Swiss colour and speciality chemicals manufacturer Archroma has developed a new liquid sulphur blue dye designed to mimic indigo, which is aniline-free and can be used in a more sustainable and efficient application process.

Diresul Smartdenim Blue contains aniline that is “below limits of detection” and will be the core of Archroma’s Indigo Reflection colouration system.

It has been developed with a greener shade, better fastness to minimise back staining, and can create overall wash-downs similar to actual indigo, whilst avoiding greyish cast especially in bleaching with hypochlorite.

The dye can be applied in all the standard dyeing methods recommended for sulphur dyes, including pad-ox, pad-steam, exhaust, denim in all its variations (colour denim, bottoming and topping of indigo), as well as in Archroma’s water-saving Advanced Denim technology.

“In the current context of tight availability of indigo precursors, Archroma offers with Diresu Smartdenim Blue an alternative dyestuff to create new blue denim articles that is aniline-free and light in water consumption, but also offers a reliable supply source,” says Albert Llort, head of Archroma’s Global Competence Center for Denim & Special Dyes.

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