In the rapidly evolving world of denim manufacturing, the quest for sustainability often clashes with the demand for authentic, high-quality aesthetics.
Advance Denim has embraced this challenge and successfully bridged this gap through its ongoing partnership with wood-based fiber maker Lenzing Group. Most recently, this fiber producer-denim mill collaboration has centered on Lenzing’s innovative TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 fiber, a material that is setting a new benchmark for eco-conscious and visually rich denim.
Advance Denim has secured exclusive rights to the HV100 fiber in the China and Vietnam region, a monumental agreement that underscores the company’s commitment to leading the Asian denim market in both innovation and sustainability. This exclusivity not only grants Advance Denim a significant competitive advantage but also positions the company as a key driver for sustainable textile adoption in a critical global manufacturing hub.
TENCEL™ Lyocell HV100 is a game-changer because it addresses the long-standing aesthetic limitation of traditional TENCEL™ Lyocell in denim. Earlier iterations often produced a fabric with a shinier finish and a high drape, which sometimes didn’t achieve the rugged, authentic and opaque look of traditional cotton-based denim.
Lenzing engineered the HV100 fiber using its proprietary Variocut technology. This innovative process introduces controlled irregularities in fiber length, mimicking the natural, varying staple lengths found in raw cotton fiber. This technical variation results in a fabric with a number of highly desirable characteristics for denim.
Firstly, the HV100 variant of TENCEL™ offers an authentic texture and matte finish. The fiber’s irregular length distribution—with 50 percent at 28 millimeters and 50 percent in the 10 to 20 millimeter range—delivers a textured, semi-dull and opaque aesthetic that achieves a genuine, vintage washdown performance.
HV100 finally allows TENCEL™ Lyocell to be used effectively in warp yarns, a traditionally cotton-dominated component of denim, making 100 percent TENCEL™ authentic denim looks possible.
While achieving a rugged look, the fiber retains the signature softness and high moisture-regulating properties characteristic of TENCEL™ Lyocell, enhancing wearer comfort.
The adoption of TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 aligns perfectly with Advance Denim’s aggressive sustainability goals. TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are derived from sustainably managed wood sources, certified by organizations like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). The production utilizes a closed-loop process, in which over 99.8 percent of the solvent is recovered and reused, leading to significantly lower environmental impact.
The HV100 fibers retain this impressive environmental profile. For one, they boast at least 50 percent less water consumption and 50 percent lower carbon emissions compared to generic lyocell. Like all TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers, HV100 is certified as biodegradable and compostable in various natural environments, offering an end-of-life solution for garments and reducing landfill burden.
Advance Denim, which already boasts a robust sustainability strategy, including its innovative Bigbox Dyeing technology that dramatically reduces water and chemical use, finds HV100 a natural fit. By committing to fibers like HV100, the company continues to push its target of using over 90 percent “green fibers” in its product line, ensuring that its high-quality, authentic denim collections are built on a foundation of environmental responsibility.
The partnership is a powerful example of how industry leaders can co-create solutions. Advance Denim’s exclusive use of HV100 in key Asian markets is a clear signal that the future of denim doesn’t have to compromise between aesthetic authenticity, technical performance and planetary well-being.
Source: https://sourcingjournal.com/