Processing
Fibres, yarns, fabrics or garments go through multiple processing steps to achieve the performance and aesthetic properties desired by brands and consumers. These steps can be broadly categorised into pretreatment, colouration and finishing. The processing stage can be lengthy, technically complex and consumes a huge amount of water, chemistry and energy, so optimising and finding new innovations is crucially important.
Projects
Startups Are Vying to Fix One of Fashion’s Fossil-Fueled Secrets
Transferring dye to fabric is incredibly carbon-intensive. Newer sustainable techniques, including coloring with carbon dioxide, may help.
What is circularity?
Textile Processing - How disruptive innovation can pave the way to a sustainable fashion supply chain | Part II
Textile Processing - How disruptive innovation can pave the way to a sustainable fashion supply chain | Part I
What is textile processing? Understanding the fashion supply chain and its environmental impact
Fashion for Good Develops a Sustainable Dyestuff Library
Turning Waste into Black Pigments
Fashion for Good launched the Black Pigment Pilot project on Tuesday with partners Bestseller, Birla Cellulose, Kering and PVH Corp., in collaboration with Paradise Textiles, and innovators Graviky Labs, Living Ink and Nature Coatings. The project aims to validate and scale black pigments derived from waste feedstocks such as industrial carbon, algae and wood that could replace synthetic dyes and offer a more sustainable means of textile production with a lower carbon impact. [SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED]
From Waste to Black Pigment
Innovators
Lamoral Coatings
Lamoral commercialises a high-performance, bio-based, fluor-free coating to replace today’s PFAS coatings and improve current C-0 offerings. With a bio-based, PFC- and MEKO-free truly durable water repellent that protects garments and their users from the elements. (Netherlands)
CleanKore
CleanKore’s patented technology modifies the denim dye range to eliminate Potassium Permanganate spray, lower the carbon footprint & improve sustainability throughout the supply chain without increasing cost. (US)
GRINP
GRINP develops and produces machines using their proprietary atmospheric plasma technology. Their industrial machines can replace traditional pre-treatments such as bleaching. The technology can be used on any fibre. Founded in 2005, (Italy).
Dyerecycle
DyeRecycle has developed a technology that enables the reuse and recycling of dyes directly from textile waste for use in the dyeing of new fabrics. A patented solvent is used allowing for reduced chemical, water and energy usage, and the decoloured fabric/fibres can feed into recycling processes allowing new end of use streams. Founded in 2020 (UK).
Ever Dye
Ever Dye has developed a novel dyeing process with biobased pigments including a proprietary pretreatment, that allows for dyeing at room temperature on cellulosic yarn and fabric. The process utilises less energy than conventional dyeing and no use of petro-chemicals, and is also faster than traditional methods. Founded in 2021.
AN HERBALS
An Herbals has a patented circular herbal dye extraction, herbal dyeing and bioprocessing technology, that converts waste from the forest, food and ayurvedic medicine industries to dyes that are non-toxic with self-binding, antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti odour, UV resistant and mosquito repellent properties for up to 50 washes in all textiles. Founded in 2019 (India).
Fermentech Labs
Fermentech Labs is addressing the disposal of agricultural and forest residues, such as straw, peels and pine needles, through a patented biotechnology using microorganisms. They convert organic waste, otherwise destined for incineration, into industrial enzymes that are used for textile bio-polishing, desizing and bio-scouring and by utilising these sustainable feedstocks, support farmers to have an alternative income stream. Founded in 2017 (India).
Gaiacel
Gaiacel has developed a novel dyeing innovation to make industrial rope and slasher dyeing processes sustainable and cost-effective. Their patented nanocellulose hydrogel along with dye particles sticks to textile surfaces and eliminates the need for multiple dipping, indigo reduction and additional chemicals, making the process less water and energy intensive compared to conventional indigo dyeing. Founded in 2022 (USA).
Latest
Setting up a sustainable fashion company? It's really possible if you keep these choices in mind.
Despite a brilliant idea, innovative design or strong name, sustainably running a company as a starting entrepreneur can be difficult. [DUTCH ARTICLE]
Can the fashion industry move from recycled bottles to reused threads?
There’s probably enough clothing on the planet that there’s no need to spin another new fibre. In the United States and European Union almost 22 million tonnes of textiles are thrown out every year. The waste is found everywhere from the ocean to the Atacama Desert.
The circular fashion challenge: Can AI help to close the loop?
As the concept of circular fashion has gained traction, researchers and entrepreneurs are developing tools they hope brands will implement to finally close the loop. One of the latest is new AI sorting technology developed by California-based company Refiberd.
