Sustainability Problem: 

• The dyeing process can be a potentially devastating industry when it comes to chemicals, waste, and water usage
  • 1/3 of the world does not have access to clean water
  • Traditional dyeing and textile decorating is the third largest consumer of water in the world

Technology:

AirDye, a new method created by Colorep for dyeing textiles takes water almost out of the equation, using 90% less water, but also reducing the emissions and energy used by 85%, since extreme heat is needed to dry the textiles after they are soaked in dye (and most fabrics then require a post-rinse and yet another dry cycle).

http://www.fastcompany.com/1368576/airdyes-ecological-dyeing-process-makes-future-textiles-bright

• Uses all synthetic fibers for its material, which can be made from recycled PET bottles
• Uses dispersed dyes that are applied to a paper carrier
• Uses heat to transfer the dyes from the paper to the surface of the textiles, coloring it at the molecular level
• All paper used is recycled, and dyes are inert, meaning that they can go back to their original state and be reused

Organizational Stakeholders

• Supply chain communities
• Factories
• Apparel companies
• Consumers
• Health/Hospitality industry

Deployment

• Education/ Marketing
  • “Spread the word in a brand-appropriate way, creating a viral, buzzworthy campaign that echoed the sustainability message”
• Partner with apparel industry governing bodies like the Sustainable Apparel Coalition
• Partner with vendors
• Develop transition plan from old to new technology
• Sale within fashion
• Scale technology to additional applications