Recycrom gel: ‘the evolution of a revolution’
Italian chemicals manufacturer Officina39 has evolved its patented Recycrom dyestuffs range to allow for “waterless” application in gel form.
Inspired by its Aqualess Mission concept, a combination of three technologies which can together reduce water usage by 75% during the laundry process, the company tells Inside Denim that this latest innovation marks "the evolution of a revolution" through synthesis of “two virtuous targets and inspirations”, namely the need to reuse and upcycle existing textile waste, plus use less water.
The latter part of this equation was inspired by Sustainable Development Goal number six, established in 2015, which underscores the need to sustainably manage water resources. As revealed during last month’s Kingpins show in Amsterdam, Officina39 recently made further headway with its Aqualess approach in its achievement of Just One Step Process, designed to streamline the three Aqualess phases into a single step to help partners save on time, energy, space and, most importantly, water.
Although dry application of Recycrom pigments in the form of a gel is certainly new, the largely mechanical eight-step process to create gentler, more sustainable dyestuffs from 100% recycled scrap textiles, used clothing and other fibrous materials remains unchanged, Officina39 says.
A key feature of the gel, though, compared to Recycrom’s traditional powdered form, is that it enables laundries to obtain a more intense tonality of colour, while still allowing them to leave certain areas “raw” or undyed for a high-contrast look. Crucially, it can also be applied in conventional garment dyeing machines.
“We don’t want to change the industry and its processes drastically,” the manufacturer explains, “[rather] we develop solutions to optimise the technologies and machines that already exist in the market.” Products that support reduced – or zero – water usage are “always needed and appreciated”, it adds, particularly among customers who share the same passion for treading an ever more eco-conscious path.
The company is currently working towards obtaining relevant sustainability certifications for Recycrom gel.
Image: Officina39.
