Textile dyeing is one of the most resource-intensive processes in the global clothing industry. High water consumption, heavy use of chemicals and enormous amounts of energy place a significant strain on the environment and climate. This is precisely why Blåkläder is committed to using innovative processes to reduce the environmental impact of this stage of production in a sustainable way.
Yarn-dyed fibres save water and chemicals
A key component of this development is ‘spinning dyeing’, which Blåkläder is increasingly using, particularly for synthetic materials such as polyester. Unlike conventional methods, the colour pigments are incorporated directly into the fibres during the manufacturing process. This completely eliminates the need for the time-consuming process of dyeing the fabric afterwards.
The benefits are enormous: yarn-dyeing can save up to 85 per cent of water and around 90 per cent of chemicals. At the same time, it produces durable and particularly colour-fast textiles that retain their colour intensity even after many washes or exposure to intense UV radiation.
At Blåkläder, every single material in a garment is scrutinised. Even smaller components such as linings are gradually being switched to more sustainable processes. Although the savings per garment may seem small at first, across entire collections there is enormous potential for CO₂ reduction.
New technologies for natural materials
Natural materials such as cotton or linen, on the other hand, require different solutions. That is why Blåkläder is investing in the Swedish company Imogo and its innovative spray-dyeing technology. In this process, the dye is sprayed directly onto the fabric and then fixed at room temperature.
This process also offers significant environmental benefits: water, energy and chemical consumption can be reduced by more than 90 per cent compared to traditional piece dyeing. In addition, modern recycling systems can reduce wastewater by up to 99 per cent.
Sustainability as a shared goal
Blåkläder’s approach is particularly noteworthy: the technologies are not intended for exclusive use, but rather to be made available to as many manufacturers and suppliers as possible. The aim is to establish more sustainable solutions across the entire industry in the long term and to significantly reduce the environmental impact of textile production.
We think the combination of innovative dyeing processes, durable materials and responsible production is #absolutelybrilliant.
