Swiss textile chemicals specialist, Archroma has partnered with denim finishing technology specialist Jeanologia, to launch an eco-advanced alternative to the denim fabric washing process.

Archroma and Jeanologia have teamed together to develop an eco-friendly alternative to the typical denim fabric washing process, which includes, in some circumstances, mercerization, one of the most water-intensive and polluting denim fabric finishing processes.

After weaving, denim cloth may undergo a washing treatment or mercerizing treatment, which involves treating it with caustic soda to make it more lustrous, flat, and less reddish-blue and black in color.

According to Archroma and Jeanologia, traditional techniques of washing or mercerizing the fabric include several, water-intensive washings to restore the cloth's pH and remove unfixed dyestuff as well as any unwanted deposits or contaminants. Aniline, a chemical classed as a category 2 carcinogen and harmful to aquatic life, is one of the impurities discharged during the washing process.

The new alternative approach from Archroma and Jeanologia combines Archroma's Pure Indigo Icon dyeing system with Jeanologia's G2 Dynamic finishing technology, which saves 90% of water and is chemical-free.

According to the two firms, the Archroma/Jeanologia solution allows them to make aniline-free denim and improve the final appearance of the fabric through a chemical-free and practically water-free cleaning alternative treatment. It's also compatible with other Archroma coloration systems like Indigo Reflection and Pure Undertones.

Jean-Pierre Inchauspe, business director of G2 Dynamic at Jeanologia, said that this association is another step toward replacing traditional, more polluting, and water-consuming processes in the textile industry with new ones that use technology, improving and boosting subsequent production stages up to the finishing of the garment, making them more efficient and allowing companies to be more competitive, increase productivity, and offer a product that is completely sustainable with high quality.

Umberto Devita , business development manager at Archroma’s Competence Center for denim and casual wear and project leader for the new development, said that at Archroma, they strive to develop solutions in line with their principles of 'The Archroma Way to a Sustainable World: Safe, efficient, enhanced, it's our nature,' says Umberto Devita, business development manager at Archroma's Competence Center for denim and casual wear and project leader for the new development. Working with a partner who shares their ideals of developing efficient new processes to deliver all know-how to their clients to maximize value – for denim that looks as nice as the good it provides – was therefore incredibly exciting.