How Natural Materials Support TCE Denim’s Aim for Zero Environmental Impact
TCE Denim is getting back to nature. The mill is embracing less conventional plant-based materials along with TENCEL™ lyocell to create jeans with a sustainable story.
This emphasis on eco-conscious textile development delivers what customers are seeking while also helping TCE reduce its own impact. As part of this sustainability effort, the mill is also taking inspiration from traditional practices that are harmonious with the earth.
Here, Fred Kong, sales manager of TCE, shares details of the mill’s TENCEL™ collaboration and what it is learning from Vietnam’s Hmong people.
Carved in Blue: What is the denim trend in focus?
Fred: TCE implements a natural and authentic look with TENCEL™-blend materials, featuring a loose, oversized silhouette and flowing, open weave. Wide pants, utility styles, workwear, etc.
Carved in Blue: What is the sustainable story behind this collection?
Fred: The sustainable design emphasizes basic denim that looks natural and can be worn for a long time. It is also a style that can be easily matched and worn for a long time. In addition, the TCE design R&D team is developing a laser print collection as a denim mill trend. Laser print can contribute to strengthening the fabric character as well as reducing environmental impact. It also reduces the wash process, enhances additional fabric character, etc.
Carved in Blue: How do you combine TENCEL™ fibers into your sustainable concept?
Fred: This collection is a Lenzing X TCE collaboration with TENCEL™-blended fabric. TENCEL™ is one of the most sustainable fibers because it’s harvested from certified wood sources and is fully compostable and biodegradable.
This material emphasizes eco-friendliness, creates a minimal washing effect and highlights the natural soft characteristics of the material. Therefore, we are introducing a product that satisfies the preferences of those who prefer a soft touch with TENCEL™ blend.
Additionally, we are combining many other sustainable newness, natural fibers such as kapok, sisal, abaca and recycled fibers like ocean Repreve, functional Coolmax All Season and Eco-Made dualFX to make more value added and functional product.
Carved in Blue: What are the essential elements for customers nowadays?
Fred: The vast majority of brands are looking for sustainable materials such as recycled cotton, recycled polyester, carbon-reduced, bio-based eco-friendly materials included, which is not optional any longer. Brands seek these factors because consumers are more and more interested in global environment impact. Because we have to provide our planet Earth as clean as possible for our future generation’s prosperity.
Carved in Blue: What is the sustainable journey of your company?
Fred: Recently we made a new project, “TCE Learning from Hmong,” called Ancient Future. It is to learn from those native people with indigo ecology, the Hmong tribe in Sapa town Vietnam, about living together with nature and living like nature using natural resources, which is 100 percent sustainable. TCE Denim is trying to follow Hmong’s way for zero footprint.
As an indigo denim maker, TCE could learn what we should do at this serious moment associated with our facing serious environment and planet circumstances. Above all, TCE Denim people can realize our ways are not quite different with Hmong people’s lessons since TCE Denim’s operational goal is achieving the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Responsibility for our community. TCE will keep doing efforts in denim production for zero environmental impact and zero discharge by following Hmong people’s lesson.