New dyeing technology slashes greenhouse gas emissions

As brands like Adidas are reshaping the apparel industry to address climate concerns, technologies such as DyeCoo's supercritical CO2 dyeing that reduce both carbon emissions and water pollution are essential. Adidas will, based on these results, incorporate CO2 dyeing into its supply chain.

The completely waterless, supercritical CO2 dyeing equipment is in operation at CleanDye's HCMC factory. Photo courtesy of CleanDye

The LCA was conducted by Sphera, a third-party consultant with a proven track record of producing reliable sustainability reports across several industries.

Sphera compared CleanDye and DyeCoo's waterless dyeing process to three of Adidas' conventional fabric vendors to show their difference in carbon footprint, with the results showing CleanDye produces 58% lower carbon emissions.

CleanDye's Ho Chi Minh factory is unique in that it is the world’s first and only textile factory purpose built to exclusive use supercritical CO2 dyeing technology, while completely bypassing conventional water-based technologies that use huge water resources, generate large amounts of waste water and have far higher carbon emissions.

DyeCoo's technology has received interest from firms all over the world, including manufacturers in Turkey, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, and Central America, as well as large international brands and retailers that seek to reduce their carbon footprint over the coming years.

It received enthusiastic feedback at ITMA, the world's largest international textile and garment technology exhibition, which was held in Italy in June.

During the exhibition, DyeCoo introduced a range of new CO2 dyeing solutions, including a smaller, fully electric CO2 dyeing machine suitable for sampling and small-scale production, as well as an advanced lab system for R&D purposes.

Vietnam is the host to the only factory using only the innovative and sustainable commercially proven dyeing technology in the world CleanDye. Photo courtesy of DyeCoo

"We are thrilled about this report and that CO2 dyeing is gaining momentum in textile manufacturing," said Kasper Nossent, Commercial Director at DyeCoo. "We look forward to expanding our technology beyond our current customers to other factories around the world in collaboration with our brand partners."

Simon Weston, CEO of CleanDye Vietnam, said that the LCA is a testament to the company's Vietnam facility, where they use sustainable supercritical CO2 technology to deliver high-quality, sustainably manufactured fabric at competitive prices.

CleanDye has already produced fabrics for brands such as Decathlon, Tom Tailor, s.Oliver, Marco Polo, and Bonprix, and many other global apparel and footwear brands are in discussions to incorporate DyeCoo and CleanDye into their supply chains.

"After analyzing the LCA, we have made further improvements to CleanDye's process, and we are confident that our carbon emissions are even lower than the already impressive LCA figures," Weston said.

According to Kenneth Katz, Managing Director and Head of Asia at TAU Investment Management who is a shareholder in CleanDye and DyeCoo, they already knew that innovation like this was critical.

Twenty percent of industrial water waste comes from textile dyeing. But the report demonstrates that DyeCoo's patented technology and CleanDye’s purpose-built dyeing facility in Vietnam dramatically reduce carbon emissions.

Vietnam has the foundation become a leader in sustainable fashion technology. "It is a testament to Vietnam’s appetite for sustainable manufacturing and strong government support that we look forward to expanding the impact of this innovation in sustainable fashion," Katz said.

CleanDye, a global company, opened its first 100% water- and chemical-free textile dyeing factory in Vietnam in 2019, using supercritical CO2 technology for safer, cleaner, and more energy-efficient production.

DyeCoo Textile Systems B.V. is a Dutch company that has developed and commercialized supercritical CO2 fabric and yarn dyeing, reducing water and chemical usage in polyester dyeing and operating in global textile and automotive supply chains.

TAU, a New York-Hong Kong-based investment and advisory firm, assists global apparel supply chain leaders in making critical decisions through proprietary private equity investments and offering strategic supply chain advice.