PlastfriIs viscose (rayon) plastic?
No — viscose is not plastic. It is regenerated plant cellulose, so it biodegrades. Its issues are chemical processing and forest sourcing, not petroleum.
What viscose actually is
Viscose (called rayon in the US) starts as wood pulp. The cellulose is dissolved with carbon disulfide and regenerated into fiber. No oil, no polymer synthesis — the finished fiber is chemically similar to cotton.
Because it is cellulose, viscose biodegrades in months rather than centuries, and its shed fibers are not microplastics.
The real concerns
Carbon disulfide is nasty for factory workers when unmanaged, and irresponsible producers have been linked to old-growth forest logging. Look for FSC-certified or branded fibers (EcoVero, Birla) if that matters to you.
How Plastfri scores it
Viscose scores 10/100 — a small weight for intensive processing, not for plastic content. A “100% viscose” dress reads Low plastic.
- Lyocell (cleaner process)
- Linen
- Cotton
Common questions
Are viscose and rayon the same?
Yes — rayon is the North American name, viscose the European one (technically viscose is the most common rayon process).
Does viscose shed microplastics?
It sheds microfibers, but they are cellulose — they biodegrade in water rather than persisting like plastic.
Plastfri spots viscose / rayon for you. Scores every product while you shop — covers, dims, or labels the high-plastic ones.
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