Is modal fabric better than viscose for health and environment?

Modal and viscose are both regenerated cellulose fibers, but modal uses a modified production process that is somewhat cleaner. Standard viscose manufacturing uses carbon disulfide, a toxic solvent linked to neurological damage in factory workers and environmental contamination. Modal uses the same basic chemistry but with higher fiber yields and slightly less chemical waste per unit of fabric.

However, modal still involves carbon disulfide in its production, making it less clean than Tencel lyocell, which uses a non-toxic solvent (NMMO) in a closed-loop system recovering over 99% of the chemical. From a health perspective once the fabric is finished, modal and viscose are similar: both are cellulose-based, breathable, and generally gentler on skin than synthetic fabrics.

If you are choosing between viscose and modal, modal is the marginally better option. But if you want the cleanest regenerated cellulose fiber, Tencel lyocell is the clear winner for both manufacturing impact and finished-fabric safety. ONDU prioritizes Tencel-based products for this reason, particularly from brands like Tripulse that use it in performance activewear.