Sports apparel brand Nike Inc., United States, has opened a water-free dyeing facility at its
Taiwan-based contract manufacturer Far Eastern New Century Corp. (FENC). The new facility utilizes
the Netherlands-based DyeCoo Textile Systems BV’s recycled supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2)
dyeing technology to dye polyester fabrics. The recycled CO2 replaces water and additional process
chemicals in the dyeing process, and also uses less energy than water-based dyeing technologies.
The colors achieved using the process, called “ColorDry” by Nike, are reportedly more saturated and
consistent than colors achieved using traditional dyeing processes.
Nike has held a stake in DyeCoo since early 2012, and first used the DyeCoo technology to dye
fabrics used for the uniforms of Kenya’s 2012 Olympic marathon team. Since then, Nike has worked to
see the technology scaled up to apply across the entire sports apparel industry.
“We see sustainability and business growth as complementary and our strategy is to prioritize
relationships with factory groups that demonstrate a desire to invest in sustainable practices and
technologies,” said Eric Sprunk, COO, Nike Inc. “Our collaboration with Far Eastern and DyeCoo, to
develop and scale the ColorDry process, is an important milestone on our path towards manufacturing
innovation.”
“Compared to traditional dyeing methods, the ColorDry process reduces dyeing time by 40
percent, energy use by around 60 percent and the required factory footprint by a quarter,” said
Kuenlin Ho, executive vice president, FENC. “It’s also the most saturated, intense and consistent
color we’ve seen,” he added.
Singapore-based Huntsman Special Effects has partnered with DyeCoo to commercialize the CO2
technology, and its dyes are being used at the FENC plant.
“This emerging technology has the potential to revolutionize the textile manufacturing
process and it is very satisfying to see the first of Nike Inc.’s ColorDry products derived from
this new process and our dyes,” said Steve Gray, vice president of strategic marketing and
planning, Huntsman Textile Effects.
DyeCoo plans to open an office in Taiwan to provide service for the growing market for its
technology. The company also is working to develop the technology to use with cotton and other
natural-fiber fabrics.
“I see enormous possibilities to reshape the dyeing industry and adjacent industries as we
work together to expand the application of our technology beyond polyester,” said DyeCoo spokesman
Geert Woerlee.
Nike’s ColorDry products are expected to be available to consumers in early 2014.
October/November/December 2013