Archroma, G-Star Raw & Advance Denim Promote Cleaner Production

Archroma has been working with denim brand G-Star Raw and sustainable denim producer Advance Denim to produce denim in authentic blue shades without the aniline impurity carried through from the synthesis of standard synthetic indigo.

In traditional denim production, this aniline remains bound with the indigo pigment on the fabric; the remaining aniline is discharged during the dyeing and washing process.

“This can be a problem because aniline is toxic to aquatic life and two-thirds of aniline waste currently ends up in wastewater discharge where it could potentially pollute waterways and the ocean,” Archroma informed in a press release.

Archroma developed Denisol Pure Indigo 30 to answer this key challenge as a 30 percent pre-reduced indigo solution, Denisol Pure Indigo 30 makes it possible to produce indigo-dyed denim without aniline impurities throughout the process.

“Easy to use with automated dosing, Denisol Pure Indigo 30 significantly reduces the water needed for preparation, washing and wastewater treatment compared to indigo grains,” the Swiss company added.

“It also reduces hazardous chemical consumption while allowing high reproducibility and creating the authentic and iconic deep indigo shades traditionally associated with denim,” Archroma added.

“If we remove aniline from the indigo dyes, we also remove it from the denim production process and its wastewater, and thus eliminate the risk of pollution,” Umberto De Vita from Archroma said.

“Denim that is free of aniline can also be more efficiently and sustainability recycled and reused, making circularity a more viable option,” De Vita added.

“We are delighted to see trendsetters like G-Star Raw ramping up aniline-free production with Denisol Pure Indigo 30, proving that sustainability is achievable with improved productivity and authentic deep indigo shades,” he informed

“To be here as the denim brand in the future, G-Star Raw challenges industry standards,” Rebecka Sancho from G-Star Raw said.

“We push boundaries in our journey to further close the loop by using sustainable materials, clean chemistry and by designing for durability and reuse,” she too added.

“Denisol Pure Indigo 30 helps us to minimise pollution and improve the environmental impact of our products without compromising on iconic indigo colours,” Sancho also stated.

G-Star Raw is working towards making 20 percent of its entire collection from Cradle to Cradle Certified fabrics by 2025.

Its partnership with Archroma and Advance Denim contributes to this goal, since the aniline-free Denisol holds a Gold Level Material Health Certificate from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

Denisol Pure Indigo 30 is also compliant with other major eco-standards and the requirements of leading retailers and brands.