Study highlights safety of ozone finishing for denim with recycled fibers

A recent study by Dalia Benefatto has examined the safety and compatibility of ozone finishing with recycled fibers in the denim industry. The study highlights that innovations in denim finishing technologies can significantly reduce chemical and natural resource usage, providing considerable environmental benefits.

The study was conducted by Devalia consultancy founder Dalia Benefatto, in collaboration with Nexia Italy and the Institute of Intelligent Industrial Technologies and Systems for Advanced Manufacturing, the study concluded that ozone technology is a promising sustainable alternative for denim finishing. The study also confirmed that ozone finishing does not release ozone post-treatment.

Ozone finishing, which utilizes ozone gas for bleaching effects, stands out as a zero-chemical, low-water, and low-energy alternative to traditional finishing methods. This technique has been adopted by many brands aiming to enhance their sustainability practices.

The study assessed the mechanical and abrasion resistance of treated fabrics, emphasizing the importance of considering these properties, especially for fabrics containing recycled fibers. Post-treatment test results showed no ozone release after treatment, although fabrics with recycled content exhibited different behavior.

In terms of mechanical resistance, the 100 percent cotton and 99 percent cotton with 1 percent elastane fabrics displayed similar abrasion resistance. However, the fabric with GRS cotton was less resistant, indicating that fabrics with recycled fibers might benefit from a multi-phase ozone treatment at lower concentrations.