Advance Denim will be first Chinese denim manufacturer to offer a collection made with Archroma’s aniline-free Denisol Pure Indigo. To focus on innovation and sustainable manufacturing, Advance Denim will be exploring Archroma’s aniline-free indigo as a non-toxic way to produce traditional, iconic indigo blue that consumers associate with denim and jeans. During traditional indigo dyeing process production, some of the aniline stays locked into the indigo pigment and is difficult to wash off the fabric. The remainder of the aniline impurity, approximately 300 metric tons annually, is discharged during dyeing. This can be an issue as aniline is toxic to aquatic life. In addition, exposure levels to factory workers can be high. As a result of its toxicity it is now starting to feature on the restricted substance lists (RSL) of some major clothing brands and retailers. The new Denisol Pure Indigo 30 liq was therefore developed as an aniline-free indigo solution for designers, manufacturers and brand owners who long for authentic indigo inspiration, according to a press release by Archroma. “At Archroma, we try to do our part, step by step, and that is why we developed the purest pre-reduced liquid aniline-free indigo available on the market. Together with the most eco-conscious denim mills out there, such as Advance Denim in China, we can make clean indigo – and clean denim. Because it’s our nature,” said Umberto De Vita, global business development, denim & casual wear at Archroma. “Advance Denim and Archroma are demonstrating, through action, how a traditional industry can transform and become sustainable while remaining profitable,” said Amy Wang, managing director, Advance Denim. Established in 1987, Advance Denim is the oldest denim mill in China. The company has its own innovative research and development, manufacturing and sales teams, including a 120,000 square metre manufacturing facility in Shunde, China, and well as offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Amsterdam and New York. Archroma is a global leader in colour and specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions headquartered in Reinach near Basel, Switzerland.
