1. The Importance of Colour for Sustainability in the Textile Industry

Colour is more than just an aesthetic choice; it’s a key factor in sustainable textile production. For example, dope dyeing, a technique where pigments are added directly to the polymer solution before the fibers are spun, eliminates the need for additional dyeing steps, thus saving water and chemicals. This approach not only conserves resources but also promotes the creation of timeless colour strategies, reducing waste and enhancing the longevity of fashion items.

Jana Resch, Product Development Apparel, emphasizes that “new and sustainable dyeing processes are crucial for reducing water consumption and chemical usage.” Similarly, Lisa Polk, Expert for Responsible Design Strategies, highlights that “sustainable design means not following every trend but developing timeless colour strategies.”

2. Challenges of Colour in Sustainable Textile Production

Colour presents several sustainability challenges in the textile industry. Dyeing small batches can lead to high water consumption. Designers frequently change colours, leading to extensive lab dipping processes and increased resource usage. Additionally, designers need to be informed about these challenges and encouraged to adopt sustainable colour strategies, such as using core colours that are always in stock and limiting seasonal colours to essential accents.

Jana Resch notes that “colour is a major challenge with small order quantities, leading to high water consumption.” Lisa Polk adds that “designers are used to ordering any colour and changing it during the process, extending the lab dipping process unnecessarily. A colour strategy aimed at minimizing colours can be a solution.” Carmen Keim, from Colour Management, points out that “design teams can use portable colour management devices to capture colours on the go for their collections, saving costs, time, and resources.”

3. Regulatory Requirements for Dye Production and Use

Compliance with legal and voluntary standards is essential for sustainable dyeing processes. Companies must adhere to chemical regulations like REACH in the EU, ensure environmental standards for air and water emissions, and meet health standards to avoid risks to workers and consumers. Proper labeling of dyes, including ingredient disclosure and safety warnings, is also mandatory.

4. Ensuring Compliance with Environmental and Health Standards

To meet these standards, companies can regularly review and adjust processes, adopt eco-friendly technologies, educate employees on regulations and best practices, and collaborate with experts. Ann-Christin Nickel, from CSR, explains that “by continuously striving to meet and exceed regulatory requirements, such as adopting stricter RSLs or MRSLs, companies can ensure their dyeing processes meet the highest environmental and health standards.”

5. Innovations in the Textile Industry

Innovative dyeing techniques are reducing water and chemical use. Dope dyeing, for instance, integrates pigments into the polymer solution, eliminating additional dyeing steps and significantly saving water. Natural pigments and bacterial dyes offer eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic dyes. Recycled dyes in printing techniques show promise, despite compatibility issues with mono-material strategies. Non-dye techniques like laser cutouts and ultrasonic logos provide visual effects without additional dyeing.

Lisa Polk mentions that “using techniques like laser cutouts or ultrasonic logos, we can avoid using additional dyes and work tonally with the base material.”

6. Reducing Carbon Footprint and Water Consumption in Dyeing Methods

Adopting innovative dyeing processes can significantly reduce environmental impact. Digital printing uses less water than traditional dyeing methods. Factories utilizing renewable energy further reduce their carbon footprint. Efficient dyeing processes reduce water and energy consumption by 25% and 20%, respectively. Lisa Polk suggests that “designers should focus on producing more of one colour at once, such as black or navy, and keep these as stock items (Never out of Stock – NOOS products).”

7. Sympatex’s Colour Innovation Efforts

Sympatex is at the forefront of sustainable dyeing. We are experimenting with CO₂ dyeing and promoting innovative technologies through product development. We conduct workshops to educate clients on sustainable branding without traditional dyes. Efficient colour management is achieved by reviewing lab dip requests and using digital tools like DMIX®, avoiding redundant processes and saving time and resources. Carmen Keim explains that “Colour Management reviews every lab dip request to see if a similar or identical one has already been made before starting a new process, saving time and resources.”

8. The Role of Digital Technologies and AI in Colour Management

Digital tools and AI are transforming colour management in the textile industry. The DMIX® labdipping process enables early colour assessment, reducing the need for physical samples. Digital prototyping allows designers to create digital collections, share, and modify them without producing physical samples. Digital fabric libraries provide customers with access to a digital portfolio, reducing the need for physical sample shipments.

Lisa Polk highlights that “digital tools like DMIX® help assess colours earlier and make better decisions, reducing unnecessary revisions.” Carmen Keim adds that “our digital fabric library helps customers access our portfolio anytime, reducing the need for sending physical samples.”

9. Sympatex’s Approach

Sympatex stands out by actively promoting sustainability through education and innovative practices. We engage in sustainability impact programs, such as the Circular Design Lab in cooperation with Performance Days, educating clients and stakeholders on sustainable practices. We are always seeking new partnerships and technologies to improve sustainability. We participate in key trade shows like Techtextil and Performance Days to stay informed and foster collaboration.

Anja Palic, from Product Management Apparel, notes that “every innovation must first establish itself in the market and become known to customers, who often revert to traditional methods.”

10. Vision for a Sustainable Textile Industry

The future of textile dyeing involves reducing water, energy, and chemical use through innovative technologies. Promoting dope dyeing and undyed fabrics helps minimize resource consumption. Encouraging the use of renewable energy to power textile production is essential. Continuously seeking new partners and attending industry events helps stay at the forefront of innovation. Lisa Polk emphasizes that “it’s crucial for designers to exchange information and collaborate, applying pressure on suppliers for more sustainable ingredients.”

11. How Can the Industry and Society Contribute to Sustainable Dyeing?

Trends like minimalism indicate a shift towards fewer, more versatile clothing items, reducing the need for extensive colour variations. Collaboration among designers, brands, and consumers is essential to promote and adopt sustainable dyeing practices. Anja Palic explains that “the more customers request dope-dyed yarns, the lower the minimum order quantities can become.”

12. Conclusion

Sustainability in the textile industry, particularly in dyeing processes, is critical for reducing environmental impact. By adopting innovative technologies, complying with regulations, and fostering industry collaboration, the textile industry can move towards more sustainable practices. Sympatex’s commitment to sustainability through education, innovation, and partnership sets a benchmark for the industry, showing that a sustainable future is both possible and necessary. Lisa Polk concludes that “trends like minimalism in wardrobes show a tendency towards fewer, versatile clothing items, indicating that consumers may not necessarily desire a wide variety of colours, but rather a harmonious combination of pieces that can be worn more frequently.”