Active Apparel Group (AAG), which manufactures performance apparel for the leisure/lifestyle and active market, announced that it is embracing water-based OEKO-TEX 100 Class 1 standard printing ink as part of its manufacturing process. The shift is part of a broader initiative to reduce its environmental impact while keeping ahead of evolving global chemical regulations.
Traditionally, common and inexpensive inks are used in the global manufacturing of apparel, often containing toxic chemicals such as phthalates, petroleum-based co-solvents, PVC and other volatile organic compounds.
“Reducing toxic chemicals from the manufacturing process is the right thing to do for our employees, for people living close to our manufacturing facilities and for anyone buying the apparel that we manufacture,” said Daniel Hawker, CEO, AAG. “Moving away from toxins also allows us to keep ahead of increasingly stringent environmental regulations, allowing our customers to stay profitable in a quickly changing global marketplace.”
AAG offers a range of printing methods to address customer need, including digital printing, screen printing and heat transfers for on-garment logos and care instructions. OEKO-TEX certified water-based inks are used for all of its digital printing and for the majority of its screen printing. These non-toxic water-based inks offer a socially and environmentally better alternative to the more commonly used Plastisol inks.
AAG’s printing service is significant, with digital printing averaging 25,000 meters per month and screen printing accounting for 60,000 garments per month.
The use of water-based inks requires a skilled production team and training of employees is ongoing. AAG currently employs 30 people at its printing operations in Ningbo, China.
