Pili, Orta, and Citizens of Humanity debut biobased indigo denim, advancing sustainable fashion with innovative, eco-friendly dyeing solutions.
A French innovator in biobased dyes and pigments, Pili has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Turkish denim mill Orta and California-based premium denim brand Citizens of Humanity for the commercial debut of garments dyed with Pili’s biobased indigo. The first of these garment pieces will be launched in January 2025 as part of the Spring 2025 collections from Citizens of Humanity and AGOLDE.
Pili produced its first tons of bio-based indigo dye in 2024. This achievement enabled the company to create tens of thousands of sustainable denim items and marks a critical step in its mission to decarbonize the denim industry.
Combining fermentation and organic chemistry, Pili’s innovative dyeing process offers a sustainable, high-performance alternative to petrochemical dyes. This approach dramatically reduces the need for toxic chemicals and fossil-based resources, with the potential to lower CO2 emissions by up to 50 per cent. Pili’s color production follows standardized Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to rigorously measure and minimize environmental impact.
Pili’s biobased indigo performs on par with traditional petrochemical indigo and seamlessly integrates into existing dyeing processes without requiring additional investment in equipment. This innovation addresses the growing demand for sustainability, traceability, and decarbonization, says Jérémie Blache, CEO, Pili.
The partnership incorporates regenerative cotton and biobased indigo, creating one of the industry’s most sustainable products. This collaboration represents a pivotal step towards a more regenerative future, states Amy Williams, CEO, Citizens of Humanity Group.
Looking ahead, Pili plans to extend its bio-based pigment innovations into inks, paints, and polymers, accelerating efforts to decarbonize the color industry and revolutionize everyday products sustainably.
