Sustainability in Denim Manufacturing: Experimental Study on Recycled Denim
摘要
Sustainable recycled denim trousers are manufactured from denim cutting waste, and recycled rotor yarn is used in the weft direction. Regular denim trousers were made for comparison. Both pairs of trousers go through the same finishing process. Physio-mechanical qualities (tear, tensile, seam strength, etc.), color fastness (washing and rubbing), thermal (resistance and conductivity), and comfort (softness, stiffness, and air permeability) were measured and analyzed. Recycled trousers had 4.38% increased GSM, 5.2% shrinkage, and 43.82% decreased air permeability with improved tear and tensile strength. Recycled trousers showed better comfort and improved thermal conductivity properties than regular trousers. Recycled rotor yarn cost is 13.6% cheaper than regular rotor yarn with the same characteristics. The study’s experimental approach suggests that sustainable recycled denim manufacturing is potentially viable in the market based on its performance and cost-effectiveness.