Panther Denim Expands Plant-Based Dye Line to TENCEL™ Fabrications
One of the best ways to address sustainability is by going back to nature. Plant-based solutions are not only grounded in the earth, but they allow materials to more easily return to and nourish soil.
Increasingly, brands and consumers are paying attention to what goes into their jeans, making ingredients all the more important.
“It is clear that the market is hungry for truly sustainable denim developments,” said Tim Huesemann, sales director at Panther Denim. “We have observed the growing consumer demand for sustainability and constantly ask ourselves: Why does the industry often settle for partially sustainable solutions? Who should take the first step toward offering something completely sustainable?”
Panther Denim decided it should be a frontrunner, and set out to create indigo dye without chemicals. On the journey, it discovered that the best way to accomplish this was by looking to the past and to traditional Chinese methods that use natural, plant-derived dyes.
The mill worked with Shuise Dyeing House to develop Planet Indigo, a line of naturally dyed fabrics. Based in Nantong, China, Shuise specializes in traditional local dyeing techniques, preserving these methods.
Taking care of the land, the indigo is harvested by hand and extracted using traditional techniques. Giving back to the soil, the residual will be composted.
“We launched the Planet Indigo collection at the last Kingpins event, and it was a great success,” said Tim. “Encouraged by positive market feedback, we are expanding this collection to include new dyes and materials.”
A new release is “kaki dye,” a deep orange hue with reddish tones that is derived from persimmons. “Kaki” comes from the Japanese word for the fruit-based dye: kakishibu.
Among the new materials that Panther is using in the line are TENCEL™ Modal and Lyocell, the wood-based fibers from Lenzing. Fitting in with the plant-based theme, TENCEL™ is made by turning wood pulp into a viscous solution and then extruding it into fibers. Although manufactured, the fibers are rooted in trees and are biodegradable.
“TENCEL™ is widely regarded as an excellent alternative to cotton, adding unique softness and aesthetic to the denim,” said Tim. “This marks the first step in our journey, and we are exploring further possibilities for Planet Indigo with support from Lenzing.”