Enzymes make dyeing denim more sustainable

By Nina Notman2024-04-05T08:06:00

Source: © C11ygyg/Shutterstock

Have researchers found a greener way to dye jeans blue with less impact on the Earth’s resources and without toxic chemicals?

Use this story and the summary slide to help 14–16 learners better understand using the Earth’s resources with this real-world context. A new enzymatic process promises a greener approach to denim dyeing, eliminating harsh chemicals while maintaining the blue hue. Researchers in Denmark use enzymes to produce indican, a natural precursor of indigo. Life cycle assessments confirm its minimal environmental impact and compatibility with existing dye factory set-ups, marking a significant step towards sustainable denim manufacturing.

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