#Denim

2021-10-28

Kontoor Brands launches Indigood™ Facility Certification program aimed at expanding the adoption of water saving technologies in textile production globally

Kontoor Brands, Inc. (NYSE:KTB), a global lifestyle apparel company with a portfolio led by two of the world’s most iconic consumer brands, Wrangler® and Lee®, today announced the expansion of its water-saving manufacturing program, Indigood™ Facility Certification. This expansion is part of Kontoor’s strategy to reduce the company's carbon footprint and accelerate sustainability efforts including establishing science-based targets for carbon emissions, reducing freshwater during manufacturing, increasing renewable energy adoption, and transitioning to sustainable raw materials sourcing.

Launched in 2019, with the revolutionary introduction of foam dyed denim, the Indigood™ program recently expanded to include additional freshwater-conservation technologies used in textile manufacturing. Through the Indigood™ Facility Certification program, Kontoor is encouraging textile mills across the globe to adopt radically different water saving technologies. Textile manufacturing facilities using 90 percent less freshwater than conventional fabric production may qualify for full certification.

“At Kontoor Brands, we believe companies have a responsibility to use resources wisely, drive sustainable innovations, and preserve and protect the planet,” said Jeff Frye, VP of Procurement, Product Development, Innovation and Sustainability, Kontoor Brands. “Wherever possible, we must challenge and encourage our end-to-end supplier network and other retail brands to incorporate these principles into their businesses. We view expanding our Indigood™ partnerships to textile mills across the globe as an important step that can significantly improve freshwater conservation efforts within the apparel industry.”

As of March 2021, Kontoor Brands has saved more than 8 billion liters of water through initiatives like Indigood™. To expand its impact, Kontoor Brands is analysing denim manufacturing facilities around the world, certifying those deploying processes that decreases freshwater use. This initiative aims to identify and highlight factories that have or are actively working to improve their water footprint.

The Indigood™ Facility Certification launched this fall with Arvind Limited’s Naroda Facility in India, the first textile mill to be certified through the Indigood™ program. Kontoor will survey program participants on a bi-annual basis to confirm continued compliance with certification standards.

“Indigood promotes advancing sustainable operations in denim manufacturing. Kontoor Brands has bridged the gap between sustainability and sourcing by encouraging the use of fabrics that are created by mills that prioritize water stewardship,” said Aamir Akhtar, CEO, Arvind Limited. “We are honored to be the first mill certified, achieving the Indigood™ standard.”

Consumers can purchase Indigood™ products at Wrangler.com and Lee.com. To learn more about Kontoor Brands’ sustainability approach and goals, visit KontoorBrands.com/Sustainability.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Jeanologia and BCome connect factory data with Life Cycle Assessment and Digital Product Passports

A new white paper by EIM by Jeanologia and BCome demonstrates how primary environmental data from denim finishing processes can be integrated into a garment's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and prepared for use in a Digital Product Passport (DPP). A comparative case study highlights significant improvements at the production stage while also showing how these translate into the environmental performance of the finished garment.

Inside the Making connects denim and sportswear supply chains at Ecomondo 2026

Six European companies are joining forces at Ecomondo 2026 in Rimini to demonstrate how different stages of denim and sportswear production are interconnected. The new initiative, Inside the Making, highlights the importance of cooperation across the textile supply chain in addressing sustainability challenges, from reducing resource consumption to improving transparency and the reliability of environmental claims.

Georg Stausberg, a veteran of the textile machinery industry, takes over as Rieter Group CEO

Georg Stausberg, one of the most experienced executives in the international textile machinery industry, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Rieter Group with immediate effect from 4 November 2026. With more than three decades of industry experience and a long-standing leadership career at Barmag, Stausberg brings extensive technological expertise, international market knowledge and an established network across the global textile industry to his new position.

EDANA welcomes definitive EU anti-dumping measures on Chinese PET spunbond

EDANA, the international association serving the nonwovens and related industries, has welcomed the European Commission's decision to impose definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of PET spunbond originating in China. The association considers the measures an important step towards restoring fair competition and safeguarding European industrial capacity.

EU imposes definitive anti-dumping duties on Chinese PET spunbond imports

The European Commission has introduced definitive anti-dumping duties ranging from 39.8% to 48.1% on imports of PET spunbond from China. The measures, which entered into force on 31 October 2026, will remain in place for five years and are intended to address unfairly priced imports that have caused injury to European manufacturers. The EU market for these nonwoven materials is valued at approximately €200 million.

Monforts ready for India’s next phase of textile growth at ITME 2026

Advanced finishing, coating and energy-efficient processing will be highlighted by Monforts at India ITME 2026, as the region’s textile manufacturers increasingly look beyond volume production towards higher-value fabrics. The German finishing machinery specialist sees considerable potential in India as investment continues in conventional apparel and home textiles alongside rapidly developing markets for technical textiles, activewear, sportswear, filtration and automotive applications.