Premium denim manufacturer Candiani Denim has won the Itma Sustainable Innovation Award, held in conjunction with Itma 2019, the itinerant global platform and trade show held every four years presenting the latest innovation in textile and garment manufacturing technology.
Candiani won thanks to its innovative product Re-Gen, a “circular denim” fabric created from regenerated and recycled raw materials. Fifty percent of the Re-Gen fabric comprises Tencel x Refibra Lyocell made of pulp from cotton scraps and wood pulp using Lenzing’s efficient closed-loop process; the other 50% consists of post-industrial recycled Candiani fibers. Candiani’s fabrics are also dyed using green technologies by significantly reducing water and chemicals in the fabric production and jean washing process.
Alberto Candiani, president, Candiani SpA, while explaining that the fabric was created to commemorate the company’s 80th anniversary, said: “We are a strong believer in sustainability. In creating the Re-Gen fabric, we leveraged Lenzing’s Tencel Lyocell fibers with Refibra technology, and combined it with our in-house expertise to create an innovative product that is fashionable and environmentally friendly at the same time.”
Nominated for the award by Itma 2019 exhibitor Lenzing Ag, Candiani Denim received the trophy from Fritz P. Mayer, president, Cematex at a presentation ceremony on the opening day of Itma 2019.
Mayer said: “We would like to congratulate both Candiani Denim and Lenzing for their excellent collaboration. Cematex launched the Itma Sustainable Innovation Award in 2015 as we would like to encourage greater industry collaboration and synergies, as well as spur more research and development efforts. Ultimately, we need innovation to drive our business and contribute to a more circular economy.”
The two other finalists of the Itma Industry Excellence Award, Levi Strauss & Co, and Lee, were also praised for their efforts to introduce green innovations into their products and processes.
Read also:
