Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, today introduced PrimaGreen® EcoLight 1, the latest in the company’s portfolio of products for more sustainable denim bleaching. The PrimaGreen® portfolio gives textile manufacturers the tools to produce denim apparel in a variety of finishes. In addition, with PrimaGreen®, denim can be stonewashed and bleached using a single bath, requiring significantly less water and energy than the established process.

Traditionally, in order to create a vintage-style look, denim is treated with hypochlorite using significant amounts of water and energy. PrimaGreen® EcoLight 1 is a liquid esterase enzyme that can be used to achieve the same look, but is biodegradable and made with renewable resources. In addition, when denim is treated with a combination of PrimaGreen® EcoLight 1 and PrimaGreen®Super, a cellulase enzyme, the vintage-style look can be achieved while cutting water by more than 50% and energy usage by more than 40%. 

Similarly, treating denim with a combination of PrimaGreen® EcoFade LT100, a laccase enzyme, and PrimaGreen® Super creates an “aged” look while cutting water by more than 60% and energy usage by more than 70%. In addition, the use of PrimaGreen® EcoLight and PrimaGreen® EcoFade enables processors to change the garment cast and bleach sulphur-dyed denim.

“Today, textile manufacturers and consumers are looking for more environmentally friendly fashions without sacrificing style or quality,” said Glenn Nedwin, executive vice president of Genencor’s Technical Enzyme Business Unit. “The PrimaGreen® portfolio of products provides the tools to create just that kind of apparel.”

The PrimaGreen® Portfolio Includes:         PrimaGreen® Super, a cellulase enzyme used for low-temperature denim abrasion to create a “stone washed” look; and

• PrimaGreen® EcoFade LT100, a laccase enzyme for low-temperature denim fading to create an “aged” look.
• PrimaGreen® EcoLight 1, an esterase enzyme used for denim bleaching to create a “vintage” look.