A Complete Analysis of the 3 Major Fibers: The Differences Between Natural, Regenerated, and Synthetic Fibers

Preface

Have you ever stood in front of your closet, wondering why some T-shirts are breathable and dry while others feel stuffy and uncomfortable? Why do some skirts drape smoothly while others wrinkle easily?

The answer lies in a small word on the clothing label—fiber.

Understanding fibers not only allows you to make wise choices when shopping but also helps you truly comprehend the performance and value of garments. Today, we’ll use a diagram and three major categories to clearly explain “natural, regenerated, and synthetic” fibers, making you a shopping expert from now on!

Core Knowledge Points

• Fiber is the decisive foundation of textile performance, affecting the comfort, breathability, appearance, and functional performance of clothing.
• Fibers are divided into three major categories based on their source: natural fibers, regenerated fibers, and synthetic fibers.
• Viscose (viscose fiber) belongs to regenerated cellulose fibers, positioned between natural and synthetic.
• Natural fibers are skin-friendly and breathable but wrinkle and shrink easily; synthetic fibers have high strength, are wear-resistant, and can be functionalized.
• Regenerated fibers combine natural comfort with industrial controllability, making them a balanced choice in modern textiles.
• The future development direction of fibers is green, circular, and high-performance sustainable innovation.

I. Why is it essential to understand fibers?

Simply put, fiber is the DNA of textiles. It determines a garment’s:

• Comfort: How is its moisture absorption, breathability, and skin-friendliness?
• Appearance and Texture: Is it lustrous and magnificent, or simple and unadorned?
• Performance: Is it wear-resistant, easy to care for, and elastic?

From daily wear to functional outdoor gear, choosing the right fiber is choosing half the experience.

II. Fiber Classification Structure Chart

In the modern textile industry, fibers are divided into three major categories:

1. Natural Fibers
2. Regenerated Fibers
3. Synthetic Fibers

These three form a complete spectrum from “gifts of nature” to “technological innovation.” The following chart clearly illustrates their hierarchical relationship:

For example, Viscose is located in the “regenerated cellulose fiber” category under “man-made fibers”—

it originates from natural plant cellulose but is formed through chemical dissolution and regeneration, belonging to the “semi-natural, semi-synthetic” transitional type of fiber.

III. Natural Fibers: Gifts from Nature, the Classic Choice for Comfort and Breathability

Natural Fibers: Gifts from Nature

Natural fibers come directly from plants or animals in nature, require no chemical restructuring, and are the earliest textile materials used by humans.

1. Plant-based Fibers

• Cotton High cellulose content (about 90%), soft, breathable, and highly absorbent, making it an ideal choice for T-shirts, shirts, and bedding.
• Linen / Hemp / Ramie Long and stiff fibers that are quick-drying and moisture-wicking, a perfect match for summer clothing.
• Bamboo Fiber (Natural type) Contains natural bamboo kun components, possessing certain antibacterial properties, but it is different from “bamboo pulp regenerated fiber.”

2. Animal-based Fibers

• Wool “A natural thermostat,” it offers both warmth and elasticity, commonly found in high-quality sweaters and coats.
• Silk A natural protein filament with a soft luster and strong breathability, representing high-end textiles.
• Cashmere Finer and softer than wool, rare and expensive.

The advantages of natural fibers lie in “comfort and eco-friendliness,” but their disadvantages are high cost, being prone to wrinkling and shrinking, and lower strength.

IV. Regenerated Fibers: Modern Reinvention of Natural Raw Materials

Regenerated fibers (Regenerated Cellulose Fibers) use natural cellulose from plants as raw material. They extract cellulose from natural substances (like wood pulp, bamboo pulp) and reshape it after dissolution through a chemical process of “dissolving → regenerating → spinning.” It possesses the comfort gene of natural fibers while improving some of their properties.

Typical Representatives and Technical Features

Name	English Name	Raw Material Source	Process Features	Performance
Viscose Rayon	Viscose Fiber	Wood pulp, cotton linter	Classic vulcanization regeneration method (CS₂ + NaOH)	Soft, drapes well, good dyeability, low wet strength
Modal	Modal	Beechwood pulp	Improved viscose, HWM structure	High wet strength, smooth feel, low shrinkage
Lyocell (Tencel)	Tencel	Wood pulp	Green NMMO solvent method, no sulfur pollution	Eco-friendly, high strength, breathable
Cupro	Cupro Fiber	Cotton linter	Cuprammonium solution dissolution method	Smooth, close-fitting, excellent breathability
Acetate	Acetate Fiber	Cellulose esterification	Thermoplastic regenerated fiber	Good luster, suitable for linings and fashion

Expert Tip: Many people mistakenly believe Viscose is purely natural. Although its raw material is natural wood pulp, it belongs to “regenerated fibers” within “man-made fibers” because it undergoes a chemical regeneration process, rather than being a “natural fiber.”

Brief Process Description (using Viscose as an example)

1. Pulping of raw materials (wood pulp / cotton linter)
2. Alkalization reaction (NaOH treatment)
3. Reaction with carbon disulfide (CS₂) to form cellulose xanthate
4. Dissolving in a dilute alkali solution to form a “viscose solution”
5. Extruding through a spinneret into an acid bath for regeneration into fiber
6. Washing, bleaching, and drying to form viscose staple fiber or filament

V. Synthetic Fibers: Products of Modern Industrial Technology

Synthetic fibers are produced through the polymerization of petrochemical raw materials (such as ethylene, benzene, propylene).

Their advantages are high strength, wear resistance, ease of maintenance, and controllable performance, making them the core materials of modern functional textiles.

Name	English Name	Main Characteristics	Application
Polyester	Polyester	High strength, wrinkle-resistant, not easily deformed	Workwear, curtains, sofa fabric
Nylon	Nylon	Wear-resistant, good elasticity, low moisture absorption	Sportswear, backpacks, ropes
Acrylic	Acrylic	Warm, lightweight, brightly colored	Sweaters, knitwear
Spandex	Spandex	Extremely elastic, good recovery	Tights, sportswear
Polypropylene	Polypropylene	Lightweight, moisture-proof, cost-effective	Industrial fabrics, carpet backing

Key Tips: Synthetic fibers can be endowed with properties such as flame retardancy, anti-static, waterproofing, and anti-radiation through a Functional Masterbatch.

VI. Systematic Comparison of the Three Fiber Types

Item	Natural Fibers	Regenerated Fibers	Synthetic Fibers
Raw Material Source	Plants and animals	Natural cellulose (wood pulp, etc.)	Petrochemicals
Core Advantages	Skin-friendly, breathable, comfortable	Soft, drapes well, good moisture absorption	Wear-resistant, anti-wrinkle, high strength
Core Disadvantages	Prone to wrinkling, slightly poor stability	Weaker in wet strength (some types)	Poor breathability, static electricity
Eco-friendliness	Excellent (biodegradable)	Medium to excellent (depends on the process)	Poor (difficult to degrade)
Representatives	Cotton, linen, silk, wool	Tencel™, Modal, viscose	Polyester, nylon, spandex

VII. Sustainability and the Rise of Eco-Friendly Fibers

Under the “dual carbon goals” and ESG guidelines, the textile industry is gradually transitioning towards circular regeneration and low-carbon production.

New trends include:

• Bio-based Polymers Such as bio-based polyester (Bio-PET) and PLA (polylactic acid fiber).
• Closed-Loop Systems The NMMO solvent recovery rate for Lyocell is as high as 99%, being non-toxic and sulfur-free.
• Regenerated cellulose innovation For example, GRSFRTex® (Begoodtex’s proprietary functional regenerated flame-retardant fiber).
• Functional + Sustainable Through functional masterbatch technology, properties like flame retardancy, anti-static, and antibacterial are integrated at the fiber level, achieving both durability and greenness.

Conclusion: The Wisdom Behind Material Evolution

The history of fiber evolution is a process of humanity re-understanding “nature” and “technology.”

From the natural gifts of cotton and silk, to the chemical regeneration of viscose and Tencel, to the technological innovation of functionalized polyester,

each advancement is making textile materials safer, more comfortable, and more sustainable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)