Atlantic Mills Commits to Sustainable Alternatives in Denim Fabrics
There is a new dawn arising. Denim manufacturers, like Atlantic Mills, are making the switch to more sustainable material solutions for their denim.
The Thailand-based denim manufacturer is stepping up its environmental commitments in three core areas designed to yield eco-responsible alternatives to conventionally grown cotton.
What’s more, Atlantic Mills’ fabrics incorporate 100 percent Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) cotton, which means the cotton is sourced from farms and facilities with fair working conditions and environmentally-sound agricultural practices.
Here, Carved in Blue caught up with Amrin Sachathep, director at Atlantic Mills, to discuss why TENCEL™ Lyocell is a prime choice for its denim fabrics and how the industry can pursue new sourcing methods for a more circular future.
Carved in Blue: What are Atlantic Mills’ key sustainability initiatives?
Amrin: We have three stories we would like to explore. The first story involves an eco-initiative that combines organic cotton and TENCEL™ Lyocell. The second story involves a total recycle project combining recycled cotton and TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell with recycled poly weft with eco-friendly t-400 and Lycra fibers. And the last is the Sub-ZERO Cotton Initiative which involves a concept of only Lenzing fibers with the imitation of 80’s blue shades. Apart from the above goals, Atlantic uses only 100 percent BCI Cotton as we believe traceability is the forgotten subject that is not being talked about in the industry today.
Carved in Blue: What do you call your “no cotton” fabric?
Amrin: For now we are going with a simple name, Sub-ZERO. We believe that the future of apparel is products that can be recycled 100 percent. The key being that the brands source fabrics that can later be recycled again as well.
Carved in Blue: Why did you develop a denim fabric with no cotton?
Amrin: Cotton growers only plant once per year, and takes 180 days to harvest; plus/minus a month for preparation of the new crop. So this means we have to buy from different regions to be able to run the mill 365 days a year. Generally, this is separated by the southern hemisphere where harvest is in August-December, and the northern hemisphere where harvest is in Jan-May. Where stability is concerned, cotton still has a long way to go. Because as climate change becomes inevitable, crop growth in different regions around the world are getting affected too. TENCEL™ Lyocell is a good alternative because it can be consistently provided with good strength, as well as the softness.
Carved in Blue: What is it about TENCEL™ Lyocell that makes it work for this fabric?
Amrin: TENCEL™ Lyocell is a sustainable alternative to cotton. The product uses less water and less land than of cotton. More importantly, TENCEL™ Lyocell does not require pesticides or irrigation – and is 100 percent biodegradable/compostable.
Carved in Blue: What is the reaction of brands to the product?
Amrin: Sustainability is the key word here. And TENCEL™ Lyocell stands on the top of the pyramid as a product that is eco-friendly and safe for the environment. So brands are really pushing for the product and this is the reason Atlantic Mills has strived to create a product using TENCEL™ Lyocell that looks as closely as possible to our [cotton] denims.