Lenzing offers eco-alternatives to the denim industry

The Lenzing Group
is enhancing sustainable offerings for the denim industry with TENCELâ„¢
branded modal fibres with Indigo Color technology. The pioneering Indigo Color
technology behind this new market offering incorporates indigo pigment directly
into TENCELâ„¢ branded modal fibres using a one-step spun-dyeing
process. This delivers superior colour fastness relative to conventional indigo
dyeing whilst using substantially fewer resources. This innovative offering is
awarded with the EU Ecolabel, a label of environmental excellence awarded to
products meeting high environmental standards throughout their life cycle.

Development
of Indigo Color technology to enhance denim sustainability

The
denim industry’s demand for eco-responsible alternatives is growing rapidly, as
brands and supply chain partners seek greater sustainability. Lenzing has
been working closely with such partners to counteract environmentally harmful
denim production processes via the botanic origin of its raw materials and
responsible production processes.

Denim
remains an important market for Lenzing, and the introduction of TENCELâ„¢ modal
with Indigo Color technology is designed to help reduce the ecological
footprint of denim fabrics and garments. Produced in Austria, predominantly
from beech wood derived from sustainably managed wood sources, this new
offering has been designated BioPreferred^® by the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Innovation
is at the core of what we do, from sustainable fiber sourcing through industry
leading features and production processes, with the ever-present goal of safeguarding
our environment,” said Florian Heubrandner, Vice President Global Textiles
Business at Lenzing AG. “By upending traditional manufacturing
processes and implementing our pioneering technology along with renewable and
eco-responsible materials, TENCELâ„¢ Modal with Indigo Color
technology sets a new benchmark for indigo application and sustainability
in the denim industry.”

Among
early launch collaborators for TENCELâ„¢ Modal with Indigo Color technology is
Adriano Goldschmied,
founder of House of Gold, who is widely regarded as the “Godfather of Denim”
for his progressive vision in denim development. “The TENCEL™ brand is leading
revolutionary change for the denim industry and it has always been one of my
go-to eco-fibers for my collections,” stated Goldschmied. “We are thrilled to
collaborate and launch the ‘Seed of Joy’ concept capsule with woven, circular
and sweater knit fabrics using TENCELâ„¢ modal with Indigo Color technology, in
partnership with mills such as Blue Diamond and In The Loop, as well as
machinery producer Shima Seiki.”

Indigo
Color technology elevates production standards and significantly reduces waste

Indigo
Color technology builds upon the strong credentials of TENCELâ„¢ modal fibres
with new benefits. Compared to conventional indigo dyeing, the colour retention
of TENCELâ„¢ modal with Indigo Color technology is superior through dry
and wet crocking and rubbing. Despite resistance to home-laundry fading,
wash-down effects for denim products can be achieved using commercial laundry
techniques. TENCELâ„¢ modal fibres with Indigo Color technology are
inherently versatile and enable implementation in a range of multi-fiber
blends.

Compared
to water and energy intensive conventional indigo dyeing, this technology
provides indigo colouration with substantial water, chemical and electricity
savings, along with less wastewater produced, and no heat energy used. In
addition, a specially commissioned indigo pigment from dyestuff manufacturer
DyStar^®, ensures that TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology can
be certified with STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX^®, guaranteeing ultra-low
levels of aniline. Günther Widler, Head of Technology, Denim
of DyStar^® said, “This specially commissioned indigo
pigment is based on more than a decade of our working experiences on Indigo
Synthesis in Germany. Twenty-five years ago, we invented the most eco awarded
DyStar^® Indigo Vat 40% to meet the demand for sustainable
manufacturing and production.”

To make
the commercial launch of TENCELâ„¢ Modal with Indigo Color technology
possible, Lenzing has partnered with leading supply chain partners
including denim mills – Candiani
and Cone Denim.

“With driving
sustainability at our core, we look forward to a fruitful collaboration with
the production of this eco-responsible fiber type,” said Alberto Candiani,
Global Manager of Candiani. “TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color Technology also
represents a great product to expand denim’s performances and aesthetics around
sustainability itself.”

Steve
Maggard, President of Cone Denim, adds, “Lenzing has long been an industry
leader in sustainable fibres. With consumers being more eco-conscious, the
denim industry has to evolve and innovate in smarter materials to stay
efficient and competitive. We are proud to partner with the TENCELâ„¢ brand to
launch Indigo Color technology for modal fibres and promote greater
sustainability for denim.”