Smart-Indigo: dyeing with electricity instead of water

Smart-Indigo: dyeing with electricity instead of water
Eva Engelen
Nov 10, 2020

Smart-Indigo: dyeing with electricity instead of water

For dyeing our Italian denim mill, Pure Denim, uses a patented technology named Smart-Indigo which is an electrochemical process using considerably fewer resources than existing methods. Only relying on electricity, water, indigo pigment and caustic soda, this method requires 6 times less energy leading to a 10 times reduced carbon footprint (for the dyeing process).

The SmartIndigo solution is the most sustainable way to dye denim because it completely skips the use of chemicals, causes zero environmental burdens and health hazards and only discharges oxygen.

This is in sharp contrast to the large amounts of heavily polluted wastewater being released from conventional dying processes, causing bathing and drinking risks and severe biological degradation of many Asian and African waterways. Due to the release of high concentrations of persistent chemicals and heavy metals, many rivers that are of paramount importance for local communities and biodiversity, are now heavily polluted.

Want to know more about water pollution issues related to the fashion and textiles industry? Check out the documentary River Blue that portrays this problem very strongly.

You can find more information on the Smart-Indigo here.

Read more about the HNST production process or discover more HNST stories. 

More Stories

The pollution of the circular economy vocabulary
1

The pollution of the circular economy vocabulary

59% of European fashion giants’ sustainability claims are unsubstantiated or misleading. This communication is polluting the industry.
hnst x Veerle Dejaeger
2

hnst x Veerle Dejaeger

We had the opportunity to create a unique jeans together with Veerle Dejaeger, a young aspiring and inspiring actress. The result is a pair of jeans with an organic print that represents searching and finding your individuality.
HNST against microplastics
3

HNST against microplastics

In order to combat microplastic pollution, HNST fabric does not contain any synthetic fibers or plastic coatings. Read more about our search for a natural stitching yarn. 
Pre-sales to tackle overproduction
4

Pre-sales to tackle overproduction

To tackle overproduction and deadstock, we are launching our newest collection via pre-sales.
Meet our Belgian spinning partner
5

Meet our Belgian spinning partner

In Belgium our recycled denim fibers are spun into the HNST yarn. Get to know the experts behind this process.
Pure Denim: high quality weaving in Italy
6

Pure Denim: high quality weaving in Italy

In Italy, our HNST yarn is woven into a fabric. Meet our Italian denim mill and learn more about the technicalities of denim fabric.
Smart-Indigo: dyeing with electricity instead of water
7

Smart-Indigo: dyeing with electricity instead of water

Over the last decades indigo dyeing, which finds its origine in nature, has become a synthetic process with a considerable impact. With the use of electric, we're able to move away from these harmful practices.
Our HNST footprint
8

Our HNST footprint

HNST has nothing to hide. Therefore we honestly share with you our environmental footprint and remarkable savings.
Morning After Spray: refreshing without washing
9

Morning After Spray: refreshing without washing

40-80% of the total greenhouse gases (CO2) are emitted during the use phase of a garment. To help you reduce this impact, we have developed a Morning After Spray.