In a pioneering move to bring clarity to one of the denim industry’s most debated sustainability metrics, Transformers Foundation, in collaboration with NDL – Naveena Denim Ltd and the Indigo Council, has launched “A Reference for Water Consumption During Indigo Dyeing” — the first-ever cross-industry benchmark for water usage in indigo dyeing.
The study sets baseline and best-in-class water use metrics for both rope and slasher dyeing techniques, based on verified real-world data from seven denim mills in Pakistan, Türkiye, Italy, and China. The report was developed over several months through partnerships with dye experts, mill technicians, machinery manufacturers, and chemical suppliers.
“One of the most encouraging findings in this report is the willingness of mills to work together and share data transparently, a testament to Transformers culture of collaboration,” said Andrew Olah, Founder of Transformers Foundation. “It’s a powerful reflection of the strength and integrity of our supply chain. Prior to this report, claims like ‘80% less water’ have frequently gone unchallenged. Without transparency and specificity, such figures become marketing jargon: just enough to sound responsible, never enough to be meaningful. Real sustainability requires real data, and this report provides exactly that.”
The data revealed significant differences in water consumption between rope and slasher dyeing processes, particularly in the post-dye washing and rinsing phases. However, it also demonstrated that through accurate monitoring, process control, and smart water management, substantial water savings are achievable.
The Indigo Council, which supported the study, includes leading denim manufacturers such as Candiani Denim, Crescent Bahuman, Diamond Denim, Naveena Denim, Soorty, Orta, and Advance Denim. Technical and machinery support came from Morrison Textile Machinery, Karl Mayer, with additional oversight from bluesign® and DyStar.
“Naveena NDL Denim has been focused on optimizing and innovating in denim production from the very beginning. That’s why we’re proud to collaborate on this industry-first benchmark for water consumption,” said Rashid Iqbal, Executive Director at Naveena NDL. “Setting industrial standards prevents sustainability from becoming a buzzword, and keeps brands and suppliers accountable.”
The release of this report is especially timely, coinciding with increasing regulatory pressure through policies such as the EU Green Claims Directive, the UK Green Claims Code, and legal action in the US targeting unsubstantiated environmental claims.
“This report marks a historic first in the denim industry, bringing together mills from across the globe to share verified, third-party data on actual water use,” said Paolo Leidi, Technical Director at Transformers. “Our goal was not to rank mills, but to equip brands, designers, and retailers with meaningful benchmarks, enabling them to assess how seriously a mill is addressing water reduction. Most importantly, this report proves that open, honest collaboration is possible even among competitors when it comes to critical sustainability issues. We hope it sets the stage for ongoing cooperation across the supply chain, building a more transparent and responsible industry.”
Importantly, the report is not intended to favor one dyeing method over another but to create an adaptable, evidence-based framework for evaluating technologies, chemicals, and mill practices.
The team hopes this initiative will inspire further open-source collaboration and drive measurable progress in sustainability efforts across the textile sector.