Śyama Denim: A Legacy Recast In Indigo

From a family legacy rooted in textile trading to a vertically integrated denim manufacturing hub, Śyama Denim is not just a business story, it is a story of vision, values and verve.

In the heart of the denim world, a new name has quietly emerged, Śyama Denim. But while the name may sound new, the legacy behind it runs deep. Under the aegis of the seasoned Sri Shyam Fashion India Group, Śyama Denim is the product of over five decades of textile wisdom transformed for the modern age. What began as a trading enterprise in the 1970s, has now evolved into one of India’s most forward-thinking denim manufacturers. “Our journey with denim started around 1995,” recalls Saurav Jalan, Director at Sri Shyam Fashion India. “We were trading denim when it was just beginning to catch on in India.”

Fast forward to 2015, the group took a bold leap, transforming from traders to manufacturers. Śyama Denim was born as a weaving unit. But this was only the beginning. With each passing year, the company deepened its commitment to denim. In a transformative phase around end of 2024, Śyama Denim revealed its composite unit, bringing weaving, dyeing and finishing under one roof. It was not just a business expansion; it was a declaration of self-sufficiency, quality control and sustainable growth.

Today, Śyama Denim stands as a vertically integrated, 21st-century denim powerhouse with a production capacity of 20 lakh metres per month, up from just 6 to 7 lakh in its early years. But beyond numbers, it is versatility that defines Śyama’s offerings. From lightweight 4 oz to heavyweight 16 oz denims, and from classic indigos to rich sulphur blacks, 3×1 dobbies to stretch blends featuring lyocell (Tencel), viscose, polyester and spandex, Śyama caters to the ever-evolving demands of global fashion.

This agility is backed by a keen market instinct. Śyama’s product development team stays in constant touch with clients and trade partners, presenting fresh collections bi-monthly and benchmarking against global leaders from Turkey to China. “We’re not just watching trends, we’re part of them,” Saurav explains.

Yet Śyama Denim’s true strength lies in the way it seamlessly blends tradition with innovation and ethics with efficiency.

Sustainability is not a checkbox for Śyama, it is the soul of its operations. “We are a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant,” affirms Prabir Bandyopadhyay, Vice President of Sri Shyam Fashion India. “Every drop of water used in dyeing and finishing is recovered. Our caustic recovery unit allows us to reuse chemicals efficiently.” Energy conservation is equally prioritized. The 13-metre-high plant located in Gujarat is naturally ventilated, reducing reliance on artificial cooling. Insulated roofing and open layouts enhance airflow, keeping the working environment comfortable even in peak summer.

Śyama Denim’s material choices mirror this commitment. BCI cotton, recycled polyester from PET bottles, and eco-friendly fibres like Tencel and viscose form the base of company’s fabrics. The company uses only ZDHC-certified chemicals and is in the process of acquiring GOTS and OEKO-TEX certifications. “We have a strict policy, no uncertified chemical is allowed inside our plant,” says Prabir.

But perhaps the most remarkable part of Śyama Denim’s journey is its deliberate investment in homegrown technology. Where many chase imported solutions, Śyama has worked closely with Indian machinery manufacturers to co-create equipment that is both cost-effective and cutting-edge.

“Our machines are essentially custom-designed,” shares Saurav. “We’ve used our experience to guide machine builders on exactly what we need, matching global standards with Indian ingenuity.”

Take their dyeing line, for instance. At the core lies a tailor-made slasher dyeing range from Jupiter Comtex, outfitted with 10 dye baths, high-capacity tanks of over 2,300 litres, and a rare but game-changing addition: an integrated steamer. This innovation allows for richer, deeper shades with minimal dye usage, all the while enhancing eco-efficiency. Very few new plants use steamers in slasher dyeing,” notes Vaibhav Jalan, Director, Sri Shyam Fashion India, adding, “It gives us a huge edge—in quality and sustainability.”

Complementing this is robust fabric processing and finishing machinery from Yamuna Machines, known for automation and energy efficiency. This includes a combi range for complete desize and mercerizing operations and a robust finishing machine with special provisions for in line desizing and a up to date stentor with coating attachment. Combi range includes Kusters padder with double swimming rolls which enables it to overdye in any sulphur and Reactive dyes In weaving, Śyama employs a hybrid model with high-speed shuttleless looms, including machines from Picanol, ensuring consistent, high-quality output.

As the company prepares for global brand audits and partnerships, it has invested in a state-of-the-art in-house lab for testing and compliance, designed to meet the most rigorous international standards. From a family legacy rooted in textile trading to a vertically integrated denim manufacturing hub, Śyama Denim is not just a business story, it is a story of vision, values and verve.

And as the denim world watches for the next big wave, Śyama Denim is ready, not just to ride it, but to lead it.

(Article by Henry Dsouza, Associate Editor of Textile Insights)