Is Viscose / Rayon Vegan? Material Facts & Alternatives

Vegan status: Vegan

Also known as: Rayon (USA), Viscose (Europe), Art silk, Regenerated cellulose fibre

Origin

Plant-derived but heavily chemically processed — cellulose from wood pulp (usually beechwood, eucalyptus, or bamboo) is dissolved in carbon disulphide and sodium hydroxide, extruded through spinnerets, and regenerated into fibre.

Environmental impact

Rating: high. The viscose production process is one of the most chemically intensive in textile manufacturing. Carbon disulphide is a toxic solvent with significant environmental and worker safety implications. Deforestation is a documented concern — some viscose has been traced to ancient Indonesian or Brazilian forests. The CANOPY initiative audits viscose producers for forest sourcing.

Durability

Moderate. Soft and breathable, drapes well, but weakens significantly when wet and prone to shrinking and pilling.

Common uses

Blouses, dresses, linings, activewear, bedding, sanitary products.

Notes

Viscose is the third-most widely used textile fibre globally after polyester and cotton. Despite being plant-derived, its production process raises serious environmental concerns. The TENCEL and Modal variants use modified processes with greater chemical recovery. For the most sustainable cellulosic option, TENCEL Lyocell (closed-loop solvent process, wood traceability) is significantly preferable to standard viscose.