The D(R)YE Factory of the Future is a new consortium project bringing together several innovations in textile pre-treatment and colouration that are set to accelerate the shift from wet to mostly dry processing.

It is being coordinated by Amsterdam-headquartered Fashion for Good with partners adidas, Arvind, Kering, PVH Corp. and Welspun India, who will work closely with eight innovators – Alchemie Technologies, Deven Supercriticals, eCO2Dye, GRINP, Indigo Mill Designs, imogo, MTIX and Stony Creek Colors,

Textile processing is responsible for the highest greenhouse gas emissions and significant water and chemical use in the fashion value chain. The selected innovations have the potential to reduce emissions by up to 89% and to cut water consumption by between 83% and 95%.

“Textile processing is the largest contributor to carbon emissions in the supply chain and a shift to mostly dry processing is crucial for the path to net-zero,” said Katrin Ley, Fashion for Good’s  managing director. “Given the interdependencies in the processing stages, a stand-alone assessment of solutions is not sufficient. By validating a combination of technologies, we can unlock the full potential of those solutions. This is why this project is so pivotal.” 

Given the interdependencies in the processing stages, a stand-alone assessment of solutions is not sufficient. By validating a combination of technologies, we can unlock the full potential of those solutions

The project will bring together several novel technologies with the aim of disrupting the current processing, pre-treatment, colouration (dyeing and printing) and finishing of textiles in the fashion supply chain.

Although a number of innovations exist in this space, they are often explored in isolation. To achieve greater impact and accelerate the shift to more sustainable practices, this project will partner several innovations together to validate their impact and potential to scale in the fashion value chain.

The aim is to demonstrate innovative solutions in pre-treatment and colouration, across five different materials – cotton, polyester, blends, denim and wool. Technologies tested will include plasma and laser treatments, spray dyeing, supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) and foam dyeing. The results from the evaluations, as well as next steps for implementation, will be shared in a report in late 2022.

www.fashionforgood.com