Banswara based LNJ Denim is currently expanding its capacity in processing and has recently completed a captive yarn project of about 700 MT per month at its unit. According to Y.C. Gupta, CEO, LNJ Denim, expansion is an ongoing process for the company and what is exciting at the moment is the effort to make LNJ Denim more environment-friendly. “We were the first company to launch denim made out of recycled denim fabric and garments, going forward we will be making more and more recycled, sustainable and organic denim and one side coating, apart from the print on grey fabric, giving effect of denim with Indigo dyes.”
The term recycled denim, which is made from torn out denim clothes is also called, ‘denim made out of denim’ and is without pesticides, chemicals and water required for growing cottons. “I feel that the momentum for producing Green Denim will only increase in the times to come, as the entire world has become aware of the various types of pollutants being created because of various chemical processes. Green Denim besides being a selling strategy will also work to create awareness in the global consumers. Most of the big brands have already declared their commitment towards conversion of their products to BCI cotton by 2020,” says Gupta.
Nowadays, polyester denim is being made from recycled pet bottles which are converted into poly fibre and then yarn. The other category in green denim is Plasma Denim, which is manufactured without conventional indigo dyeing process, which involves lots of water and generates effluents, thus saving lots of water/steam/chemicals compared to regular denim product.
For LNJ Denim, the Green Denim concept is working in all spheres with the company using less chemicals, less water and less energy for denim production. “While the water saving is almost 50%, energy saving is around 10%, effluent load is reduced by 40% and steam by 70%,” informs Gupta. No wonder, Green Denim is an area of growth for LNJ in the future.
Besides its initiative of greening denim, LNJ also has denim with performance properties like flame-retardant and anti-bacterial denim, besides a wide range of coated products which includes super soft, fine coating and also anti-microbial, hydrophilic (for water, oil and dust repellent), hydrophobic (for extra absorbency of sweat and water) for industrial garments. “Our fire retardant denim is made of 100% natural fibre, which enables to extinguish fire without causing any damage to the wearer,” shares Gupta.
With its Denim Intelligence Group (DIG) team which works closely with international consultants, LNJ Denim is involved in ongoing R&D and very recently the company has come up with indigo knitted denim which has been knitted on a knitting machine with indigo yarn. The company is now focusing on light weight shirting, as it’s a growing segment both in the international market and India.
