The Fast Retailing Group (“FR Group”) today announces that it has developed a new washing process for jeans that reduces water usage by up to 99%, with an average of more than 90%.
The technology originated at the FR Jeans Innovation Center, the Group’s facility for jeans research and development in Los Angeles, California, and has been adopted in the production the 2018 Fall/Winter season’s UNIQLO Men’s Regular Fit Jeans and J BRAND Sustainable Capsule Collection.
In 2019 a total of 10 million pairs of jeans from the two brands, the equivalent of almost one-third of FR’s annual production quantity, will be manufactured with this process. By 2020 the new technology will be used for all jeans made and sold by the Group.
The latest innovation combines advanced washing equipment utilizing nano-bubbles and ozone with the skills of expert jeans designers, to greatly reduce the amount of water in the washing process compared to conventional production methods, while still ensuring high quality and design. By incorporating this technique, UNIQLO successfully reduced the amount of water used in the washing process of its Men’s Regular Fit Jeans by up to 99%, with an average of more than 90%.
During 2020 the Group plans to manufacture 40 million jeans with the new washing process, expecting to reduce approximately 3.7 billion liters of water, an amount large enough to fill around 1,500 international regulation swimming pools.
In addition, the pumice typically used in the washing process has been replaced with artificial stone that can be used semi-permanently, helping to reduce water pollution. The burden on workers has also been lightened with the introduction of lasers to replace the labor-intensive scraping process that has traditionally been done by hand.
Masaaki Matsubara, Director of the Jeans Innovation Center, said, “We believe that jeans manufactured not only with a focus on design and comfort, but under conditions that are environmentally friendly and protect the rights of the workers involved in the production process, are truly good products, and that pursing such jeans production will lead to a brighter future. We will utilize the technical capabilities and economies of scale of the Fast Retailing Group to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.”
Jeans Innovation Center
The Jeans Innovation Center is a specialized facility for jeans research and development, established by Fast Retailing in Los Angeles, California, in November 2016. The facility brings together jeans specialists from throughout the FR Group, who develop jeans utilizing innovative technologies and materials, while also adhering to tradition.
UNIQLO Men’s Regular Fit Jeans
UNIQLO is producing its Men’s Regular Fit Jeans using technology to reduce water usage from the 2018 Fall/Winter season. These jeans are made with 100% cotton denim from world-leading denim manufacturer Kaihara, based on vintage jeans styles. The 100% cotton gives these jeans a classic denim feel. The fit is relaxed at the hip with a straight leg cut, allowing them to be smartly worn by everyone. The Men’s Regular Fit Jeans is available in all UNIQLO stores at PHP 1,990.
J BRAND Sustainable Capsule Collection
J BRAND, a contemporary jeans brand centered on premium denim originating from Los Angeles, is utilizing this latest technology for its Sustainable Capsule Collection line from the 2018 fall/winter season. The Sustainable Capsule Collection is made with recycled cotton and other eco-friendly raw materials, and is knitted in factories powered by renewable and high-efficiency energy. The collection comprises four women’s styles, and six men’s. The price range is US$228 to $398.
An announcement with details of the new technology is planned for early 2019.