Are lyocell and modal the same?

No, though they are close relatives, both regenerated-cellulose fibers often branded Tencel. Lyocell is made by a cleaner closed-loop solvent process and is stronger and more absorbent; modal is a high-wet-modulus rayon prized chiefly for softness.

Modal is usually the softer to the touch, which is why it dominates underwear and loungewear. Lyocell is also soft but a little crisper, and stronger, which suits it to wovens and activewear.

Which is more eco-friendly?

Lyocell, generally, because its closed-loop process recovers almost all of the solvent it uses. Modal is cleaner than ordinary viscose but does not match lyocell's closed-loop recovery.

Side by side

Lyocell vs Modal

Lyocell and modal are siblings: both are regenerated-cellulose fibers made from wood pulp, both are soft and silky, and both are often sold under the Tencel umbrella. The difference is in how the cellulose is processed. Lyocell uses a closed-loop solvent spin that makes it stronger, more absorbent, and cleaner to produce. Modal is a high-wet-modulus rayon, prized above all for an exceptional softness, and is most often blended into knits.

Lyocell

No. 150

regenerated cellulose, closed-loop solvent-spun · first documented 1972

Modal

No. 151

high-wet-modulus regenerated cellulose · first documented 1950s

The differences

Aspect	Lyocell	Modal
Process	Closed-loop solvent spinning (recovers nearly all solvent).	A refined, high-wet-modulus version of the viscose process.
Strength	The stronger of the two, especially when wet.	Strong for a rayon and stable when wet, but below lyocell.
Softness	Soft and silky, slightly crisper.	Exceptionally soft, often the softer to the touch.
Absorbency	More absorbent and better at wicking.	Absorbent and breathable.
Typical use	Wovens, activewear, sheeting, blends needing strength.	Underwear, loungewear, t-shirts, soft knit blends.

Which to choose

For the strongest, most absorbent, lowest-impact of the two, lyocell; for the very softest hand in a knit, modal. They are close cousins and frequently blended with each other and with cotton, and both are far cleaner and silkier than ordinary viscose rayon.

Common questions

Are lyocell and modal the same?: No, though they are close relatives, both regenerated-cellulose fibers often branded Tencel. Lyocell is made by a cleaner closed-loop solvent process and is stronger and more absorbent; modal is a high-wet-modulus rayon prized chiefly for softness.
Which is softer?: Modal is usually the softer to the touch, which is why it dominates underwear and loungewear. Lyocell is also soft but a little crisper, and stronger, which suits it to wovens and activewear.
Which is more eco-friendly?: Lyocell, generally, because its closed-loop process recovers almost all of the solvent it uses. Modal is cleaner than ordinary viscose but does not match lyocell's closed-loop recovery.

Full entry: Lyocell Full entry: Modal

Sources & References

1.Lyocell, Wikipedia
2.Rayon, Wikipedia
3.Modal (textile), Wikipedia