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
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
How a Kering and adidas-Led Consortium Aims to Dry Out Fashion’s Water Problem
Global accelerator Fashion for Good has announced a new consortium, the D(R)YE Factory of the Future project, backed by Kering and adidas, among others, aimed at reducing water use in textile production. The initiative is directed at accelerating the fashion industry’s shift to dry textile processing—methods that use little to no water, produce no wastewater and reduce overall energy use.
Is this the Future of Fashion?
Fashion for Good has launched the D(R)YE Factory of the Future initiative in a bid to clean up one of the most polluting processes in the industry. It is in the pre-treatment and colouration phases of textile production that the highest emissions of the fashion value chain are generated. To combat this, the new global consortium project led will bring together innovations that can transform these stages and pave the way for a seismic shift in processing techniques from wet to dry.
Fashion for Good Launches D(R)YE Factory of the Future Project
Fashion Players Team Up to Slash Textiles' Water and Carbon Footprint
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 is 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
How Can Companies Recycle Clothes Back Into Clothes?
Polyester is in almost all of your clothing, and it’s almost impossible to recycle. Some innovators are looking beyond turning plastic bottles into fabric.
Meet the Innovator: Ecovative
Meet the Innovator: Infinited Fiber Company
The Fashion Charter is on track to miss its key goal. What now?
In a recent report, the UN Fashion Charter said there’s still a long way to go to meet its net-zero emissions goal, and signatories are dropping. It’s raised questions about impact and accountability.
