Trends change quickly in the fast-paced fashion sector, but responsible sourcing and production is no trend; it’s a fundamental shift. Brands and retailers that champion sustainability are increasingly building momentum as they align with the values of a global customer base that is more informed and aware than ever.
Certification marks play a key role. Labels like Cradle to Cradle Certified® and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 provide retailers, consumers and brands with assurances about product safety and sustainability, while a supplier’s participation in initiatives like bluesign® and Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) is an indication of its commitment to chemical management, environmental stewardship and supply chain transparency.
As an innovation powerhouse in the textile sector, Archroma delivers measurable impact. With solutions that increase process efficiency, save resources and add value and longevity to end-products through durable effects, Archroma helps brands and mills worldwide to meet the expectations of retailers and consumers, as well as the evolving requirements of regulators.
The Safe Edge Digital Platform
Bringing digital technology and product stewardship together for the chemical industry, Archroma launched The Safe Edge in 2021. Now upgraded and relaunched as The Safe Edge, this unique online portal allows customers and other partners to assess the regulatory and compliance status of every product in the expanded Archroma portfolio of textile dyes and chemicals, including their third-party certifications.
Such open access to information provides visibility into the manufacturing supply chain and promotes faster time to market. It also enables brands to select solutions that meet their particular sustainability requirements, which is an important aspect of Archroma’s new Super Systems+ solutions packages.
New Super Systems+ Packages
Drawing on the industry’s broadest product portfolio, Super Systems+ are powerful end-to-end systems that combine processing solutions and finishing effects for special end uses. Each is designed to deliver exceptional performance, including end-product durability, while meeting different levels of sustainability—from cleaner chemistries that comply with current and anticipated industry regulations to best-possible resource savings, or both.
Super Systems+ are currently available for denim, cotton knits and polyester-cotton blend knits for casual wear, sportswear, bottom weights, towels, sheeting and more. Each system covers the entire textile processing workflow, from sizing to finishing, and helps fashion and textile brands to make choices that optimize their productivity and deliver against significant sustainability targets.
Revolutionary AVITERA® SE Dye Range
Archroma’s AVITERA® SE technology is a key part of Super Systems+. AVITERA® SE set a new benchmark for sustainability in the dyeing of cotton and its blends when it launched in 2010. With high-speed low-temperature wash-off, high process reliability and excellent reproducibility, the AVITERA® SE poly-reactive dyes allow mills to achieve water and energy savings of up to 50% and to slash CO2 emissions and effluent discharge by up to 50% as well. These dyes can also increase mill output by up to 25% or more.
Fabrics dyed with the AVITERA® SE dyes are free from restricted arylamines*, including PCA, and retain their vibrant colours through repeated home laundering and exposure to light, perspiration and chlorine. The AVITERA® SE range is also fully compliant with the most stringent industry and brand-special restricted substance lists. It is bluesign® approved, published in the ZDHC Gateway, and holds a Gold-level Material Health Certificate™ from the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Products Innovation Institute.
The AVITERA® SE colour palette has been significantly expanded over the past decade, while recipe optimization and added environmental benefits have further improved performance and cost savings.
Economically Sustainable GENERATION NEXT
Archroma is now releasing the fourth generation of the revolutionary AVITERA® SE dye range: AVITERA® SE GENERATION NEXT. With an improved cost-to-performance ratio for dark and extra-dark shades, it helps mills increase yield, improve productivity and reduce processing costs while producing more planet-conscious end-articles across a wider colour range.
The new colours include a greenish-cast black dye with high colour consistency, AVITERA® BLACK PEARL SE; a deep blue element with good light fastness and high NOx resistance, AVITERA® BLUE HORIZON SE; and a new deep navy shade with exceptional build up, AVITERA® NIGHT STORM SE.
In contrast to traditional cellulosic dyeing technology, AVITERA® SE GENERATION NEXT makes it possible to produce consistent and long-lasting colours in a more sustainable and cost-eǹ ective way, even on dark and very dark shades. This opens up new possibilities for brands and retailers, and further empowers consumers to make responsible choicesthat they can feel good about.
