EU directive adds clout to Devalia’s ozone research
A new European directive that bans greenwashing and requires proof of sustainability claims has added impetus to a research project on ozone, said one of the organisers, Dalia Benefatto.
The founder of consultancy Devalia has said companies will now need to prove any claims they make, and the project to map out the potential risks, or otherwise, of using ozone to treat denim fabrics will provide them with data to substantiate their claims.
Ms Benefatto told Inside Denim: “The European Union is asking that every sustainability claim must be substantiated with scientific data provided by well-known institutions. This gives complete validation for our project.”
Project partners machinery manufacturer Nexia Italy and Italian research centre STIIMA-CNR aim to increase knowledge of ozone reactions in the treatment of different categories of fibres and, more generally, to investigate the potential of the technology.
So far, fabrics made from 100% cotton, 99% cotton and 1% elastane, and 71% recycled cotton and 29% conventional cotton have been analysed. They have been treated in ozone in water, with and without final neutralisation. STIIMA-CNR has measured ozone presence in the fabrics at the end of treatment, mechanical resistance and abrasion resistance, with the results published soon.
“The Digital Product Passport of a textile product could include indication of the chemicals used in the manufacturing processes and presence of concerning substances,” added Ms Benefatto. “Through scientific analysis it can be assured accuracy, compliance and transparency in product composition and safety standards, and our process can validate data for DPP requirements."
Devalia has also recently been named Sustainability Consultancy of the Year at the Innovation and Excellence Awards 2023, organised by UK-based publisher Corporate LiveWire. The judging panel said it was particularly impressed with the consultancy’s “dedication to innovating the fashion sector’s entire supply chain process”.
Image: Dalia Benefatto (third from left) with partners from Nexia and STIIMA-CNR
