How Prosperity Textile Makes ‘Good Old Denim’ Greener
China’s Prosperity Textile is full steam ahead on sustainability. But as it trades up to less impactful processes and materials, it is choosing options that retain the traditional look and feel of denim.
The mill is a Bluesign partner and focused on making production cleaner. It is also opting for fibers such as TENCEL™ Lyocell, TENCEL™ Modal and TENCEL™ with REFIBRA™ technology that offer a low environmental impact. Part of the Jeans Redesign program from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Prosperity is also working to make denim more circular.
Prosperity Textile’s creative director Bart Van de Woestyne chatted with Carved in Blue about his company’s sustainability path and how it is incorporating TENCEL™ fibers into its eco-friendly collections.
Carved in Blue: What is the denim trend in focus?
Bart: Sustainability, circularity and transparency keep on driving the denim business, however without compromising on quality or aesthetic.
Carved in Blue: What is the sustainable story behind your TENCEL™ capsule collection?
Bart: Next to incorporating sustainable fibers based on regenerated cellulose such as TENCEL™, we focus on recycled cotton or fiber technology incorporating recycled textiles, applying water and chemical saving dyeing and finishing processes that finally turn it into authentic denim.
Carved in Blue: How do you combine TENCEL™ fibers into your sustainable concept?
Bart: Prosperity’s Neo-Vintage concept adds TENCEL™ together with a small amount of stretch to offer extra softness and freedom of movement, without compromising on authentic looks.
In the Matte Lux concept, we incorporate 100 percent TENCEL™, which through a proprietary spinning technique offers lightweight denims combining the softness and drape of TENCEL™ while greatly reducing sheen.
Carved in Blue: What are the essential elements for today’s customers?
Bart: Nowadays, customers except mills and brands to maximize their sustainable contributions by scrutinizing every step of the process and be transparent about it. It’s about responsibility and trust, in which credible technology plays a major role.
Carved in Blue: What is the sustainable journey of your company?
Bart: The sustainable journey for Prosperity is to further incorporate these technologies as they emerge and are being scaled up: push water savings, and use new and best-in-class chemicals and dyes to transform best-in-class fibers into “good old denim.”
