In Episode 29 of Jeansland, Andrew Olah takes a solo dive into one of denim’s most pressing sustainability questions: how much water does indigo dyeing actually consume?
For years, mills have made bold claims about water savings in indigo dyeing. At trade shows like Kingpins, buyers and designers often hear impressive statistics, but without a benchmark, it’s been impossible to separate fact from greenwashing. That’s why the Transformers Foundation launched an industry-first study: A Reference for Water Consumption During Indigo Dyeing.
The 50-page report, conducted by the Indigo Council with input from leading mills including Candiani, Orta, Soorty, Naveena, Crescent Bahuman, and machinery leaders Morrison and Karl Mayer, sets the first global reference point for water use in denim’s two most common dyeing methods: rope dyeing and slasher dyeing.
Key Findings from the Report
- Average water use: Rope dyeing consumes about 13–15 liters per kilogram of yarn, while slasher dyeing uses 7–12 liters per kilogram.
- Best-practice potential: With optimized processes, water use can be reduced to as little as 3.85 L/kg (rope) and 3.4 L/kg (slasher).
- Efficiency: Rope dyeing achieves indigo fixation rates of 93–95%, compared to 85–94% for slasher dyeing.
- No visual difference: Despite technical distinctions, denim made with rope or slasher dyeing looks identical—making sustainability metrics even more crucial.
As Andrew highlights in the episode, this benchmark is a breakthrough for designers, buyers, and brands who want facts rather than marketing spin. In an era where the EU Green Claims Directive and other regulations demand proof behind sustainability claims, this report equips the denim industry with hard data to guide responsible decisions.
For anyone sourcing denim or evaluating suppliers, the message is clear: ask mills the right questions, compare their data against this new benchmark, and demand transparency. With water scarcity intensifying globally, the future of denim depends on it.
Listen & Download
🎧 Listen to Episode 29 of Jeansland → Listen here
📄 Download the full Transformers Foundation report → Download the report
One Response
I’m very interested in sustainability practices. Also in all things denim or leather. I’d love to read this report. If we can help the planet with diminishing the use of cotton and water waste, it would be a big stride and achievement.