Cupro

Cupro is a regenerated cellulose fiber made primarily from cotton linters, which are the short fuzzy fibers left on cottonseed after the ginning process. These fibers are dissolved using a copper-and-ammonium solution (the cuprammonium process) and then regenerated into fine filaments.

While both cupro and viscose rayon are regenerated cellulose fibers, they use different raw materials and production processes: cupro is made from cotton linters using a copper-ammonium solvent, whereas standard viscose is typically made from wood pulp treated with carbon disulfide. Cupro tends to produce finer, silkier filaments and is often used as a high-end lining material.

Cupro repurposes a cotton byproduct (linters) that would otherwise be waste, which is sometimes cited as an environmental positive. However, the cuprammonium process involves copper and ammonia chemicals, and the sustainability profile depends heavily on how those chemicals are managed and recovered by the manufacturer.

Bemberg is a brand name for cupro fiber produced by Asahi Kasei, a Japanese chemical company. It is one of the most widely recognized cupro products and is commonly used in garment linings, particularly in higher-end fashion.