A strategic collaboration pairs low-impact dyeing with sludge-free finishing, offering an end-to-end pathway for sustainable denim manufacturing.
Key takeaway: By combining CleanKore’s chemical-free dyeing innovation with HMS’s composite washing stones, the partnership delivers a unified blueprint for reducing water, chemical use, sludge, and energy across the denim value chain.
A new collaboration between HMS and CleanKore aims to reshape the environmental footprint of global denim production. The two companies will integrate their patented technologies to create a cleaner, safer, and more resource-efficient model for mills and laundries—addressing one of fashion’s most pollution-intensive product categories.
CleanKore’s low-impact dyeing process eliminates the industry’s reliance on potassium permanganate (PP) and sharply lowers water, chemical, and energy consumption. It also improves dye control and fabric consistency.
HMS complements this by replacing pumice stones and hazardous chemistry with composite washing stones that generate no sludge, cut water use, and deliver uniform aesthetics in denim finishing.
Together, the technologies form an end-to-end solution covering:
• low-impact dye application,
• improved dye penetration management, and
• sludge-free, resource-efficient finishing.
This combined system reduces waste across the supply chain while offering time and cost savings.
The partnership reflects growing pressure on denim suppliers to meet sustainability expectations from brands and regulators. Traditional stonewashing and finishing processes remain water- and waste-intensive, while potassium permanganate faces increasing scrutiny for worker and environmental risks. By delivering a practical, scalable alternative, HMS and CleanKore position themselves as catalysts for compliance-ready, lower-impact production.
The two companies will begin pilot programmes and commercial rollouts in the coming months, inviting mills and laundries to test the integrated model. If scaled, the combined system could set a new benchmark for denim sustainability—offering manufacturers a credible pathway to reduce emissions, eliminate sludge, and future-proof their processes against tightening regulatory pressures.
For the global denim sector, where environmental concerns are longstanding and solutions often fragmented, the HMS–CleanKore partnership marks a meaningful step toward cleaner production systems.
