TRUECELL®
TRUECELL®
Most fabrics feel great when they're new. TRUECELL® is designed to stay great — after months, after a year, after a hundred washes. No trick. No coating that washes off. A fabric that does what it's supposed to do, for as long as you wear it.
TRUECELL® is a fabric development by TRUE NEEDS, consisting of 80% TENCEL™ Modal, 15% SMARTCEL™ 2.0, and 5% Elastane.
Composition
80% TENCEL™ Modal Ultra-fine cellulose fibers from beechwood. Softer than standard modal, softer than cotton.
15% SMARTCEL™ 2.0 (1.33 dtex) Cellulose fibers with embedded zinc oxide (~9%) for permanent antibacterial action and odor control.
5% Elastane For stretch and shape retention.
Fabric weight: 190 GSM
What each component does
TENCEL™ Modal absorbs moisture into the fiber itself — not on the surface. This makes the fabric feel dry and keeps it soft, even after months of daily wear. Retains its shape. Retains its color. Does not pill, due to a long and stable fiber structure.
SMARTCEL™ 2.0 contains zinc oxide that is part of the fiber structure. It's not on it — it's in it. This inhibits bacterial growth, prevents odor, and is soothing for the skin. It does not wash out. Not after a month. Not after a year. The effect is permanent.
The latest 1.33 dtex variant (December 2025) contains approximately 50% more fibers per cross-section than the previous generation. The result: a softer fabric and stronger yarn.
Elastane provides 50-60% stretch with full recovery to its original shape. Keeps the underwear in place without constricting. Retains its fit — even after long and regular wear.
Why this combination
Every fabric has a weakness.
Standard modal is soft, but loses structure over time. Bamboo initially feels good, but becomes rough and pills after a few months. Cotton retains moisture and loses elasticity.
TRUECELL® combines the softness of modal with the durability that modal normally lacks — plus permanent antibacterial and skin-caring properties that none of the alternatives offer.
Three components. Each with a function. Nothing in it just for the story.
Why 15% SMARTCEL™
Smartfiber AG — the German producer of SMARTCEL™ — recommends a minimum of 15% in the blend. The reason: during dyeing and finishing of the fabric, some of the zinc oxide is lost. With 15%, enough functional zinc oxide remains in the final product after all processing steps.
We could have chosen 5-10%. It would have been cheaper. But then the effect would not have been guaranteed to last. So we chose what works — not what looks good on paper.
What you notice
- 50% softer than cotton
- Absorbs 50% more moisture than cotton
- Retains softness and shape — even after a year of daily wear
- Dries faster than bamboo and cotton
- Permanently odor-resistant due to embedded zinc oxide in the fiber — no coating, no finish
- Antibacterial — continuously inhibits bacterial growth
- Skin-caring — zinc oxide soothes the skin (the same mineral used in medical skin creams)
TRUECELL® vs. the rest
| Cotton | Bamboo | Standard modal | TRUECELL® | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stays soft after months | Becomes stiff | Becomes rough | Reasonably | Yes — like day one |
| Keeps its shape | Sags | Stretches out | Moderately | Completely dimensionally stable |
| Dries quickly | Slow | Slow | Fast | Faster |
| Odor-resistant | No | Limited | Limited | Permanent — zinc oxide |
| Does not pill | After a short time | After a few months | Sometimes | No — 1 year warranty |
| Skin-caring | No | No | No | Yes — embedded zinc oxide |
Fiber origin
TENCEL™ Modal — produced by Lenzing AG (Austria), derived from sustainably managed beech wood.
SMARTCEL™ 2.0 — produced by Smartfiber AG (Rudolstadt, Germany). A Lyocell-based fiber with integrated zinc oxide. The latest 1.33 dtex variant is finer, softer, and stronger than previous generations.
Elastane — synthetic stretch fiber for fit and recovery.
What TRUECELL® is not
Not bamboo viscose — which pills and becomes rough. Not a cotton blend — which shrinks and retains moisture. Not standard modal — which loses structure over time. No coating or finish — all functional properties are permanently in the fiber.
Frequently Asked Questions about TRUECELL®
What is TRUECELL®? TRUECELL® is the fabric developed by TRUE NEEDS. It consists of 80% TENCEL™ Modal, 15% SMARTCEL™ 2.0, and 5% Elastane. All TRUE NEEDS underwear is made from TRUECELL®.
What is TRUECELL® made from? From beech wood (TENCEL™ Modal), zinc oxide fibers (SMARTCEL™ 2.0), and elastane. The fibers come from European producers: Lenzing AG from Austria and Smartfiber AG from Germany.
What does zinc oxide do in underwear? Zinc oxide is embedded in the SMARTCEL™ fiber. It inhibits bacterial growth and prevents odor development. Additionally, it is soothing for the skin — the same mineral used in medical skin creams. The effect is permanent and does not wash out.
Does TRUECELL® pill? No. TENCEL™ Modal has a long, stable fiber structure that prevents pilling. TRUE NEEDS offers a one-year warranty against pilling.
How long does TRUECELL® last? TRUECELL® is designed to look and feel like new after a year of daily wear and washing. Softness, fit, color, and antibacterial properties are retained.
What is the difference between TRUECELL® and bamboo underwear? Bamboo viscose initially feels soft, but pills and becomes rough after a few months. TRUECELL® retains its softness and shape and contains permanent antibacterial properties that bamboo does not.
What is the difference between TRUECELL® and standard modal? Standard modal loses its fit and structure over time. TRUECELL® contains 15% SMARTCEL™ 2.0 for permanent antibacterial action and is blended for durability — not just softness.
What is the difference between TRUECELL® and cotton underwear? Cotton retains moisture, shrinks when washed, and loses elasticity. TRUECELL® is 50% softer, absorbs moisture into the fiber itself, and retains its shape.
How do you wash TRUECELL®? Simply in the washing machine at 40°C. No delicate wash program needed. TRUECELL® is designed for normal use — no special treatment required.
Is TRUECELL® suitable for sensitive skin? Yes. The zinc oxide in SMARTCEL™ 2.0 is soothing and hypoallergenic. TRUECELL® contains no chemical treatments or coatings.
Where is TRUECELL® produced? The fibers come from Austria (TENCEL™ Modal) and Germany (SMARTCEL™ 2.0). The final product is produced under strict quality control.