Distinct advantages of using TENCEL fibers for pillows

Studies have shown that fillings of TENCEL fibers are the perfect botanic alternative, and tests conducted have revealed that pillows filled with TENCEL fibers score when it comes to moisture management, volume and ease of care.

From left, Dr. Jan Beringer, Head of Development, Hohenstein Institute, M. Sc. Miriam Scheffelmeier, Project Manager Comfort, Protection & Care, Hohenstein Institute, Dr. Susanne Jary, Head of Global BD Home & Interiors, Lenzing AG, and DI. Marco Schlimpert, SVP Europe & Americas, Lenzing AG

TENCEL fibers are in use in almost every area to do with sleeping, starting with components for mattresses and mattress pads through to bed covers and linens. Another application in the bed segment is obvious: pillows with enhanced comfort.

Meet “Sherlock”, a sweating, thermal manikin test device for clothing physiology from the Hohenstein Institutes. It was used for the first time to test pillows with fillings of TENCEL fibers. Used to test the wear comfort of different kinds of textile products, Sherlock was deployed for this product category for the first time ever to test pillows of TENCEL fibers.

Miriam Scheffelmeier, Project Manager at the Hohenstein Institutes, explains: “Sherlock works in precisely defined conditions in a climatic chamber. The tests using Sherlock indicate that in pillows TENCEL fibers are leading the way to perfect moisture management. When used as a blending partner with polyester, TENCEL fibers help to improve moisture absorption. It was revealed that the higher the share of TENCEL fibers in the pillow, the better the moisture regulation becomes.”

Easy-care and full-bodied

Further research at Lenzing in relation to volume and washing tests has shown that TENCEL fibers produce very good results when combined with polyester. Pillows with this fiber combination recover quickly after exposure to weight and moisture. Of all the pillows tested, the one with a filling of down and feathers came in last since the volume recovered only very slowly. Even after washing, the pillows with TENCEL fibers performed well and are therefore ideally suited to household washing.

With pillows of TENCEL fibers, different filling levels are possible – from soft to solid and from flat to voluminous. Pillows can be designed to suit customers’ wishes in terms of the size, material and shape. A pillow for individualists that adapts to the sleeper. Say goodbye to the tension and headaches caused by non-optimized pillows!