Processing
Fibres, yarns, fabrics or garments go through multiple processing steps to achieve the performance and aesthetic properties desired by brands and consumers. These steps can be broadly categorised into pretreatment, colouration and finishing. The processing stage can be lengthy, technically complex and consumes a huge amount of water, chemistry and energy, so optimising, finding and funding new innovations is crucially important.
Landscapes
Discover in-depth information on the current landscape of specific topic areas within Processing
Wastewater Treatment Landscape
This document provides an in-depth analysis of wastewater treatment solutions, focusing on innovations and challenges within the textile industry. It explores conventional and emerging treatment technologies, the role of zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) systems, and hybrid solutions that aim to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and support circular water use. Key industry players, monitoring solutions, and scalability challenges are also highlighted.
Processing Landscape
This document provides an in-depth exploration of textile processing, highlighting both traditional methods and innovative solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact. It covers pretreatment, colouration (dyeing and printing), and finishing, examining key challenges such as water, energy, and chemical usage. Additionally, the report discusses emerging processing technologies, including plasma treatment, supercritical CO₂ dyeing, digital spray dyeing, and foam-based processing, as well as innovations from key industry players.
Workshops
Wastewater Treatment Landscape
This document provides an in-depth analysis of wastewater treatment solutions, focusing on innovations and challenges within the textile industry. It explores conventional and emerging treatment technologies, the role of zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) systems, and hybrid solutions that aim to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and support circular water use. Key industry players, monitoring solutions, and scalability challenges are also highlighted.
Projects & Pilots
Dive into our archive of projects and pilots related to Processing
D(R)YE Factory of the Future
Fashion for Good launched D(R)YE Factory of the Future in January 2022 in collaboration with brand partners Kering, adidas, PVH Corp. and manufacturing partners Arvind Limited and Welspun India with the aim of validating the most promising technology combinations in pretreatment and colouration processing steps to support the widespread adoption of mostly waterless innovations within the textile industry.
Future Forward Factories
The “Future Forward Factories” project, initiated by Fashion for Good, focuses on transforming tier 2 processing in the textile industry through innovative low-impact, decarbonisation solutions. It aims to generate actionable blueprints for factories of the future that combine renewable energy and technology upgradation including mostly dry processing innovations. These blueprints take into account the macro geographical factors that are customised for every product to achieve next-zero facilities with a strong return on investment.
Dyestuff Library
This project was designed to address the gap in knowledge and infrastructure for sustainable dyes by developing a tool to identify, assess, and select innovative dyestuffs based on specific metrics and fabric requirements. The project collaborates with brands, supply chain partners, and industry stakeholders to conduct comprehensive evaluations, aiming to facilitate an industry shift toward sustainable dye options. Structured in multiple rounds, each involving five innovators, the project includes trials at both lab and pilot scales, with support and guidance for participating innovators.
From Waste to Black Pigment
The aim of the project was to validate the use of black pigments derived from waste materials to replace conventional carbon black from virgin fossil fuels in dope dyeing applications. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of textile dyeing by using renewable, eco-friendly pigments sourced from waste.
Reports
Explore our in-depth reports related to Processing
Wastewater Treatment Pilot Report
Piloting a new solution in South Asia that eliminates sludge from wastewater streams.
Behind the Break
“Behind the Break,” is a project aimed at exploring textile fibre fragmentation. The research aims to identify the root causes of fibre shedding during manufacturing, enhance existing test methods, and inform future industry best practices and policies to reduce textile pollution. A report accompanies the project, providing an overview of existing knowledge gaps, recent developments, critical insights, and emerging opportunities for meaningful action within the fashion and textile industry.
Textile Processing Guide: Pretreatment, Colouration and Finishing
The impact of today’s fashion industry has far reaching environmental consequences. And while raw material production and end of use may spring to mind, the processing stage of the supply chain, including pretreatment, colouration (dyeing and printing) and finishing, is often overlooked as a critical area for pivotal and positive change. This guide, based on industry and Fashion for Good research, is designed to provide an overview and deeper understanding of the processing stage, including innovative technologies that would help drastically reduce the water, energy and chemistry used, as well as replacing hazardous chemistry currently used.
