#Denim

2021-10-13

Sustainable Denim: Itema brings its iSAVER® to the Denim Premiere Vision

Itema, worldwide leading manufacturer of advanced weaving solutions, exhibits at Denim Première Vision (Milan, Superstudio Più, 13 and 14 October 2021, booth F6) the mechatronic device iSAVER® that, unique in the sector, allows to denim weavers to save up tp 1.000 Kg of cotton per loom per year thus avoiding to waste circa 20 million of liters of water. An innovation 100% made-in-Italy, iSAVER® is already present in the biggest denim weaving mills in China, Vietnam, Turkey, Egypt, Italy and South America.

Denim is one of the most popular fabrics in the world, with 3.5 billion garments produced every year. The denim manufacturing process, which absorbs about 35% of world cotton production and moves a global market that reached 21.8 billion dollars in 2020, has a strong environmental impact. In fact, it is estimated that 3,800 liters of water and 18.3 kWh of electricity are needed to make a single pair of jeans, generating emissions of 33.4 kg of CO2 during the entire life cycle of the product1.

“The entire textile supply chain is constantly looking for ideas and solutions, to improve the sustainability of production processes, by innovating technologies and processing systems to reduce waste, water and electricity consumption ", stated Ugo Ghilardi, CEO Itema Group. “With iSAVER® we have brought an excellent solution to the market, which makes the difference because it allows denim weavers and fashion brands to offer a finished product with a much lower ecological footprint. We are the only textile machinery manufacturer to participate as an exhibitor at Denim Première Vision precisely by virtue of the uniqueness of our technology and the contribution it makes to the production of sustainable denim".

iSAVER® eliminates the waste selvedge on the fabric left-hand side by inserting the weft without the need of additional yarns, thus significantly reducing raw materials and water wastage. The device has been designed and developed by Itemalab®, the Itema Group company dedicated to product and process innovation for the whole industrial sector. Located inside the Kilometro Rosso Innovation District in Bergamo, the company employs around 70 engineers and specialists.

Itema America acquires Palmetto Loom Reed, strengthening local manufacturing and service in the U.S.

Itema America, the U.S. subsidiary of Italy-based Itema Group, has acquired – through an Assets Purchase Agreement – Palmetto Loom Reed, a Greenville, South Carolina-based manufacturer of weaving reeds and one of the last remaining domestic producers of these precision components in the United States.

Itema exhibits the two best-selling high-end rapier weaving machines of the Region, R9500EVO and Galileo-RX at SITEX 2026

Following the opening of its new Surat Service Center in November, Itema will exhibit at SITEX (Stand 286) from February 21st to 23rd at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC). Surat has long been one of Itema’s most strategic markets, a role further reinforced by the inauguration of the Surat Service Center last November. Equipped with an advanced electronic repair center, a weaving machine behavior simulator, and a local spare parts warehouse, the new facility strengthens Itema’s presence in the region while bringing the company even closer to its Customers.

Archroma expands denim possibilities at Kingpins Amsterdam

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, will present a portfolio of six sustainable denim innovations at Kingpins Amsterdam from April 15-16, 2026. Under the theme “Creating Possibilities in Denim”, the showcase reflects Archroma’s commitment to giving brands and mills solutions that are as commercially compelling as they are environmentally responsible.

Jeanologia launches Billy

The new AI extracts precise laser designs from a garment image in minutes, transforming how vintage denim is recreated for production. If Jeanologia’s laser changed the way jeans were made at the end of the last century, its AI now takes the next step: moving from reproducing wear to designing it. / archive photo © 2026 Jeanologia

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.