Viscose (or viscose rayon) is a man-made fiber composed of 100% regenerated cellulose discovered in 1891 and the first commercial production was undertaken in 1905 by Courtaulds. It is made from cotton linter or wood pulp, usually obtained from spruce and pine trees. Initially, viscose was called ‘Artificial silk’ and later named as ‘rayon’ because of its brightness and similarities in structure with cotton (Sunray & Cotton).

The other two regenerated cellulose fibers are cuprammonium (Cupro®) and polynosic (Modal). In the USA these three regenerated cellulose fibers are still referred to collectively by the generic term rayon. But the International Standardisation