BlueCycle reduces water use in the finishing process by up to 99%*. Jeans are finished to the same standard of quality with just about a teacup’s worth of water.
Natural pumice is typically used in the denim industry to achieve that classic stone-washed look. However, pumice disintegrates over time, requiring large amounts of water to wash away powdery residue. At UNIQLO, we’re now using long-lasting, hard-wearing, powderless eco stones, which give you that same look you love while dramatically reducing the required number of washes. We’ve also introduced the use of ozone-mist washing machines that require very little water and instead use nanobubbles. These two advanced technologies have significantly reduced the amount of water used in the jeans finishing process, by up to 99%*.
＊Data is based on a study of Regular Fit Jeans (68 Blue) between 2017 and 2018. Water savings will vary slightly between products.
ECO STONES
OZONE GAS &
NANOBUBBLE WASH
We use lasers to create that classic, lived-in look and feel. Laser distressing replaces sandpapering and improves the work environment.
Sandpaper has long been used to create that vintage denim look. Skilled workers would rub the jeans by hand to achieve the perfect fade. The manual labor involved in this intensive process required a heavy effort. UNIQLO has developed a way to complete this process using lasers to distress denim in all the right places. The use of lasers greatly reduces heavy manual labor and makes the work environment a better place for all.
LASER DISTRESSING
UNIQLO is working with our denim partners to purify and reuse wastewater generated by the jeans-making process, as well as reducing wastewater volumes overall. We are also proactively evaluating our fabrics and manufacturing processes to promote a more sustainable way to make jeans.
