Thermal energy and carbon emissions
Reduce energy used in high-temperature treatment and repeated heating while improving process efficiency.
WHY DYEING MATTERS
Transforming dyeing
within fashion’s value chain
Sustainable material choices need a better approach to coloration. Reducing heat, water and chemical inputs in dyeing and finishing is a key opportunity across fashion’s value chain.
The textile life cycle and environmental impact
Resources and energy flow from raw materials through use and end of life.
01
Raw materials and textile production
Fibre production, spinning, knitting and weaving use materials and energy. Material choice and production methods influence impact.
02
Preparation and dyeing / finishing
Heating, washing, coloration and finishing use heat, water and chemicals and generate emissions and wastewater.
03
Garment assembly, use and end of life
Garment manufacture and distribution are followed by washing, care, product lifetime and disposal.
The environmental hotspot in material production
An estimated 52% of apparel supply-chain emissions arises at Tier 2, including fabric formation, preparation, coloration and finishing. Heat and chemical management in dyeing and finishing is an important intervention within this stage.
- 01Fibre
- 02Yarn
- 03Fabric formation
- 04Preparation
- 05Dyeing
- 06Finishing
- 07Assembly
- 08Use & circulation
MATERIAL PRODUCTION / TIER 2
52%
More than half of apparel supply-chain emissions
Share from material production including fabric formation, preparation, dyeing and finishing
A key production stage for environmental improvement
Better fibre choices need to be matched by improvements in fabric production and coloration. Dyeing and finishing bring together thermal energy, water, dyes and additives, making process change essential to lowering emissions and wastewater burdens.
Raw materialsProcessingMaterial productionAssembly
Estimated GHG emissions across the apparel production supply chain in 2019
Three environmental priorities in dyeing and finishing
Chemicals and wastewater load
Manage dyestuff and additive inputs to reduce pollutant loads from treatment and washing.
Residues in finished products
Quality for skin-contact fabrics includes residues from dyeing and finishing as well as the fibre itself.
Dyeing for a more sustainable material
GREENWEAR combines natural-resource dyestuffs, lower-temperature shorter processing and minimised synthetic additives. Biomass Natural Dyeing adds a lower-impact coloration step to the material choices brands already make.
Explore moreWHOLE-PROCESS APPROACHHUNA DYEING™
01INPUTS
02PROCESS
04PRODUCT
03OUTPUTS
MATERIAL → PROCESS → PRODUCT