In 2012, Nike, Inc. invested in DyeCoo Textile Systems, a Dutch company that developed the first commercially available waterless dyeing technology. DyeCoo recently gained a significant new investor in Ikea GreenTech, an Ikea Group venture capital company.
DyeCoos waterless dyeing technology avoids the large amount of water and chemicals used in traditional dyeing processes by using recycled carbon dioxide (CO2).
The textile industry is one of the largest consumers of water, and most of the worlds textile suppliers are located in Asia. The scale of the industrys activity in the region can put pressure on the availability of clean water and contribute to environmental pollution in the discharges from manufacturing processes. By removing the need to use water in the dyeing process and eliminating the risk of effluent discharge, a known environmental hazard, the DyeCoo system could bring significant benefits to the region.
Nikes strategic partnerships group, the Sustainable Business & Innovation Lab, worked closely with Ikea GreenTech throughout the investment process. Nike VP of Sustainable Business & Innovation Hannah Jones welcomed Ikea as a partner in DyeCoo
Jones said, Ikeas decision to invest in this technology signals an exciting step in cross-industry collaboration. A key objective for Nike, when investing in DyeCoo, was to scale the technology to benefit consumers, business and the environment. Were delighted Ikea shares a similar objective to accelerate development of more sustainable materials and manufacturing processes.
The first range of machines developed and manufactured by DyeCoo are for waterless dyeing of polyester fabric. As well as helping to scale the processes for dyeing polyester, the partnership with Ikea will speed up the development of processes and machines for dyeing cotton.
