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Econyl yarn by Aquafil, A
new capsule collection
launched by Burberry Gap taking initiative for
A new capsule collection has been launched by sustainable denim waterless
Burberry crafted with Econyl yarn by Aquafil. The
capsule includes a reinvention of the luxury brand’s
lightweight classic car coat, which was created using dyeing by 2020
Econyl regenerated nylon made from fishing nets,
fabric scraps and industrial nylon waste.
Mr Giulio Bonazzi, President and CEO at Aquafil
commented, “We are delighted to collaborate with
Burberry for this capsule collection. We believe
innovative fibers like Econyl regenerated nylon are
the future and are proud to support brands who
use our yarns, transforming waste into incredible Textile and apparel are the largest water consuming
designs and raising the profile and possibilities of industries. In order to get sustainability and to save
a more circular fashion system.” water, the renowned global apparel brand “Gap” has
taken the initiative of waterless indigo dyeing of denim
Burberry’s heritage is anchored in material innovation similar to their previously implemented water-saving
and the Econyl yarn collection is one example of the technologies like “Washwell”. The innovative process
50 disruptions Burberry is making throughout its “Dry indigo” is going to be launched in 2020 by the
supply chain to create a more sustainable future for combined efforts of Banana Republic and Spanish
fashion, according to the brand. denim mill, Tejidos Royory. Water usage could be
reduced by up to 99%, while also using 89% less
chemicals, reducing energy usage by 65% with no
water wastage at all.
“By application of this revolutionary, ecofriendly dry
Due to increased interest of wearable electronics and scope of such dyeing, Gap Inc.’s manufacturing objective is to
KIST manufactured hydrogel device, researchers have been producing high-performance sensors conserve 10 billion litres of water by the end of 2020”
on surfaces of various shapes and types. Recently, high
said Christophe Roussel. The aesthetic, hand feel,
performance flexible sensor was developed and proclaimed by
and nano ink -based flexible researchers of The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) functionality, and washability of such foam dyed denim
would be comparable to traditional dyed denim along
team working with Dr Hyunjung Yi.
sensors for wearable The transfer printing technique was used for aqueous solution based with less space requirement compared with
conventional dyeing machine.
electronics nano-inks to be printed on the porous and hydrophilic hydrogels Currently, dry process is exclusive to Tejidos Royo.
layer that afterwards solidified. The nano-ink passes through porous
surface leaving only hydrophobic nanomaterial at surface allowing Banana Republic is one of the first brands to try this
technology and going to launch its Indigo dyed
the construction of desired electrode pattern. The electrical collection for both men and women by spring 2020
properties of such flexible electrodes are extraordinary due to purity with 100% Global recycle Standard (GRS) certified
and uniformity of formed nanonetworks. The hydrophobic nature of accessories/trims.
the nanomaterial causes low interaction between it and the hydrogel,
allowing the easy transfer of electrodes onto various topographic Gap claimed that by 2025, 100% of its used cotton will
surfaces. be procured by sustainable sources, starting from
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) that is organic, recycled
Transfer printing was restricted to flat surfaces only and creation of American or Australian grown. Gap and Old Navy will
such devices onto substrate directly was limitation of transfer printing launch their recycled cotton denim in Holiday 2019,
that could be chemically or thermally sensitive. Therefore, KIST team while Banana Republic will launch in Spring 2020.
dealt with these barriers.
July/August 2019 July/August 2019

