Filatures du Parc’s patented process starts with the consumer. Recycled fibers are made from post-consumer denim collected through the Orta’s European retail partners. Jeans are sorted according to shade and reduced back to fiber by Filatures du Parc. The France-based spinner blends the recycled fiber with PET, or recycled polyester fiber made from plastic bottles. Gunzle says the end product is made with approximately 50 percent recycled denim and 50 percent PET.Denim Sustainable Innovations
Berto presented Sky & Blue, a line that showcases its new Greenpeace Detox-approved dyeing processes. The Italian mill developed new dyeing systems that can achieve intense casts that are still easy to wash. The dyes, Sky and Blue, require a lower number of dyeing tanks. With the tagline, ‘A new era of indigo,’ the dyes require less consumption of H20 and electricity, and less treatments on the garments. The result is denim in a broad range of colors from light blue to black/gray.
Despite paying homage to its past with collections like Heritage Rewind, which spotlights heavy fabrics in 70s shades, and its 130th anniversary collection with Ma Va’, Berto continues to amplifying its forward-thinking sustainable supply chain. The mill says being an “eco-sustainable company is not an arrival point, but a shared value.”
The mill’s eco efforts starts with BCI Cotton, organic cotton and econyl yarns. It’s dyeing process uses reduced amounts of water and energy, while its weaving procedures require significant reduction of energy and water consumption and reduces CO2 emissions by 20 percent. Berto’s finishing processes also cuts down CO2 by half, requiring less energy, water and chemical substances than traditional finishing processes.
Turkey-based mill, Bossa, is taking a multi-prong approach to sustainability. In addition to increasing its commitment to BCI cotton from 35 percent of its total cotton consumption in 2016 to 60 percent in 2017, the mill spotlighted three new eco projects at Bluezone.
In an effort to reduce water usage in textile processing, the mill presented Dye Art, a process that Birim Atagan, Bossa public relations manager, says completely changes the way fabric is dyed. The ecological dyeing process uses less water and therefore, requires less amount of energy consumption. The resulting look is a bright color reminiscent of old Levi’s. The mill plans to expand the Dye Art’s color palette to appeal to a broader range of customers.Denim Sustainable Innovations
Working toward zero water, Bossa touted Save Blue, a new effort to alter conventional equipment and recycling systems. By using special techniques in dyeing and finishing processes, Save Blue does exactly what its name describessaves 23 LTS of water in the dyeing of 1 MTS denim.
On the fiber technology side, the mill spotlighted Sustans, a new generation of elastic staple fiber made from DuPont Sorona PTT polymer. The polymer is made with bio-based ingredients instead of petrochemicals, eliminating the dependence on fossil fuels. Sustans’ unique molecular structure provides comfortable stretch and recovery (low growth, shrinkage and less puckering) even after multiple wears.
In true Italian style, Candiani believes “good ingredients make a good denim.” The mill shared how its special ingredient, Kitotex, and its smart dyeing technique, Indigo Juice, can combine to clean up conventional denim making.
Coined as “Save the Water Kitotex,” the patented ingredient is sourced from Chitosan, a natural polymer derived by recycling the exoskeleton of shrimp—or food industry byproduct. The polymer boasts sustainable benefits for the fabric production process and health benefits for the end user.
Kitotex replaces PVA and other harmful pollutants. Candiani uses the polymer as an ingredient in the dyeing and finishing process, allowing the mill to cut down on water and chemicals and to operate at lower temperatures. The substance is biodegradable and after the production process, it can help purify discharge water. For the consumer, Kitotex offers anti-bacterial, ant-static and anti-mite benefits.Denim Sustainable Innovations
The second ingredient in Candiani’s sustainable story, Indigo Juice, reduces the consumption of water, chemicals and energy in the laundry process. During the dyeing process, the mills keeps the indigo superficial on the yarn, meaning once the jeans are washed in the laundry, it takes only a small amount of water and energy to wash down. Indigo Juice can be used with sustainable laundry treatments, including laser, ozone and ice.Denim Sustainable Innovations
Together, Candiani says one pair of jeans made with Kitotex and Indigo Juice requires 75 percent less water than conventional denim fabric and 65 percent fewer chemicals. During the washing process, Kitotex and Indigo Juice denim consumes 60 percent fewer chemicals and 83 percent less water than conventional denim jeans that looked the exact same. Kitotex and Indigo Juice also require three fewer treatments.Denim Sustainable Innovations