Eco PRK Sustainable Denim

Eco PRK has been washing and developing new ways to improve technology in the fashion industry for private labels and two lines of their own Tortoise Jeans and Natural Cast.  They want to expose the back end of the denim washing process, the problem and offer a solution that denim can be washed without the use of any chemicals and with little to no water at all.  They are continually finding and innovating new ways to an old process of washing denim.  The company was established in 2013, by co-founders Kevin Young, Daniel Park and Myung Koh.  

Eco PRK, People Reshaping know how, started with a dream of creating a place where laundry water runs clear and no chemicals pollute the environment.  This place was never heard of and many people did not believe that this could be true.  It was generally accepted that denim cannot be washed without water or chemicals.  So this company set out on a journey to prove to the world that anything is possible. They planted a little seed, nurtured it and saw how it has grown into what is now Eco PRK.

Kevin Young made living out of college in one of the best denim factories in the US where he had grown fond of indigo.  As his mentor, Adiano Goldschmied nurtured his love for denim and this passion lead him to dig deeper into the process of jeans manufacturing.  This enabled him to realize how the production of this standard jeans involves plenty of harmful chemical and tons of energy and water waste.

They came up with an innovative organic waste patent pending (#13746144) method with the goal of providing the possibility of creating beautiful, ethical organic and transparent denim without depleting the planet of its natural resources.

They use 80% less water, they use 70% less energy and they say that they use no harmful chemicals.

By going green on your blue jeans, you help preserve the planet for the next generation.

This all sounds like very good news for denim jean factories.  Hopefully they will be buying denim fabrics from mills that are working toward saving the environment.

Learn more about Eco PRK denim solutions at http://ecoprk.com/

You may want to also learn about stone washing jeans.  Also, if you have some spare time, I would suggest reading the denim dictionary blog post which will lead you to a nice denim glossary so that you can continue your research on this subject.

Go with Indigo

Levi has taken indigo in every direction this season.  Think rich, saturated hues, overdyed to perfection and designed to age perfectly the more you wear them. They age better than a fine wine.

Cut for a standard fit in a super soft knit, this basic crewneck sweatshirt is an essential with lightweight feel and fleece-like lining. Features a V-stitch at the neck and ribbing along the neck, side panels, cuffs and hem. This one features sequin detailing at the neck for a touch of charm.

Shoe for blue hues and rich indigo at http://www.levi.com

If you were asking yourself, "What is Indigo?", you may want to read the indigo definition here on Apparel Search.

Rebel Blues

Inspired by vintage denim and indigo aged-to-perfection, Lucky Brand created jeans in compromised, authentic washes and just the right amount of distressed detail.

Visit Lucky Brand to learn more about the Rebel Blues collection of jeans.

Denim jeans aged to perfection.

DeniLite Cold Bleaching Solution from Novozymes

Novozymes’ new technology offers cold bleaching to denim manufactures.  Diverse denim looks can be achieved with the latest enzymatic innovation.  Working with cold water and reducing the use of the chemicals, the solution quickens the denim bleaching process, and secures higher quality denim.

Almost 20 years ago, denim bleaching became safer and more sustainable with the launch of Novozymes DeniLite®. Using enzymatic technology instead of harsh chemicals, the solution offered a gentle alternative for denim processing. Novozymes’ latest offering is a cold bleaching product known as DeniLite® Cold.

Cold, gentle and rapid processing is the key to this products success in the apparel industry.

According to Ole Bill Jørgensen, business development manager for Novozymes' Textile division, “Our cold bleaching solution is effective at tap water temperature,”  He goes on to say that, “Other bleaching technologies require the use of more energy or water, and in some cases more process steps, to achieve the same bleaching effect.”

The enzymatic bleaching solutions that are currently available are usually based on enzymes known as laccases.  They alter the indigo through oxidation.  Depending on oxygen from the water or from the air, this form of denim bleaching can take a long time, and the processing step can require repetition.  The new cold bleaching solution is based on enzymes known as peroxidases, and this innovation is formulated to work without extra oxygen from either the air or water.  This new peroxidase has a very rapid reaction speed - 90% of the reaction finishes within 10 minutes.

The cold bleaching technology also secures improved fabric durability due to the gentle bleaching conditions.  Enzymatic solutions are extremely specific, working only on the indigo dye on the fabric.  Unlike harsher bleaching chemicals, this means that strength and elasticity of the fabric remains unchanged.

Fashionable enzymes at work on fabric:

Fabrics are often colored using both indigo and sulphur dyes.  The cold bleaching solution is very effective when used with indigo dyes.  It does not bleach black or brown sulfur dyes, and only slightly alters the tone of blue sulfur dye.  This means that different color tones can be achieved with the same fabric using different dye combinations. The shades of cold finished fabrics can be very different from those finished with traditional chemicals.

“Novozymes’ cold bleaching solution can achieve in-demand fashion looks,” says Ole Bill Jørgensen. “Denim processors can apply this technology to current trends and create diverse looks for brand owners very quickly.  Even just one wash cycle using this technology can create a variety of different color tones.  We believe the full fashion potential will be further explored when the technology becomes broadly available to the industry.”

Novozymes was founded in 2000 in a demerger from pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. Novozymes’ roots date back to the 1920s when Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium and Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium were established in Copenhagen, Denmark. Enzyme production began in 1941.

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation.  Their business is industrial enzymes, microorganisms, and biopharmaceutical ingredients. Enzymes are proteins, and in nature they initiate biochemical reactions in all living organisms. It is enzymes that convert the food in our stomachs to energy and turn the falling leaves in the forest to compost.  Novozymes finds enzymes in nature and optimize them for use in industry.  In industry, enzymes replace chemicals and accelerate production processes.  Enzymes are widely used in laundry and dishwashing detergents where they remove stains and enable low-temperature washing and concentrated detergents.

This company helps their customers make more from less, while saving energy and generating less waste.  This is good for both the garment industry and our environment.  Apparel Search applauds them for working to improve the level of waste that takes place in the textile industry.

Learn more about fabrics and the textile industry here on Apparel Search.

Thank you for taking the time to read this new product news.  If you are a denim designer or manufacturer working with denim fabrics, please share your thoughts on this product & process in the discussion area below.  We would like your questions, thoughts, and opinions.

DeniLite Cold Bleaching Solution from Novozymes

Novozymes’ new technology offers cold bleaching to denim manufactures.  Diverse denim looks can be achieved with the latest enzymatic innovation.  Working with cold water and reducing the use of the chemicals, the solution quickens the denim bleaching process, and secures higher quality denim.

Almost 20 years ago, denim bleaching became safer and more sustainable with the launch of Novozymes DeniLite®. Using enzymatic technology instead of harsh chemicals, the solution offered a gentle alternative for denim processing. Novozymes’ latest offering is a cold bleaching product known as DeniLite® Cold.

Cold, gentle and rapid processing is the key to this products success in the apparel industry.

According to Ole Bill Jørgensen, business development manager for Novozymes' Textile division, “Our cold bleaching solution is effective at tap water temperature,”  He goes on to say that, “Other bleaching technologies require the use of more energy or water, and in some cases more process steps, to achieve the same bleaching effect.”

The enzymatic bleaching solutions that are currently available are usually based on enzymes known as laccases.  They alter the indigo through oxidation.  Depending on oxygen from the water or from the air, this form of denim bleaching can take a long time, and the processing step can require repetition.  The new cold bleaching solution is based on enzymes known as peroxidases, and this innovation is formulated to work without extra oxygen from either the air or water.  This new peroxidase has a very rapid reaction speed - 90% of the reaction finishes within 10 minutes.

The cold bleaching technology also secures improved fabric durability due to the gentle bleaching conditions.  Enzymatic solutions are extremely specific, working only on the indigo dye on the fabric.  Unlike harsher bleaching chemicals, this means that strength and elasticity of the fabric remains unchanged.

Fashionable enzymes at work on fabric:

Fabrics are often colored using both indigo and sulphur dyes.  The cold bleaching solution is very effective when used with indigo dyes.  It does not bleach black or brown sulfur dyes, and only slightly alters the tone of blue sulfur dye.  This means that different color tones can be achieved with the same fabric using different dye combinations. The shades of cold finished fabrics can be very different from those finished with traditional chemicals.

“Novozymes’ cold bleaching solution can achieve in-demand fashion looks,” says Ole Bill Jørgensen. “Denim processors can apply this technology to current trends and create diverse looks for brand owners very quickly.  Even just one wash cycle using this technology can create a variety of different color tones.  We believe the full fashion potential will be further explored when the technology becomes broadly available to the industry.”

Novozymes was founded in 2000 in a demerger from pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. Novozymes’ roots date back to the 1920s when Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium and Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium were established in Copenhagen, Denmark. Enzyme production began in 1941.

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation.  Their business is industrial enzymes, microorganisms, and biopharmaceutical ingredients. Enzymes are proteins, and in nature they initiate biochemical reactions in all living organisms. It is enzymes that convert the food in our stomachs to energy and turn the falling leaves in the forest to compost.  Novozymes finds enzymes in nature and optimize them for use in industry.  In industry, enzymes replace chemicals and accelerate production processes.  Enzymes are widely used in laundry and dishwashing detergents where they remove stains and enable low-temperature washing and concentrated detergents.

This company helps their customers make more from less, while saving energy and generating less waste.  This is good for both the garment industry and our environment.  Apparel Search applauds them for working to improve the level of waste that takes place in the textile industry.

Learn more about fabrics and the textile industry here on Apparel Search.

Thank you for taking the time to read this new product news.  If you are a denim designer or manufacturer working with denim fabrics, please share your thoughts on this product & process in the discussion area below.  We would like your questions, thoughts, and opinions.

DeniLite Cold Bleaching Solution from Novozymes

Novozymes’ new technology offers cold bleaching to denim manufactures.  Diverse denim looks can be achieved with the latest enzymatic innovation.  Working with cold water and reducing the use of the chemicals, the solution quickens the denim bleaching process, and secures higher quality denim.

Almost 20 years ago, denim bleaching became safer and more sustainable with the launch of Novozymes DeniLite®. Using enzymatic technology instead of harsh chemicals, the solution offered a gentle alternative for denim processing. Novozymes’ latest offering is a cold bleaching product known as DeniLite® Cold.

Cold, gentle and rapid processing is the key to this products success in the apparel industry.

According to Ole Bill Jørgensen, business development manager for Novozymes' Textile division, “Our cold bleaching solution is effective at tap water temperature,”  He goes on to say that, “Other bleaching technologies require the use of more energy or water, and in some cases more process steps, to achieve the same bleaching effect.”

The enzymatic bleaching solutions that are currently available are usually based on enzymes known as laccases.  They alter the indigo through oxidation.  Depending on oxygen from the water or from the air, this form of denim bleaching can take a long time, and the processing step can require repetition.  The new cold bleaching solution is based on enzymes known as peroxidases, and this innovation is formulated to work without extra oxygen from either the air or water.  This new peroxidase has a very rapid reaction speed - 90% of the reaction finishes within 10 minutes.

The cold bleaching technology also secures improved fabric durability due to the gentle bleaching conditions.  Enzymatic solutions are extremely specific, working only on the indigo dye on the fabric.  Unlike harsher bleaching chemicals, this means that strength and elasticity of the fabric remains unchanged.

Fashionable enzymes at work on fabric:

Fabrics are often colored using both indigo and sulphur dyes.  The cold bleaching solution is very effective when used with indigo dyes.  It does not bleach black or brown sulfur dyes, and only slightly alters the tone of blue sulfur dye.  This means that different color tones can be achieved with the same fabric using different dye combinations. The shades of cold finished fabrics can be very different from those finished with traditional chemicals.

“Novozymes’ cold bleaching solution can achieve in-demand fashion looks,” says Ole Bill Jørgensen. “Denim processors can apply this technology to current trends and create diverse looks for brand owners very quickly.  Even just one wash cycle using this technology can create a variety of different color tones.  We believe the full fashion potential will be further explored when the technology becomes broadly available to the industry.”

Novozymes was founded in 2000 in a demerger from pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. Novozymes’ roots date back to the 1920s when Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium and Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium were established in Copenhagen, Denmark. Enzyme production began in 1941.

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation.  Their business is industrial enzymes, microorganisms, and biopharmaceutical ingredients. Enzymes are proteins, and in nature they initiate biochemical reactions in all living organisms. It is enzymes that convert the food in our stomachs to energy and turn the falling leaves in the forest to compost.  Novozymes finds enzymes in nature and optimize them for use in industry.  In industry, enzymes replace chemicals and accelerate production processes.  Enzymes are widely used in laundry and dishwashing detergents where they remove stains and enable low-temperature washing and concentrated detergents.

This company helps their customers make more from less, while saving energy and generating less waste.  This is good for both the garment industry and our environment.  Apparel Search applauds them for working to improve the level of waste that takes place in the textile industry.

Learn more about fabrics and the textile industry here on Apparel Search.

Thank you for taking the time to read this new product news.  If you are a denim designer or manufacturer working with denim fabrics, please share your thoughts on this product & process in the discussion area below.  We would like your questions, thoughts, and opinions.

DeniLite Cold Bleaching Solution from Novozymes

Novozymes’ new technology offers cold bleaching to denim manufactures.  Diverse denim looks can be achieved with the latest enzymatic innovation.  Working with cold water and reducing the use of the chemicals, the solution quickens the denim bleaching process, and secures higher quality denim.

Almost 20 years ago, denim bleaching became safer and more sustainable with the launch of Novozymes DeniLite®. Using enzymatic technology instead of harsh chemicals, the solution offered a gentle alternative for denim processing. Novozymes’ latest offering is a cold bleaching product known as DeniLite® Cold.

Cold, gentle and rapid processing is the key to this products success in the apparel industry.

According to Ole Bill Jørgensen, business development manager for Novozymes' Textile division, “Our cold bleaching solution is effective at tap water temperature,”  He goes on to say that, “Other bleaching technologies require the use of more energy or water, and in some cases more process steps, to achieve the same bleaching effect.”

The enzymatic bleaching solutions that are currently available are usually based on enzymes known as laccases.  They alter the indigo through oxidation.  Depending on oxygen from the water or from the air, this form of denim bleaching can take a long time, and the processing step can require repetition.  The new cold bleaching solution is based on enzymes known as peroxidases, and this innovation is formulated to work without extra oxygen from either the air or water.  This new peroxidase has a very rapid reaction speed - 90% of the reaction finishes within 10 minutes.

The cold bleaching technology also secures improved fabric durability due to the gentle bleaching conditions.  Enzymatic solutions are extremely specific, working only on the indigo dye on the fabric.  Unlike harsher bleaching chemicals, this means that strength and elasticity of the fabric remains unchanged.

Fashionable enzymes at work on fabric:

Fabrics are often colored using both indigo and sulphur dyes.  The cold bleaching solution is very effective when used with indigo dyes.  It does not bleach black or brown sulfur dyes, and only slightly alters the tone of blue sulfur dye.  This means that different color tones can be achieved with the same fabric using different dye combinations. The shades of cold finished fabrics can be very different from those finished with traditional chemicals.

“Novozymes’ cold bleaching solution can achieve in-demand fashion looks,” says Ole Bill Jørgensen. “Denim processors can apply this technology to current trends and create diverse looks for brand owners very quickly.  Even just one wash cycle using this technology can create a variety of different color tones.  We believe the full fashion potential will be further explored when the technology becomes broadly available to the industry.”

Novozymes was founded in 2000 in a demerger from pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. Novozymes’ roots date back to the 1920s when Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium and Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium were established in Copenhagen, Denmark. Enzyme production began in 1941.

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation.  Their business is industrial enzymes, microorganisms, and biopharmaceutical ingredients. Enzymes are proteins, and in nature they initiate biochemical reactions in all living organisms. It is enzymes that convert the food in our stomachs to energy and turn the falling leaves in the forest to compost.  Novozymes finds enzymes in nature and optimize them for use in industry.  In industry, enzymes replace chemicals and accelerate production processes.  Enzymes are widely used in laundry and dishwashing detergents where they remove stains and enable low-temperature washing and concentrated detergents.

This company helps their customers make more from less, while saving energy and generating less waste.  This is good for both the garment industry and our environment.  Apparel Search applauds them for working to improve the level of waste that takes place in the textile industry.

Learn more about fabrics and the textile industry here on Apparel Search.

Thank you for taking the time to read this new product news.  If you are a denim designer or manufacturer working with denim fabrics, please share your thoughts on this product & process in the discussion area below.  We would like your questions, thoughts, and opinions.

Color Crush with Indigo Blue

You can find indigo everything at Chico's.