Fashion is one of the worlds worst industries when it comes to environmental damage. The trend for fast fashion, with an intense time pressure to reduce the cost and time in getting a from design to shop often sees environmental issues ignored. The results can include water pollution, the use of toxic chemicals and increased levels of textile waste. Textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of clean water globally, after agriculture. But the industry is now slowly changing, with more companies putting sustainability goals at their heart if their commercial goals. One such company is Garmon Chemicals, an Italian based R&D and marketing platform for the fashion industry, who have outlined new goals in the pursuit of a more sustainable business model. Established in 1982, Garmon Chemicals has always focused on the production of fabric technologies and has partnered with companies such as Colgate-Palmolive and Levis in providing state of the art resins and dyes for fabrics.
We firmly believe in developing sustainable chemistry says Donald Mulazzani, Marketing and Business Development Director atGarmon Chemicals(pictured below)Not only in terms of product, but also as evidence of our responsible approach on several levels. In this way, we want to contribute to disseminating what will need to be the best practices in the future, for the whole industry.
Purchased in January 2018 by the US-basedKemin Industries Group, Garmon has set out its new strategy through three new streams of development which prioritise the efficient use of resources and the reduction of product waste.
Collaboration with Alliance for Responsible Denim
The sustainability campaign includes a partnership withAlliance for Responsible Denim. An initiative fromMade-By,Circle Economyand theAmsterdam University of Applied Sciences, aims to improve the ecological sustainability of global denim production. Denim industries must adapt a cleaner and smarter model which can be achieved through collaboration of industry-relevant brands. Member of the consortium are share mutual commitment towards a more sustainable, circular future. The alliance will help partners redefine business models through up-scaling Post-Consumer-Recycled-Denim production (PCRD). The hope is PCRD will establish a preferred industry buying standard and increase the use of recycled denim.
Striving towards International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certifications.
Garman Chemicals sustainable approach has earned them two certifications for compliance from the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation international standards in terms of safety, reliability and quality. ISO 9001:2005 acknowledges the companys adherence to international criteria for quality management systems and the second award, ISO 14001:2015, recognises global compliance with requirements for correct levels of environmental management. ISO certifications help organisations to shrink the environmental footprint through efficient use of resources and limiting waste from production.
Improving sustainability of stretch fabrications and washes
In April 2018, the company released their Stretch Care collection, dedicated to the enhancement of the quality and performance of stretch fabric products. The collection is sourced from sustainable raw materials formulated through eco-compatible treatments. The use of sustainable chemicals, such as Avol Oxy White, a bleaching agent designed to achieve localized effects on denim,highlightsGarmons commitment to sustainable business. Avol Oxy White does not contain any compounds of manganese, heavy metals or halogenated aerivatives products minimising the impact production of the Stretch Care collection has on the environment.
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