Ternua has partnered with Archroma to leverage its EarthColors technology to create a capsule collection of recycled t-shirts and sweatshirts, collecting, recycling and upcycling agricultural waste from the Basque region in Spain.
Archroma’s EarthColors technology is a traceable concept of plant-based dyes, sourced from renewable resources. Archroma developed EarthColors using non-edible waste products to replace petroleum derived raw materials in its dyes. This gives brands an alternative when looking for more natural ways of dyeing garments, the company says.
Ternua’s vision was to collect walnut shells during the cider season, when cider houses typically serve walnuts with cider. It is estimated that up to 55,000 kg of walnuts are consumed in the Basque region’s cider houses. The collaboration with Archroma aimed at using walnut shells to make biomass-based dyes to color Ternua’s garments.
The fabric, which is a blend of post-consumer recycled cotton and polyester, is dyed using shells collected from four nearby cider houses and converted by Archroma in Barcelona.
The project is supported by the Department of the Environment of the Gipuzkoa province government, and by the province’s National Cider Association.
“These are our most sustainable tee-shirts and sweatshirts we have made since our creation,” stated Edu Uribesalgo, Group Innovation and sustainability Director at Ternua. “Using recycled material is one step into creating recycled clothes with a soul. Colorants from nature on the other hand are quite the holy grail for conscious brands. We were so excited when we found an innovation partner like Archroma to help us convert humble natural biomass source into warm earthy colors.”
“With EarthColors, Archroma puts into action its commitment to continuously challenge the status quo in the deep belief that we can make our industry sustainable, because it’s our nature!” ccommented Nuria Estapé, Director of Marketing Promotion, Brand & Performance Textile Specialties, Archroma. “We are proud that Ternua selected Archroma, confirming us as one of the most prominent innovation partners when it comes to supporting quality, creativity and sustainability for collections with a soul.”
The Nutcycle collection will be available in shops in February, 2019.
