Cone Denim's design and product development teams have worked together to bring the two new fabrics called Wonderwall and Eden to market.
Both products were developed using viscose made with circulose fibre, a raw material derived from the recovery of cellulose found in worn-out clothing, transformed into a dissolving pulp made from 100% recycled textiles.
The pulp is used as the basis for creating different types of regenerated fibres such as viscose, lyocell, modal, acetate, and other synthetic cellulosic fibres. These fibres are later converted into yarns, weaved or knitted into fabrics, and finally cut and stitched into new textile products.
The first denim fabric, Wonderwall, is described as a mid-weight, rigid fabric that incorporates a blend of Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) certified pre-consumer recycled cotton, Tencel, and 29% regenerated viscose made with circulose. Wonderwall is said to be versatile and suitable for various fits, sizes, and genders.
The Eden fabric is crafted with 31% regenerated viscose made with circulose and combines circular fibres, authentic texture, and stretch for enhanced comfort.
Cone Denim director of product design Pierette Scavuzzo shared insights into the creative process and said: “In creating these products, we’ve challenged ourselves as denim producers to develop fabrics that promote circularity in fashion with increased percentages of circular and recycled raw materials.
“It was also essential in our design goals that these fabrics have extensive reach within a brand’s denim programme to promote the scaling of this circular yarn innovation.”
Swedish textile-to-textile recycling company Renewcell launched the Circulose Supplier Network last year with Cone Denim's Greensboro, North Carolina-based denim mill being the first to join in North America. The network comprises yarn and textile producers committed to advancing the use of circulose in apparel production.
Cone Denim has actively participated as the one of the trial partners of non-profit Accelerating Circularity. Since 2022, the company has incorporated recycled and circular fibres into products at scale, including RCS-certified, post-industrial waste (PIW) recycled cotton from its mills in China and Mexico.
Cone Denim shared its focus on a sustainable future through its established targets across water conservation, energy and greenhouse gas reduction, waste reduction, and sustainable product development aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The company said it had invested over $13m in new equipment installation and advanced processes over the past five years, minimising its environmental impact.
