Australia’s Deakin University has joined forces with Xefco in a groundbreaking research initiative to investigate the feasibility of a waterless manufacturing method for dyeing jeans. The pivotal technology at the core of this endeavor is known as ‘Ausora.’
Backed by a substantial US $ 50 million grant from the Australian Government’s inaugural Trailblazer Universities Programme, in addition to contributions from industry collaborators and the university itself, the REACH initiative boasts a total project valuation of US $ 380 million. Its overarching mission is to advance the development of more eco-friendly supply chains while fostering business success.
Associate Professor Alessandra Sutti, representing Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials, said, “If successful, the Ausora technology, which imparts colour to fabrics without the requirement for copious amounts of water, will bring us one step closer to more efficient and sustainable clothing production.”
Xefco’s CEO, Tom Hussey, highlighted that the company’s newly established pilot plant, situated at Deakin University in Geelong, will undergo extensive testing with various materials, including specialised fabrics such as waterproof textiles used in outdoor jackets and denim jeans.
Hussey outlined the broader vision behind the technology, stating, “This is the first stage of Xefco’s vision for the technology, with the REACH project focused on demonstrating the commercial viability of the technology at pilot scale and developing processes so it can be scaled up for commercial production.”
The strategically placed pilot plant, established by Xefco, is located alongside Deakin researchers at ManuFutures, a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing hub situated at Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus.
In 2022, textile chemicals specialist Archroma and denim finishing technology specialist Jeanologia collaborated to introduce an eco-advanced alternative to the denim fabric washing process.
