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Dr Manas Kumar Sarkar, Teaching Fellow from the Institute of Textiles and Clothing at PolyU, gave an interview with Ming Pao Daily News to compare the differences among various artificial textiles.

According to Dr Sarkar, Viscose, a cheaper alternative to silk which is commonly used in the fashion industry, is made from natural fibres like wood and cotton. However, the manufacturing process involves NaOH, carbon disulfide and other chemical solvents, which is hazardous to humans and the environment. 

Lyocell, or Tencel as the brand name, is a greener alternative in the market. Also made of wood pulp, the manufacturer of Tencel claims the wood is lumbered from sustainable forests. Besides, the solvent used, NMMO, is organic, nontoxic and almost completely reusable. 

Dr Sarkar opines that both Viscose and Tencel are made of wood pulp and therefore consume natural resources. As a consumer, our responsibility is to buy clothes that are more durable so as to prolong their lives and reduce wastes. 

Apart from wood pulp, a textile called Cupro made of cotton linter is commonly known for its environmental friendliness. However, Dr Sarkar clarified that the manufacturing process of Cupro, or Cuprammonium rayon, involves copper and ammonia. While ammonia is corrosive and hazardous to our respiratory tracts, copper sulfate released during the process is harmful to both human eyes and the environment.