How Advance Denim Saves 94 Percent of Water During ‘Innovative’ Dyeing Process

SJ Studio
·3 min read

Since its inception in 1987, China’s Advance Denim has sought out new and innovative ways to increase its sustainable initiatives—from conserving water usage to incorporating the latest sustainable fibers into its designs.

Here, Mark Ix, director of North American marketing at Advance Denim, discusses the denim mill’s latest innovations and exclusive collection.

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Rivet: Advance Denim recently released an exclusive collection of denim bags. How did you choose your partner for this category expansion? 

Mark Ix: Advance Denim wanted to create a collection of bags for true denim lovers that show the many capabilities of our mill. So, the first step was to find a designer that is the living embodiment of the denim business, which is why we collaborated with the founder of premium denim brand AG Jeans, Adriano Goldschmied, also known as [the] “Godfather of Denim.”

For the collection, Goldschmied incorporated sustainable laser techniques and creative styling which produced a unique accessory for all denim lovers. Additionally, the collection is a unique blend of our proprietary denim manufacturing techniques and innovative laser processes, and his creativity.

Tell us about Advance Denim’s latest innovation, Air Lock. 

M.I.: Air Lock is a patented three-layer construction with an outer layer of laser-friendly indigo modal and an inner layer of ultra-soft Tencel, all sandwiched around a core layer of air that creates a soft, stretchable performance denim. Additionally, Air Lock incorporates the latest sustainable fibers like Good Earth’s regenerative cotton, a climate-positive cotton created through modern regenerative farming practices proven to minimize the global environmental footprint of cotton farming. It is the perfect intersection of softness and sustainability. Lastly, this groundbreaking innovation was honored as the best product at the Spring/Summer 25 ISPO Textrends competition.

How is Advance Denim elevating its dyeing process?

M.I.: Advance Denim’s general manager, Amy Wang, is constantly working toward innovating the indigo dyeing process to be the cleanest, most sustainable dye process possible—without sacrificing the traditional yarn-dyed indigo look and wash down.

For example, our selvedge styles are created slowly on vintage shuttle looms—a vintage weaving machine used before modern projectile looms were invented—that celebrate the history of denim.

Wang believes it is important to make real permanent changes to the manufacturing process while keeping the beauty of indigo dyeing. That said, Advance Denim will continue to innovate its manufacturing process as well as partner with key fiber suppliers in 2024 to improve sustainability and circularity.

What are the two sustainability perspectives Advance Denim looks at when tackling new innovations? 

M.I.: Advance Denim takes a two-tiered approach to sustainable innovation. The first is to look inward at our manufacturing process and ensure we have the most sustainable technology. This focus created cutting-edge technologies, including BigBox Denim and BioBlue indigo which dye indigo in one big box, saving up to 94 percent of the water needed in traditional dyeing. Additionally, it puts the indigo into reduction without using toxic sodium hydrosulfite. These innovations not only create cleaner, more sustainable denim, but literally change the manufacturing process without sacrificing the true indigo-dyed look.

The second approach to sustainability is to partner with the most innovative fiber suppliers so we have the most sustainable ingredients in our denim. Good Earth’s regenerative cotton and carbon zero Tencel—fibers created with Refibra’s technology in 2021 to address circular economy solutions—are examples of fibers that help Advance Denim lead with sustainability.

Learn more about Advance Denim Limited here.

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