2 Sep 2024
Archroma, Kipaş Denim and Jeanologia collaborate to launch low-impact contra denim collection
Pratteln, Switzerland, September 2, 2024 - Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, Kipaş Denim, a leader in integrated textile production based in Türkiye, and Jeanologia, a sustainable textile solutions company, are collaborating to pioneer a new denim finishing process for enhanced aesthetic appeal and greater sustainability.
Combining their advanced technologies, the three textile innovators are behind the launch of Kipaş Denim’s new Contra Denim concept – a breakthrough in denim dyeing and finishing that enables brands to create stunning and long-lasting distressed looks and designs effects, including intricate patterns, whiskering and fades, through cleaner processes that save water and energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Denim has traditionally been challenging to produce, especially for black and indigo fabric with a worn or distressed look, requiring significant water usage, harmful chemicals and intensive manual labor. The Contra Denim collection is laser- and laundry-friendly, with colors that are deep and durable. Stunning wash-down vintage effects and high contrasts are achieved via washing or laser techniques.
Contra Denim is based on Archroma’s DENIM HALO, a new approach to denim production that incorporates resource-saving pretreatment that includes DIRSOL® RD and dyeing processes to produce easy-wash laser-friendly denim. It delivers a substantially reduced environmental footprint compared to the industry-standard denim finishing process while reducing yarn shrinkage and improving garment tensile strength.
The Contra Denim’s vintage looks are achieved with advanced laser marking technology from Jeanologia. Thanks to the combination of Archroma and Jeanologia technologies, manual hand scraping or potassium permanganate spraying harmful for workers and the environment are completely eliminated.
“Part of Archroma’s SUPER SYSTEMS+ portfolio of end-to-end solutions, DENIM HALO is empowering our partners Kipaş Denim and Jeanologia to deliver denim with measurable environmental impact through the EIM software, as well as the colors and effects that consumers crave,” Umberto De Vita, Market Segment Director – Denim, Archroma Textile Effects said. “This collaboration is a notable example of our planet conscious roadmap at work, combining innovation and partnership with a focus on consumers and the environment.”
Mustafa Guleken, Kipaş Denim, said: “As Kipaş Holding, our vision is to lead the change towards circular and renewable industries while being a fair and reliable company. We strive to help lead the way to a more sustainable and circular future through research and development in collaboration with fellow industry leaders, like Archroma and Jeanologia. With Contra Denim, we are making it possible for the world’s denim brands to unleash their design creativity without compromising their environmental ambitions or production efficiency.”
Fernando Cardona, Brain Box Team Manager, Jeanologia, said: “As a purpose-driven textile technology company, we take pride in working with partners to accompany them through their transformational processes. We are delighted to work with industry leaders such as Archroma and Kipaş Denim, who are at the forefront of responsible denim production.”
Initially producing a ContraBlack Denim collection, Kipaş Denim has now extended the Contra line to classic indigo and other colors from the DIRESUL® RDT range.
The ContraBlack collection earned a Jeanologia Environmental Impact Measurement (EIM) score of 11 on stone wash versus the ring dyeing market standard score of 67. This confirms the low impact of the ContraBlack range in both water and energy consumption, chemical impact and workers’ health.
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About Archroma
Archroma is a global, diversified provider of specialty chemicals serving the branded and performance textiles, packaging and paper, and coatings, adhesives and sealants markets.
Headquartered in Pratteln, Switzerland, Archroma operates with more than 5,000 employees located in 42 countries and with 35 production sites.
Archroma is passionate about delivering leading and innovative solutions, enhancing people’s lives and respecting the planet. The company is committed to the principles of "The Archroma Way to a Sustainable World: Safe, Efficient, Enhanced. It's our nature!"; an approach reflected in its innovations, world-class quality standards, high service levels and cost-efficiency.
About Kipaş Denim
Kipaş was established in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey in 1984. It is a vertically integrated textile mill and one of the largest sustainable yarn, fabric, and denim manufacturers and preferred suppliers of the world’s leading brands with 6500 employees and a production capacity of 85 million meters of fabric and over 5 million garments annually. Kipaş Textiles has a wide product range including functional and technical textiles suitable for fashion, sports and casual clothes, denim, shirting and home textiles.
As KIPAS, our vision is to lead the change towards circular and renewable industries while being a fair and reliable company. Using our size and scale, we are working to catalyze systemic changes across our operations, our entire value chain, and our industry.
Our priority is respecting nature and people. We acknowledge the needs of present and future generations and the demands of our planet and our industry. We believe that the way we conduct our business should be economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.
About Jeanologia
Since 1994, Jeanologia’ s mission has been to create an ethical, sustainable, and eco-efficient textile industry. The company collaborates closely with brands, retailers, and their suppliers on their transformative journey. Jeanologia offers disruptive technologies, innovative software, and a new operational model. Their groundbreaking solutions, including laser technology, G2 ozone, Dancing Box, e-flow, and H2Zero, have revolutionized the textile industry, providing limitless design and garment finishing possibilities. These advancements not only reduce costs but also conserve water, energy, and chemicals, ensuring zero pollution.
Today, Jeanologia encourages all textile industry stakeholders to get behind their Mission Zero: dehydrate and detoxify the jean industry. No more water or toxic chemicals used in a single pair of jeans around the world.
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