Despite these advancements, the “Innovations and Challenges in Denim Finishing: 2024 Report” identifies pressing issues that need to be addressed.
The report has been released by Jeanologia’s software platform Environmental Impact Measuring (EIM).
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It highlights advancements in conserving resources, while drawing attention to the imperative need for curtailing the use of detrimental chemicals and methods that pose risks to both environmental welfare and worker safety.
This study is informed by an extensive dataset encompassing over 115,000 denim finishing operations documented via the EIM platform, which many leading brands and textile producers rely on for sustainability metrics.
Within the context of EIM, the term “process” is used to denote the specific treatment applied to a particular garment style.
Since its inception in 2011, the EIM database has amassed records of nearly one million such processes from upwards of 500 contributors.
The data analysed for this report encompasses 133,198 processes recorded from January through December 2024. This analysis relies exclusively on data captured using EIM V2.0, which became the standard in July 2024 after a year-long transition period from its predecessor. Findings indicate that out of the 63% of the processes, 33% are rated as medium and a mere 4% are deemed high impact.
Insights from the report
While it is encouraging that over half of the processes are categorised as low impact, the data suggests ample opportunity to diminish those classified as medium and high impact. Such reductions could further amplify the prevalence of low-impact procedures in the future.
The report identifies the Energy category as having the highest proportion of low-impact processes at 85%.
Conversely, the Chemicals category emerges as a significant concern, with only 29% of processes rated as low-impact and an alarming 24% considered high-impact.
The use of pumice stones and potassium permanganate is particularly troubling, necessitating immediate adoption of safer and more eco-friendly alternatives due to their adverse effects on both ecosystems and occupational health, the report noted.
Water consumption management also receives attention in the report as a critical environmental challenge within the textile sector.
Current figures show an average water usage of 30 litres per garment in denim finishing, surpassing the advised benchmark of 22.5l. Nonetheless, this category shows commendable performance with 71% of processes rated as low-impact.
Strategies for reducing water usage includes enhancing rinse efficiency, choosing less treatment-intensive fabrics, and employing technologies like ozone, e-flow, and smart foam systems.
The report recommended enhancements including implementing advanced technologies to minimise chemical usage and safeguard worker health, such as opting for Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)-certified chemicals and advancing towards automation and digitalisation of manual operations.
EIM platform originator and co-author of the report Begoña García said: “For years, the textile industry has lacked reliable tools to measure its environmental impact, making data-driven decisions difficult. This report marks a crucial step toward transparency and continuous improvement, showing that technology is key to measuring and reducing environmental impact.”
The report will act as a tool for brands and suppliers to partner and cut environmental footprint and provide a sustainable production model.
The Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) Roadmap to Net Zero report indicates a marginal decline in the carbon footprint of the textile and apparel fashion industry in 2022, despite an overall increasing trajectory.
The industry accounted for approximately 879 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions in 2022, marking a slight reduction from the 897 million tonnes reported in 2021, equating to a decrease of about 1.17%.
Nonetheless, projections suggest that by 2030, emissions from the apparel sector are expected to reach 1,243 million tonnes. To align with the Paris Agreement’s target of maintaining global temperature rise below 1.5°C, emissions need to be curtailed significantly to approximately 489,000 tonnes, the report cited. ‘
