Building a fully regenerative circular model in the denim industry is the next big goal of Candiani Denim. COREVA™, our patented technology to produce the world’s first biodegradable and compostable stretch denim, was our first step into such a system.
Garments are made from biodegradable and compostable materials
In our vision, garments are made from biodegradable and compostable materials and ingredients which, at the end of their life, can return to nature and be used to grow the new fibers that will be woven into tomorrow’s clothing.
Cotton and other raw materials are sourced responsibly and then treated in the spinning, dyeing, weaving, and finishing departments with the most sustainable machines, technologies, and substances, which can help save and recover water and energy, reduce CO2 emissions, and eliminate toxic and harmful chemicals. An example is Kitotex®, our patented sizing technology based on chitosan, a biodegradable and non-toxic material.
The dyed fabrics are cut and sewed as close as possible to their production factory to minimize transportation CO2 emissions and washed with advanced, eco-friendly technologies. According to the United Nations, the fashion industry causes indeed around 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and 10% of wastewater worldwide.
Secondhand and recycled clothes are at the heart of the circular economy
We think every citizen should also play their part in developing the circular economy model. They should be aware of the environmental and social impact of the fashion industry and look for more transparency and traceability in the entire value chain.
It is necessary to make the life of garments last as long as possible with appropriate maintenance and care and to repair them when needed. According to the European Parliament, the number of clothes bought by European citizens has increased by 40% since 1996. The consequences are that every item is worn fewer times and the life span of clothing is reduced.
When clothing is not needed anymore, it can be donated to someone else, resold on the secondhand apparel market, or upcycled, and when it is too old and wrecked to be used again, it can be recycled. According to Statista, the global secondhand apparel market is rapidly growing: in 2021, its value was equal to 96 billion US dollars, and it is supposed to reach 218 billion US dollars in 2026. On the contrary, recycling clothes is still pretty rare: only 1% of garments are recycled worldwide, partly due to the lack of technologies, but also since 60% of all clothing is not recyclable because they are made from mixed fibers, which cannot be separated, or their quality is too scarce.
Not all recycled fibers are strong enough to produce new clothes. Using biodegradable and compostable materials and ingredients is necessary to make the waste return to nature without polluting and use it as fertilizer in agriculture. On the contrary, nowadays, 71% of all garments worldwide contain petrol-based, synthetic materials, which need hundreds of years to decompose and release toxic substances into the environment.
