In our new initiative, we shall be bringing denim news snippets from around the world at the end of the week. These news relate to various aspects of the industry including technology, sustainability, production processes, people, and more. The idea is to give our readers a quick go of news of interest for a major part of the industry. And here we go with the first one today!
Outland Denim makes cotton tracing breakthrough
Outland Denim is an Australian jeanswear brand founded in 2008 by James Bartle. This week, James Bartle announced that Outland Denim has made a breakthrough. He announced that they now know the complete journey of their denim, the whole supply chain from Tier 1 (production) to Tier 5 (the cottonseed). This level of transparency is very hard to achieve and is the goal of most brands. Outland Denim could make this possible as they’ve been working with their key supplier Bossa Denim for 7years to achieve this. Outland Denim is not only a sustainable brand but also has claims to be an ethical one as it employs victims of trafficking or sexual exploitation in its factory in rural Cambodia.
WOX Brings AI to Ozone Bleaching and Denim Finishing
Wiser tech is a wash tech company in Turkey. This exceptional Research and Development center has been working on making an AI-based Denim Finishing technology. WOX is based on Wiser Wash, a patented and award-winning ozone bleaching process that was introduced to the denim industry in 2017. This technology removes the standard pumice stone and toxic chemicals and bleaches with only 200 ml of water and ozone. Wiser TEch introduces WOX to take this technology one step further (this step was definitely a long jump though) WOX helps to transmit real-time data to AI-based algorithms which help the machine to self monitor its own consumptions, track component health, and improve itself over a period of time with more data.
Calik Denim Promotes Transparency with QR Code Integrated System
The Turkish denim factory, Calik Denim has launched an integrated QR code system that allows customers to scan the code on the hangtag. This decision was made so that they could be more transparent to their customers and focus on sustainability. The system displays information about the source of fabric fibers, life cycle assessment (LCA) scores, and eight different dimensions of environmental impact. When scanned, the QR Code reveals the composition details, vendor information, and certification details, and the data can be audited and measured with globally accepted values as per the company. This is another strong step by the company towards sustainability.
Saitex opens a denim mill in Vietnam
Saitex, the famous denim factory in Vietnam, which recently opened a Denim factory in Los Angeles opens up a Denim mill in Vietnam. Saitex Denim is revolutionizing sustainability with every step they take. The new denim mill by Saitex is a 100,100 square-meter complex located in the Nen Chak Industrial Zone in Dong Nai, Vietnam, 40 minutes away from the factory in Ho Chi Minh City, and will officially open its doors to customers in August. The mill was to be launched earlier but it got delayed due to Covid. It’s expected to be a State of the Art mill that will have many high-tech installations for its effort towards sustainability and transparency.
PVH Europe joins Dutch Denim Deal initiative
Amsterdam-PVH Europe-the headquarters of Tommy Hilfiger Global and Calvin Klein Europe-has joined the Dutch Denim Trade Sustainability Initiative. The company announced that it will serve on the steering committee of this private-public organization and work with its 38 signatories to improve the sustainability of the denim industry and make recycling the new normal. It said it would share its knowledge and experience in recycled cotton, and use its brand to expand its influence and increase the supply of recycled cotton from the Netherlands through a strategic partnership.
India ranks #1 among countries as organic cotton production reaches new highs
Organic cotton production reaches new highs. Altogether, 229,280 farmers grew 249,153 tons of natural cotton fibre on 588,425 hectares of guaranteed natural land in 21 nations, as per Textile Exchange’s ‘2021 Organic Cotton Market Report’. The figure addresses a 4% development in fibre volume and is the fourth year straight that natural cotton creation has expanded The seven natural cotton-delivering nations together recorded for 95% of worldwide production, these were India (50%), China (12%), Kyrgyzstan (12%), Turkey (10%), Tanzania (5%), Tajikistan (4%), and the US (3%). Two new nations – Uzbekistan and Myanmar – joined the line-up of natural cotton makers in 2019/20, and essentially another three nations are required to participate in the following not many years. The report found India once again had the most land in conversion to organic, followed most closely by Turkey, Tajikistan, and Tanzania.
Soorty and Isko Announce Collaboration
Isko Turkey and Soorty from Pakistan announced the signing of a technology licensing agreement for the production of fabrics and garments. The first collaboration has come in the form of Isko Future Face by Sooty collection for the US market. The agreement is likely to bring more and more productions to Soorty Pakistan using the expertise and R&D strength of Isko.
