MATERIALS
ORGANIC COTTON
Starting from untreated, natural seeds, organic cotton is grown without synthetic fertilizers. Organic cotton crop rotation and composting maintain the health of naturally moist soil by creating a biodiverse, balanced ecosystem. As a result, organic cotton plants are more resistant to pests and disease eliminates the need for the use of pesticides which are often suspected to be carcinogenic or neurotoxic.
As a result of the cleaner growing process, farm workers are afforded a healthier work environment and the resulting uncontaminated plant waste can be used for other purposes - feed for livestock, oil production, etc.
TENCEL™ LYOCELL
TENCEL™ Lyocell is a type of rayon cellulose fiber derived from sustainable wood sources that are harvested and certified according to Lenzing's strict guidelines. Low toxicity solvents are used (and recycled to be used again) to convert wood pulp into fiber.
TENCEL™ Lyocell is the only fully closed loop cellulose fiber on the market. Features include good yarn tenacity and a smooth hand, TENCEL™ Lyocell is very gentle on the skin. It is also thermal regulating, naturally resistant to bacteria and biodegradable.
Ask Us about getting the TENCEL™ Lyocell you buy from KenDor certified by Lenzing so that you can use the TENCEL™ Lyocell name on your products.
MODAL & TENCEL™ MODAL
Also a cellulose fiber, Modal & TENCEL™ Modal are mainly derived from renewable Beechwood Trees sourced from sustainable forests.
Developed as a second generation variation of rayon, Modal & TENCEL™ Modal have a very high wet strength and are extra soft touch making it ideal for garments coming directly in contact with the skin.
Modal & TENCEL™ Modal can be machine washed and tumbled dry because the fibers are dimensionally stable. We recommend that garments made from KenDor Modal & TENCEL™ Modal qualities are hung to dry both because of the other yarns included in our blends (cotton, spandex, etc) as well as to preserve garments for as long as possible.
Ask Us about getting the TENCEL™ Modal you buy from KenDor certified by Lenzing so that you can use the TENCEL™ Modal name on your products.
RECYCLED POLYESTER (rPet)
In lieu of relying on new petroleum to produce conventional polyester, Recycled Polyester, otherwise known as rPet (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate), is made from post consumer plastic waste including plastic bottles that have been diverted from landfills. In doing so, recycled polyester conserves water and energy while emitting less greenhouse gases.
Garments created from recycled polyester aim to be continuously recycled with no degradation of quality, allowing us to minimize wastage. This means polyester garment manufacturing could potentially become a closed loop system.
Once known to be rough and a bit unpliable, rPet has improved so much that it is now virtually interchangeable with conventional polyester while being environmentally superior.
KenDor offers fabrics made from Unifi's Repreve® and Chungshing's Greenplus® yarns.
MERINO WOOL
From farm to fabric, Merino wool is a biodegradable, natural and renewable fiber.
Ethically produced from non-mulesed Australian Merino sheep, Merino wool is is made from exceptionally fine fibers that biodegrade over time. Soft, comfortable, moisture wicking, odor resistant, temperature regulating and natural UV protection that helps to prevent sun damage are all benefits of Merino premium offering.
Click Here for more information about Merino wool.
Click Here for Merino Wool Care Instructions.
HEMP
Hemp textiles are made from industrial 'cannibus sativa' fibers. Hemp plants grow very quickly, without the use of chemical herbicides or pesticides and produce high yield commercial crops which optimize both land use and available resources. Hemp also returns a significant amount of the nutrients it takes from the soil leaving it rich and ready for new crops.
Exceptional tensile strength, naturally hypo-allergenic, offering UV protection and with the ability to help with thermo-regulation, hemp textiles are multipurpose and multi-functional.
LINEN
Conventional linen:
Requiring far fewer chemical inputs than cotton and little to no irrigation, linen, made from flax, is by nature a more environmental fabric than most.
Organic linen:
Boasting all of the same benefits as conventional linen, organic linen has the added benefit of the seeds, sprouts, and soil are spared from the use of fungicides and pesticides.
Breathable, lightweight and slightly textured, linen softens with time and wear.
UMORFIL® /COLLAGEN
UMORFIL® is a new technology in amino acid bionic fibers. Its name originates from the combination of 'Umor' (Latin for moisture) and 'Fil' (French for yarn).
Made of ocean collagen peptide from recycled fish scales, UMORFIL® offers an environmentally sustainable option boasting naturally occurring wicking & antimicrobial properties.
Ask Us about getting UMORFIL® hangtags