Calik’s Denim Developments Using TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color Technology
Lenzing’s recent fiber launch is disrupting conventional indigo dyeing for a lessened environmental impact.
Instead of dyeing fibers once they are manufactured, TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology takes coloration earlier in the process. Indigo pigment is added to the liquid modal solution before it is extruded, creating fibers that have color embedded. Compared to conventional dyeing—which uses significant energy, water and chemicals to get fibers to take color through soaking—TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology cuts water, energy and wastewater by more than 99 percent. And the technology boasts an 80 percent reduction in chemical use.
Turkish denim mill Calik Denim is among the manufacturers leveraging the spun-dyed modal fibers. We spoke with Pinar Demirel, marketing communications manager at Calik, to hear how the manufacturer is producing denim using this new innovation.
Carved in Blue: Tell us about your TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology development. What constructions did you make?
Pinar: At Calik Denim, we use 100 percent TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology in the warp of our Myla and Kyla product families in the D’enovated concept, which attracted great interest in the industry.
Carved in Blue: Why did you want to use this fiber in your collection?
Pinar: As a premium denim fabric manufacturer that has placed sustainability at the center of its business model with the strategy of “Passion for Denim, Passion for Life,” we believe that TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology fiber has a great advantage in terms of sustainability. Thanks to the use of this fiber, we think that it will make a high contribution to water, energy and chemical savings since rope winding, indigo dyeing stages and rope opening processes are not required in denim production.
Carved in Blue: What laundry treatments did you develop which are suitable for this fabric?
Pinar: This is a fiber that gives technically different results compared to other fibers. It does not behave like classical denim; it doesn’t get sandpaper and stone effect. At the same time, since it is 100 percent modal, bringing the risk of hair growth, it is important to do the treatment by considering these details. We, here at Calik Denim, prefer laser and ozone washings in our qualities where we use this fiber. In this way, effects can be given and light color shades can be reached.
Carved in Blue: What else do you plan to develop? What do you see as the future for TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology?
Pinar: Our plan is to use indigo modal in Calik Denim’s other qualities that attract great attention in the industry. We believe that it will attract a lot of attention in knitting in the near future, and it has a great potential in denim, too.