ColorZen® is a breakthrough technology thathas transformed the cotton dyeing process, making it significantly more efficient and environmentally friendly for the first time. Cotton is the most popular fabric on the planet, and once treated by ColorZen, it can be dyed using far less water, energy, dye, salt, and toxic chemicals. This is revolutionizing the global cotton dyeing industry. ColorZen is on a scaling path to treat hundreds of millions of pounds of cotton and billions of garments over the next few years.

ColorZen has created a holistic and sustainable solution for cotton dyeing, one of the most inefficient and environmentally problematic links in the textile supply chain today. In doing so, ColorZen has also provided the industry a remarkable new innovation that allows for both beautiful new design along with rapid speed to market. Below is a general overview of ColorZen’s model and how its technology will benefit the future of the industry and the world.

We all wear colored cotton

Until now, there has not been a way to dye cotton without using enormous amounts of water, energy, an chemicals. The current process is not only inefficient, but has a deadly toxic output. In many cases, our precious environment is polluted by this process. This renders fresh water unsafe to drink for millions of people.

Cotton is the most popular fabric on the planet

By positively affecting cotton’s environmental footprint, ColorZen is leading the fashion industry and its consumers into a new era of sustainability. Until now, the industry has not been able to dye cotton without using toxic chemicals. ColorZen technology allows any brand or retailer to produce truly responsible and sustainable garments.

How was cotton dyed before ColorZen?

Raw cotton is grown, harvested, and ginned to remove impurities. The raw fibres are then spun into yarn. A mill knits or weaves the yarn into fabric, and that fabric enters the dyeing process. The dye bath conventionally requires a large amount of water, dye, salt, and chemicals, in order to create a chemical bond between the dye and cotton fabric. ColorZen’s unique treatment adjusts the molecular composition of cotton, allowing it to accept dye without the use of toxic chemicals. The ColorZen® process not only dyes cotton cleaner, it can achieve bolder and brighter colors than ever before.

How does ColorZen do it?

ColorZen’s treatment of cotton creates a natural attraction between the cotton and dye.

ColorZen dyes with 95% less chemicals and zero salt

ColorZen® technology requires a 50% reduction in dyestuff, with 97% dye retention, which means the water left over after a ColorZen dye cycle can be reused. Traditional cotton dyeing techniques require toxic chemicals, which are often dumped into and pollute fresh water sources.

ColorZen allows for innovation in heathers

ColorZen heather yarns are produced by blending a percentage of ColorZen® cotton fiber with conventional cotton fiber. The ColorZen® fiber absorbs the dye while the conventional fiber doesn’t. The fabric (or garment) can be dyed as one piece with one dye bath and a single dye cycle, which results in a multi-colored heather fabric.

ColorZen’s process also accelerates speed to market for heather and patterned garments. ColorZen® fabrics can be stocked in an undyed form and dyed upon demand later down the supply chain. Additionally, unlike conventional heathers, ColorZen® heather fabrics can also be pre-bleached so bright heather colors or even pastel colors can be produced.

Sourcing in India

In India, questions about ColorZen® can be directed to ‘Tangibles’, a Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu-based company. Tangibles is headed by Kumareswar, who has over 28 years of experience in the apparel industry.

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