Our goal is to create our most sustainable jeans. From raw materials to dyeing processes and washing methods. Follow our journey towards a more responsible production.
Dyeing and washing processes in conventional denim manufacturing burden the environment through high use of water, energy, and chemicals. To make the production of our jeans more resource-efficient and reduce environmental pollution, we rely on three pillars.
These are based on the use of our so-called preferred fibres, the application of more responsible technologies for dyeing the yarns, and the measurement of the environmental compatibility of our washing procedures. For a Marc O’Polo jean to meet our high standard, at least the 3rd pillar must be adhered to, and therefore, the overall score of the washing processes must be evaluated as a 'low impact process'. The more pillars that are fulfilled, the more environmentally friendly the denim.
PILLAR 1 – PREFERRED FIBRES
We promote the use of our so-called preferred fibres, such as recycled or organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell or recycled polyester. When using cotton for our denim products, we exclusively use certified organic cotton or recycled cotton. The organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, defoliants, chemical fertilisers, and free from GMOs in accord with the principles of organic farming. Our recycled cotton is primarily made from pre-consumer material, thereby extending the lifecycle of already produced fibres.
PILLAR 1 - MORE SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
PILLAR 2 – MORE RESPONSIBLE DYEING PROCESSES
To make dyeing processes more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient, we work on finding solutions that are less water- and energy-intensive and minimise the use of chemicals. Therefore, we rely on improved dyeing technologies such as Dry Indigo® by Tejidos Royo, which uses no water, thus eliminating wastewater that could burden the local water supply. Additionally, Dry Indigo® consumes 65% less energy and uses 90% fewer chemicals compared to conventional dyeing methods.
PILLAR 2 - MORE RESPONSIBLE DYEING PROCESSES
Our goal is to eliminate hazardous chemicals from our supply chain. Therefore, we require our supply chain partners to adhere to and monitor the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL). This list prohibits the intentional use of hazardous chemical substances in Marc O’Polo wet processes.
PILLAR 3 – MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WASHING METHODS
We measure the environmental compatibility of our washing methods using the EIM v2.0 software (Environmental Impact Measurement) from Jeanologia®. This software evaluates the impacts in four categories: water consumption, energy consumption, chemical impacts, and worker health.
EIM v2.0 places stringent requirements on the use of potassium permanganate and pumice stones, significantly restricting them within the scoring framework. Both are used industry-wide to achieve an authentic used look. This results in wastewater loaded with stone dust and chemicals, which stress wastewater treatment plants and require special disposal.
PILLAR 3 - MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WASHING PROCESSES
To find more environmentally friendly solutions, we work very closely with our partners in the supply chain. As an alternative, we use lasers, for example, and employ denim fabrics that are particularly suitable for this technology. Additionally, we use methods such as ozone washing, nano-bubble technologies, and more environmentally friendly oxidising agents, as well as synthetic, reusable stones and special enzyme washes.
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