US-based Cone Denim, has released a new hemp denim collection in collaboration with BastCore, a hemp processing innovator.

Cone Denim is the first to work with BastCore, claiming that the deal expands its sustainable denim offerings and strengthens its support for American agriculture, with denim created with Alabama hemp and US cotton and dyed with natural indigo from Tennessee.

BastCore's facility in Montgomery, Alabama, has developed patent-pending technology and a patented method that generates clean, mechanically processed, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, and USDA bio-preferred hemp fiber.

From the bast and hurd (wood), the company transforms hemp, a low-input, high-yielding crop, into a variety of sustainable biobased products, bridging the gap between farmers farming hemp and industries needing cost-competitive, sustainably produced raw materials.

Cone's US Hemp Collection covers everything from classic 311 and comfort stretch fabrics to current workwear constructions. The line builds on Cone's sustainability and traceability policies, propelling the industry forward.

The proximity of hemp, indigo, and cotton crops in the United States to the business's mills in Mexico are also important, according to the company, in minimizing environmental impact and footprint.

Cone Denim president Steve Maggard, said that BastCore's innovation of American hemp presents significant prospects to make sustainable denim created from US-sourced farm goods located in close proximity to Cone's manufacturing sites in Mexico. US farmers use world-class sustainable farming practices creating high-quality products including cotton, corn for size starch, natural plant-based indigo, and, more recently, hemp, which are used in Cone's denim. They’re honored to help the American agricultural economy and collaborate with like-minded partners who share their commitment and passion.

BastCore managing director Austin Bryant said that Cone's earlier work and devotion to sustainable innovations created a natural fit with BastCore and our objective to bridge the gap between farmers cultivating hemp and companies needing cost-competitive, sustainably produced raw materials. Developing new products is difficult and fraught with hurdles and roadblocks. Cone's product teams' knowledge and dedication allowed for exceptional collaboration in handling those difficulties and bringing the numerous benefits of hemp fibers to denim.