Nike to use waterless textile dyeing machines

Nike is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability by reducing its water consumption. The American sporting goods manufacturer had just entered into a partnership with DyeCoo Textile Systems B.V., a Netherlands-based company which has developed waterless dyeing machines by using recycled carbon dioxide.



"Waterless dyeing is a significant step in our journey to serve both the athlete and the planet, and this partnership reinforces Nike’s long-term strategy and deep commitment to innovation and sustainability," says Eric Sprunk, Nike’s vice president of merchandising and product. Nike has been exploring this technology for the past eight years and expects to showcase cutting edge apparel using textiles dyed without water at events later this year.

Nike says it expects DyeCoo’s supercritical fluid carbon dioxide, or “SCF” CO2 dyeing technology, to have a particularly positive impact in Asia, where much of the world’s textile dyeing occurs.

On average, an estimated 100-150 liters of water is needed to process one kg of textile materials today. Industry analysts estimate that more than 39 million tonnes of polyester will be dyed annually by 2015.

By Sarah Ahssen

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