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Lindex adopts cleaner, resource efficient dye

07
Mar '17

Lindex has adopted DyStar Indigo Vat 40% Solution, a dye which is resource efficient since it uses less water, energy and chemicals. With the dyeing technique being used in 90 per cent of the denim styles, Lindex works to come out with sustainable and stylish denim wear, according to its production sustainability manager Anna-Karin Dahlberg.

It was in 2014 that Lindex, one of Europe’s leading fashion chains together with the suppliers began to screen their denim production to grade the environmental impact of their denim styles. "Once we had screened our denim production, we started tweaking all parts of the processes to make it more sustainable. Washing methods were optimised, some washings such as extra rinses were dropped and other washes were combined. Together these changes gave significant results – in the production of our first Better Denim styles water consumption was reduced with up to 45 per cent and energy usage with up to 27 per cent. Less water usage also resulted in lower usage of chemicals," Dahlberg told Fibre2Fashion.

"The process with DyStar Indigo Vat 40% Solution occurs in a closed system which significantly reduces the workers contact with chemicals and since the indigo dye is liquid, all dust in production is eliminated. Working with this solution reduces the hydrosulphite usage by 60-70% and the process is cleaner with less waste water and discharge," said Dahlberg adding that apart from the obvious environmental benefits, there is a business case for the suppliers since more sustainable production methods bring large savings in water, energy and chemicals. When it comes to liquid indigo from Dystar, it also brings a higher level of consistency in colour, which decreases the waste, which is both cost efficient and has a lower environmental impact.

Talking about the various sustainable denim styles, Dahlberg elaborates, "After our first Better Denim styles were launched in fall 2015, we implemented the changes in our entire denim assortment and today all of our denim styles for women and kids are Better Denim. In spring 2016, we launched our Better Denim assortment which was made in cotton from more sustainable sources and the washing process was low impact on all our styles. But our EVEN Better denim styles are a few styles that we use as learning styles and that we take one or two steps further in sustainability with the ambition to scale the learnings and incorporate them into our entire Better denim assortment. This is what it has looked like so far, Even Better denim spring 16 – Organic cotton styles, low impact wash with all sustainable trims. Even Better Denim Fall 16 – Recycled post consumer waste, liquid indigo dye, low impact wash, all sustainable trims. We are now planning Even Better denim styles for Fall 17." (RR)

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Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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