Crystal International Group is taking circularity to new heights with the launch of an eco-denim collection – Second Life online. The Hong Kong-based manufacturing giant’s latest collection is made from recycled denim textiles and sustainable materials to reduce wastage and keep resources in use.

Assistant general manager of product development of Crystal Denim, Miles Lam, said the collection extends the circularity to even ‘Third Life’, going beyond ‘Second Life’ by repurposing the waste from the circular textiles into new denim goods. To work towards zero waste, cut waste from Second Life denim is gathered and upcycled into new kimono jackets, accessories, and patches.

The collection is made of recycled cotton that has been dyed with liquid indigo to save even more water and chemicals. Crystal claims that several major wastewater characteristics including chemical oxygen demand COD and total suspended solids can be decreased by more than 60%.

With eco washing methods applied in the finishing procedures without manual labour, recycled denim fabrics can minimise the environmental footprint of virgin denim textiles production, notably water consumption.

The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) has been applied to the whole collection of closed-loop denim created from recycled textiles, as well as sustainable materials such as Repreve recycled polyester and Lycra T400 fibre with EcoMade technology. Certified items are traceable throughout the supply chain according to the chain of custody rules.

The collection's items also include a QR code that, when scanned, leads to a video describing the collection as well as production specifics such as fabric details, sample room and washing information, Environmental Impact Measurement score, and certificate logo.

In 2020, a Chinese eco denim plant launched the Second Life idea, aiming to infuse pre-consumer cut waste and sorted scraps with a new life.

Crystal Denim can minimise water and energy consumption from growing new cotton, which contributes to roughly 70% of water consumption and 10% of carbon emissions during the entire life cycle of denim jeans, by lowering the use of new materials. Crystal Denim has successfully produced 10 denim textiles for men and womenswear by collaborating with the partnering mills.

The Second Life textiles are said to deliver more depth of colour and higher intensity of weft yarn while preserving durability when compared with the traditional recycled denim fabrics.

Furthermore, all textiles are available in both physical and digital formats, and they help with product creation by allowing for 3D virtual sampling.