Archroma, a global leader in
specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, today announced a
strategic partnership with technology
innovator CleanKore, aiming to advance sustainable dyeing processes throughout the denim supply chain. The
agreement will allow Archroma and CleanKore to promote the benefits of each
other’s technologies.
This includes Archroma’s
robust catalog of dyes and specialty chemicals along with CleanKore’s patented process of dyeing yarns
at the denim mill that completely eliminates
the need for potassium permanganate (PP) spray and laser booster to
achieve the bright white abrasion effect
in the garment finishing process.
The result is a large and
circular bright white core with a small ring of indigo dye. The technology does not just eliminate the
chemicals associated in the PP spray and laser
process, which is much safer for denim workers, it also allows to save
significant amounts of water and energy
throughout the manufacturing process from fabric to garmenting.
CleanKore initially looked
at eliminating potassium permanganate due to its being classified as hazardous
if inhaled or ingested, or in case of contact with the skin or the eye. It is also considered very toxic to
aquatic life.
No new equipment or
capital expenses are needed to implement the CleanKore technology, which works on all denim fabric,
including dark indigo, sulfur top/bottom and
sulfur black.
This is where Archroma
comes into the picture. Its global technical team of denim coloration specialists will provide support
to denim mills seeking to implement the
CleanKore technology and develop the desired looks and effects – with
the right colours and chemical systems
for their production set-up.
CleanKore estimates that
the technology allows to save up to 15 liters of water per garment, or the equivalent to the drinking
needs of 5 people per day, and up to 0.51 kWh
of energy per garment, or the equivalent of five 100-watt light bulbs on
for 1 hour. The CleanKore technology
also leads to a 10 to 20 per cent increase in production throughput, as a result of a faster garment wash-down and the
elimination of PP spray.
CleanKore, CEO, Darryl Costin Jr, said, “We have successfully
proven the technology with mill partners such as Arvind and other denim mills in Pakistan,
Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, Thailand and the United States. The response from the industry has
been overwhelmingly positive. Having a
partner in Archroma, one that is highly respected for their innovation
and emphasis on sustainability throughout
the industry, will allow us to take CleanKore to the next level.â€Â
Umberto Devita, Global Indigo Manager at the Archroma Global
Competence Center for Denim &
Casualwear,
added: “CleanKore is perfectly aligned with the 3 pillars of ‘The Archroma Way to a Sustainable World: Safe,
efficient, enhanced’. ‘Safe’ through the
elimination of a potentially harmful substance and the protection of the
denim workers, ‘Efficient’ through the
reduction of resource consumption, improved productivity and cost effective
profile. And ‘Enhanced’ through the gorgeous colors and effects allowed
with Archroma’s innovations and systems,
in particular our aniline-free* Denisol® Pure Indigo and Diresul® sulfur dyes. We look forward to
help promoting an innovation that will help
with many of the challenges facing our denim customers throughout the
world. Because it’s our nature.”