COLOURizd proudly announces its recognition as a finalist in Fast Company’s esteemed Innovation by Design Awards for 2023, honored specifically in the Impact category.
The Innovation by Design Awards, which can be found in the September 2023 issue of Fast Company, honor the designers and businesses solving the most crucial problems of today and anticipating the pressing issues of tomorrow. The competition, now in its 12th year, features a range of blue-chip companies, emerging startups, and hungry young talents. It is one of the most sought-after design awards in the industry. Winners, finalists, and honorable mentions are featured online, and winners and finalists are featured in the issue of Fast Company magazine on newsstands on August 29, 2023.
“Sustainable Textile Coloration” received a finalist honor due to a collaboration between COLOURizd LLC and Kontoor Brands, a global leader in denim and apparel and owner of Lee and Wrangler brands. The sustainably colored “Wrangler Breeze” shirts were produced using yarn colored with COLOURizd’s Quantum COLOUR technology.
Jennifer Thompson, CEO of COLOURizd said, “We’re deeply honored by this recognition, which underscores the power of collaboration and innovation in driving sustainability in the fashion industry. Our partnership with Kontoor Brands exemplifies a shared vision to revolutionize apparel production. Through Quantum COLOUR technology, we aim to set new standards in eco-friendly manufacturing and inspire the industry at large. Together, we’re crafting a future where style, functionality, and sustainability merge seamlessly.”
COLOURizd’s Quantum COLOUR for yarn technology represents a pioneering approach to yarn coloration. Quantum COLOUR for yarn uses cutting-edge innovation to beautifully color yarn while providing significant environmental benefits: a 98% reduction in water usage, complete elimination of harmful chemicals, a 50% reduction in energy consumption, a 73% decrease in carbon footprint, and zero wastewater discharge when compared to conventional yarn dyeing. COLOURizd’s commitment ensures the fashion industry advances with both style and sustainability at its forefront.
Using technologies such as COLOURizd’s unique and sustainable yarn, Kontoor Brands aims to transform the way garments are produced, minimizing their environmental impact and introducing unique aesthetics to the market.
Vice President of Sustainability, Innovation, and Development at Kontoor Brands, Dhruv Agarwal, recently spoke with COLOURizd’s Jennifer Thompson about the collaboration. Agarwal highlighted the company’s dedication to reducing freshwater usage in their manufacturing processes and their search for groundbreaking technologies with the potential to make a real impact.
The collaboration with COLOURizd began in 2019. Initially drawn to the technology’s water-saving potential, Kontoor Brands soon discovered that COLOURizd’s yarns offered additional benefits, such as unique aesthetics and a washed-down look without additional processing.
Agarwal emphasized the importance of adopting an experimental mindset when working with new technologies and praised COLOURizd’s collaborative approach to overcoming initial challenges. By working together, both teams were able to refine and perfect the technology for application across various product lines, including woven shirts, knits, and even denim.
As a result of their successful collaboration, Agarwal expressed his hope that other brands and manufacturers will follow suit in exploring COLOURizd’s technology, aiding the way for a more sustainable and innovative fashion industry.
Editor-in-chief of Fast Company, Brendan Vaughan, commented, “This year’s Innovation by Design honorees serve as a reminder that human ingenuity is the true driving force behind invention.”
The partnership between COLOURizd™ and Kontoor Brands represents a significant leap forward in achieving a sustainable and innovative fashion industry.
