Quick wash denim: Quick wash denim fabric is dyed with modified technique of dyeing. So that during wash cycle, indigo dye can be removed quickly. Giving washed look at shorter washing cycle. This results in more economical washes i.e. low water consumption, less usage of chemicals, less time and retaining fabric strength.

Tinted denim: With increase in demand of tinted/ over dyed look on garment, garment processor is using an additional process of tinting/over dyeing, which is time consuming. It consumes large quantity of water and chemicals. It is also associated with the risk of patches and unevenness on garments. Now the denim fabric is also available in tinted form which saves processors time and risk.

Grainy look denim: Different chemicals and processes are used to get grain look on the denim garments. To meet this requirement special denim fabric has been developed which gives grainy look after processing of denim garment Soft feel denim: To meet such requirement, different varieties of denim fabric are available, which are having inherent softness. These fabrics require minimum application of softener at the garment stage.

Recent Developments in Garment Processing:

It was considered impossible to obtain wrinkle free finish on white garments in wet processing. It was rather difficult to achieve wrinkle free performance with minimal yellowing and strength loss, and good handle. Achieving any of these attributes implied compromising on the other two. Now, thanks to recent product developments, it is possible to strike a good balance between these features, with the help of a wrinkle-free system containing an inbuilt catalyst and softener.

Also, microencapsulated fragrance finishes are becoming important value-adds in garment processing. When these finishes are applied on to the garments, in the same way as perfumes, the active ingredients get gradually released on to the skin.

Laser-based processing is another emerging versatile technology in denim finishing, which permits application of laser-based photographic effects, abrasion effects and new laser-based stone washes.

Recent developments have also made it possible to use antimicrobial finishes, water and oil-repellent finishes, flame-retardant finishes, antiozonate finishes, UV absorber finishes and coatings individually, and in combinations of two or three.

Avoiding the Environmental Hazards of Garment Processing:

Textile processing uses vast amounts of water, chemicals and energy, and therefore, has considerable effects on the environment in the textile manufacturing regions. The effluents from wet processing of garments cause similar environmental hazards as fabric processing. Moreover, the garment processing sector is highly unorganized; effluents are released in to municipal drains causing environmental problems.

Apart from investing heavily in effluent treatment, pollution loads can also be reduced by 30-50%, by using pollution prevention techniques. Heres list of wheat can be done.

1)       Reduce wastewater volume by:

• Good housekeeping

• Counter flow processing

• Re-using process water,

• Automating machinery,

• Processing alternatives i.e., green cleaning over conventional dry cleaning where perchloroethylene is replaced by CO₂ in liquid state,or by organic hydrocarbons, ozonated water and ultrasonic cleaning.

2)       Reduce the amount of dyes and chemicals used by:

• Good housekeeping

• Process optimization,

• Recovery and re-use of process chemicals,

• Automation of machinery,

• Replacement of conventional chemicals with eco-friendly chemicals.

The dyestuffs, pigments and chemical products saved by these methods mean less effluent in the system.