Tencel & Lyocell Fabric Manufacturing from India

Tencel Lyocell — produced by Austrian company Lenzing from sustainably-managed wood pulp in a closed-loop process — has become the fastest-growing sustainable cellulosic fibre. Indian mills have invested significantly in Tencel and Lyocell conversion capacity over the past five years, particularly for the fast-growing eco-fashion segment.

Fibre Types

Tencel Lyocell — Original Lenzing Lyocell, sustainably sourced eucalyptus pulp.
Tencel Modal — Beech-wood based, softer than Lyocell.
Refibra Lyocell — Includes post-industrial cotton scrap in the raw material.
Lyocell blends — With cotton, viscose, elastane, wool.

Common Blends & Constructions

100% Tencel woven — Suiting, drapy dresses, premium shirting.
Tencel-cotton blend (50/50) — Cool feel, drape improvement.
Tencel-elastane (95/5) — Yoga, activewear.
Tencel-wool — Premium tailoring blends.
Tencel-silk — Ultra-premium.

MOQs & Pricing (FOB India)

100% Tencel jersey fabric — 500m minimum, $7.50–11 per m
Tencel-cotton woven — 500m, $5.50–8 per m
Tencel-elastane yoga tee — 300 pcs, $6.20–8.50 per piece
Tencel-blend blouse — 200 pcs, $9.50–14 per piece

Certifications

Lenzing Tencel licence — Only Lenzing-authorised mills can use "Tencel" branding.
FSC / PEFC — Wood origin sustainability.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 — Chemistry.
EU Ecolabel — For end-consumer positioning.

Lead Times

Sampling: 4 weeks
Bulk production: 40–55 days
Total first-order: 12–16 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum fabric quantity per colour I can order?

Standard MOQ for made-to-order fabric is 500 metres per colour per construction. Stock fabrics may be available in 100–300m lots at premium pricing. Some mills carry "seasonal remnant" stocks at lower minimums. For custom weaves or specialty constructions, MOQ typically rises to 1,000+ metres.

How do I verify the fibre composition of my fabric shipment?

Request an independent fibre composition test (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, or Alex Stewart) on the actual bulk lot before shipment. The test verifies percentage of each fibre by weight against the specification. Cost is typically $150–300 per test and worth the certainty — mis-declared fibre content is one of the most common textile import disputes.

What lead time should I plan for custom-woven fabric?

From order confirmation: yarn procurement 2 weeks, loom setup 3 weeks (for new construction), sample and approval 2 weeks, bulk weaving 3–5 weeks, finishing and shipping preparation 1 week. Total: 12–16 weeks for a first custom weave. Repeat orders on the same construction compress to 5–7 weeks.

How is fabric priced — per metre or per kilogram?

Most fabric is priced per running metre at a standard width (e.g., 140cm or 150cm). Some technical fabrics and yarn are priced per kilogram. When comparing quotes across suppliers, verify the width and GSM — a "per metre" quote at 110cm width isn't comparable to one at 150cm width for the same GSM.

About Blueridge Trade LLP

Blueridge Trade LLP operates a dual business model. Our textile division is a direct manufacturer — we own and operate the production of our cashmere, Merino wool, silk, organic cotton, and blended fabric programmes, controlling quality from fibre sourcing through finishing. This vertical integration is what allows us to guarantee Grade A specifications and offer competitive private-label terms to international brands.

Beyond textiles, we operate as a trading and sourcing partner for industrial commodities (copper, aluminium, zinc, tin, tungsten scrap, activated carbon), botanicals and spices, export-grade packaging, and consumables. In these categories we leverage a vetted network of Indian producers rather than manufacturing in-house — giving international buyers a single consolidated point of contact for both textile manufacturing and broader Indian sourcing requirements.

Tencel & Lyocell Fabric Manufacturing from India: A Sourcing Guide