“Just Dye It”: Nike delivers sustainable textiles

In a milestone for the development of waterless dyeing using carbon dioxide (CO2), NIKE Inc and its innovation partners came together to celebrate the opening of Far Eastern New Century Corps new dyeing facility in Taiwan on 5th December, 2013. The facility features the Supercritical CO2 technology invented by DyeCoo Textile Systems B V which uses recyclable carbon dioxide as an application medium in the fabric dyeing process, thereby eliminating the use of water and other process chemicals.

"As a key innovation partner, Huntsman Textile Effects has collaborated with DyeCoo for the past three years to help bring the Supercritical CO2 textile processing technology to market. This emerging technology has the potential to revolutionise the textile manufacturing process and it is very satisfying to see the first of NIKE Incs ColorDry products derived from this new process and our dyes," says Steve Gray, Vice-President of Strategic Marketing and Planning at Huntsman Textile Effects.

The factory opening and technology demonstration attracted a great deal of attention from government leaders, energy management companies, textile mills, and global media. "Presenting a manufacturing innovation that provides environmental benefits while enhancing garment quality, the ColorDry launch attests to the successful collaboration of NIKE Inc, DyeCoo, Huntsman Textile Effects and others. Along with our progressive business partners, Huntsman Textile Effects remains deeply committed to driving innovation and sustainability in the textile industry," Gray continues.

Representatives from NIKE Inc and Far Eastern New Century posing with the waterless dyeing machines NIKE Incs new ColorDry range featuring a pink tee dyed using the TERASIL® range from Huntsman Textile Effects.