[pageLogInLogOut]

#Textile chemistry

Archroma celebrates 3 years of working with aniline-free(1) indigo heroes

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, celebrates nearly 3 years of successfully converting the denim industry to aniline-free(1) pre-reduced liquid indigo. Archroma launched its aniline-free(1) Denisol® Pure Indigo in May 2018(3).
  • 18+ metric tons of aniline are estimated to have been removed from the denim supply chain in about 3 years(2).
  • That represents 300'000'000+ pairs of jeans free of aniline, with 18'000+ garment workers, and aquatic life, protected from its toxicity(2).


Archroma has built a very strong reputation as a leader in developing innovations and solutions that help make its industry more sustainable. The Company calls its vision and commitment: “The Archroma Way to a Sustainable World: Safe, efficient, enhanced, it’s our nature.”

Aniline is a key ingredient to make the indigo molecule. Unfortunately, during this process some aniline impurities are carried through into the indigo dyestuff. When the indigo is dyed on the fabric, a lot of the aniline impurity is locked into the pigment in the fabric. The remainder of the aniline impurity, approximately 300 metric tons annually, is discharged during dyeing. This can be an issue as aniline is toxic to aquatic life. In addition, exposure levels to factory workers can be high. The new Denisol® Pure Indigo 30 liq was therefore developed as an aniline-free(1) indigo solution for designers, manufacturers and brand owners who long for authentic indigo inspiration.

© 2021 Archroma
© 2021 Archroma


Since the launch of Denisol® Pure Indigo, several denim manufacturers, such as front-runner Absolute Denim, as well as Advance Denim, Azgard 9, Kilim Group, Nuevo Mundo, Rantex, Shasha Denim and Tuong Long, have taken the matter in their hands and converted their production or dedicated lines to aniline-free denim to brands and retailers.

The innovation is also supported by denim partners such as Be Disobedient and The Denim Window.

Almost 3 years later, Archroma and its partners can pause and proudly look back to all the aniline they have removed – together – from the market, thus preserving the health of many denim workers and the aquatic life in our rivers. 

Archroma evaluates that, based on the total quantity of Denisol® Pure Indigo sold until its introduction, its partners helped remove almost 18 metric tons of aniline from the denim supply chain. That represents an equivalent to about 300’000’000 pairs of jeans free of aniline and more than 18’000 garment workers protected from its toxicity(2).




© 2021 Archroma
© 2021 Archroma


“Aniline is a key ingredient of indigo,” says Heike van de Kerkhof, CEO at Archroma. “Because of the toxicity of aniline, we really wanted to do something about it – although we initially faced some resistance as not everyone was ready to shed light on the issue of aniline, especially in the indigo industry. That is why we are so grateful to the many like-minded denim partners who decided to take the hand we were offering with Denisol® Pure Indigo.”

© 2021 Archroma
© 2021 Archroma


(1) Below limits of detection according to industry standards (tested & proven).

(2) Based on 15 minutes of work to produce one pair of jeans, produced over 8-hour working days and 300 working weeks per year.

(3) For the launch press release, click here:

https://www.archroma.com/press/releases/archroma-breaks-new-ground-with-new-aniline-free-indigo-for-denim

More News from Archroma Textile Specialties

#Textile chemistry

Archroma and Lameirinho partner in pioneering deployment of InOneGO single-step dyeing

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, and Lameirinho, a leading home textiles manufacturer based in Portugal, are collaborating to bring InOneGO by Archroma, a new single-step dyeing process, into commercial production. Lameirinho’s first InOneGo bedlinens collection is now available worldwide.

#Textile chemistry

Archroma wins ICIS Innovation Award for sulfur dye breakthrough

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has won a coveted 2026 ICIS Innovation Award for Best Product Innovation from a Large Company for FiberColors®. These high-performance sulfur dyes are synthesized from pre-consumer wool waste, reducing industry reliance on petroleum-based inputs while contributing to the circular economy by upcycling unwanted wool that farmers would otherwise pay to dispose of.

#Techtextil 2026

Archroma showcases innovations delivering performance without compromise at Techtextil 2026

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, is bringing a full suite of advanced solutions to Techtextil 2026 to help technical textile manufacturers achieve cutting-edge functionality with optimized productivity and enhanced sustainability.

#Textile chemistry

Orta and Archroma launch denim collection dyed with wool waste

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, and Orta Anadolu, the premium Türkiye-based denim manufacturer behind the ORTA brand, today announced a collaboration to bring circular dye chemistry into commercial denim production.

More News on Textile chemistry

#Research & Development

An eco-friendly alternative to fluorocarbon treatments

Protective and outdoor clothing derives its durable water-, dirt- and oil- repellent properties from the application of fluorinated polymers or per- and polyfluorinated low-molecular- weight chemicals (PFCs). The beneficial properties thus achieved on textiles are offset by environmental and human health risks. For manufacturers of sports, medical, protective and automotive textiles, researchers at the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. and the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research have developed liquid-applied dispersions and solutions to functionalise textiles without the use of fluorine.

#Textile chemistry

ZymoChem secures $4 million in renewed federal funding to advance U.S. biomanufacturing of critical materials and their supply chains

ZymoChem, the specialty chemicals company dedicated to bringing decarbonization, sustainability, and supply chain resiliency to the chemical industry through innovative biological manufacturing, today announced the resumption and expansion of its federal research portfolio. The company has been notified that previously paused work under a $5 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program is officially back on, to be joined by continuing collaborations with three of the nation's premier national laboratories.

#Textile chemistry

bluesign updates chemical reference lists with stronger PFAS restrictions

bluesign has published the 2026 editions of its three core chemical reference lists, introducing updated substance limits and testing requirements in line with the latest scientific findings and regulatory developments.

#Textile chemistry

Fashion for Good launches DW(O)R-X to navigate the emerging landscape of PFAS-free finishes

Fashion for Good announced the launch of Project DW(O)R-X, a collaborative initiative designed to benchmark PFAS alternative durable water- and oil-repellent (DW(O)R) chemistries. Responding to growing market demand for alternatives to PFAS‑based finishes, the project aims to generate reliable, comparable data that can support informed sourcing decisions and the assessment of emerging chemistries.

Latest News

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

YKK subsidiary Golden Hill Tower Limited marks 25 years of operations in Myanmar

Golden Hill Tower Limited, a subsidiary of YKK Corporation, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a ceremony in Myanmar on September 21, 2026. The event brought together approximately 230 guests, including senior executives from the YKK Group, to commemorate the company's development since the launch of its serviced apartment business in November 2000.

#Knitting & Hosiery

SHIMA SEIKI to showcase digital product creation at Apparel Sourcing Week

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Apparel Sourcing Week 2026 in Bengaluru, India next month. The exhibition provides a platform for the entire apparel value chain, bringing together manufacturers, brands, suppliers and solution providers in one location.

#Digital Printing

SNA GZ accelerates its on-demand production strategy with Kornit Digital

SNA GZ is leveraging the Kornit Atlas MAX PLUS to expand its music merchandise production, streamline e-commerce order fulfillment, and grow its print-on-demand business across Europe. This investment increases SNA GZ's textile production capacity by 150% (2.5×), enabling the company to meet growing demand and support its continued expansion.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

NEUMÜHLE launches mono-material hoodie designed for textile recycling

With the Circular Mono Hoodie, Zurich-based label NEUMÜHLE introduces a new essential designed around a single-material principle. The textile construction is cotton throughout, right down to the sewing thread. Entirely free from elastane, the hoodie launches as a Limited Drop for CHF 139. Take-back, collection and existing recycling partnerships complement its circular design.

TOP