Celebrating its 25th anniversary, bluesign continues to lead innovation in eco-conscious manufacturing. In 2020, it unveiled the bluesign® Denim Initiative, a strategic move aimed at revolutionizing one of the most emblematic and environmentally taxing categories in fashion. Since its launch, this initiative has sparked a widespread transformation across the global supply chain. It has inspired luxury labels, top-tier brands, and progressive denim mills to embrace sustainable manufacturing methods supported by verified chemical management systems.
Milestone Achievements in 2024–2025: Scaling Sustainable Denim
The 2024–2025 period emerged as a significant turning point for the bluesign® Denim Initiative. Major industry stakeholders synchronized their sustainability targets, integrated bluesign® System Partner producers into their operations, and introduced bluesign® Approved denim products at an unprecedented scale. The momentum was further bolstered by regulatory changes, rising demand for transparent sourcing, and the formation of key strategic alliances—reinforcing bluesign’s role at the forefront of reshaping denim’s future.
bluesign® Adds Nishat Mills to its System Partner Network, Boosting Sustainable Manufacturing in South Asia
bluesign proudly welcomes Nishat Mills Limited—among South Asia’s most comprehensive textile manufacturers—as its latest system partner. Based in Lahore, Pakistan, Nishat joins a global network committed to removing hazardous substances from production and adopting safe, transparent, and environmentally sound processes. With operations that span spinning, weaving, processing, stitching, and power generation, Nishat is a major supplier of premium fabrics and garments to leading global retailers. This partnership enables Nishat to implement the bluesign® System’s robust standards in chemical and environmental safety throughout its operations.
Umer Shah, Executive Director of Nishat Fabrics, remarked, “Our bluesign® certification represents more than just an achievement—it reflects the foundational values we operate by. Becoming Pakistan’s first mill to enter the bluesign® system demonstrates our dedication to clean chemistry, worker safety, and efficient resource use. For us, true progress means creating with intention, and this partnership is a step in that purposeful journey.”
This development strengthens bluesign’s influence in South Asia—an essential hub for global textile production. With increasing pressure from regulations and brands for supply chain transparency, Nishat’s compliance with bluesign® guidelines will support partners in aligning with evolving policies such as the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
Expanding the bluesign® Denim Network: System Partners Catalyzing Industry Change
The bluesign® Denim Initiative reached a new milestone by onboarding a record number of denim-focused system partners across the entire textile value chain—including brands, laundries, mills, and chemical suppliers. This expansion has established a global presence unmatched within the fashion industry.
Brands & Retailers:
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Dondup (Italy)
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J Crew / Madewell (USA)
Laundries & Mills (by country):
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Nishat (Pakistan)
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ISKO (Turkey)
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Advance Denim (China)
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Everest (Italy)
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LIM Group (Italy)
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Saitex Laundry & Mill (Vietnam & USA – LA)
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Pure Denim (Italy)
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Prosperity Textiles (China)
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Sanko Tekstil – Martelli Branch (Turkey)
Chemical Companies:
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Archroma
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Nearchimica
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Officina +39
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RUDOLF
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ZAITEX
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DyStar
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Soko Chimica
These new partnerships set a higher standard for traceability and environmentally conscious denim production—ensuring that sustainability is not just part of brand messaging but deeply integrated into the entire manufacturing ecosystem.
Daniel Rüfenacht, CEO of bluesign, emphasized, “Denim holds a unique cultural and economic significance in fashion. By collaborating with brands, mills, and laundries that prioritize clean chemistry and transparency, we are fundamentally transforming this segment from within.”
Luxury Sector Embraces the Shift: Everest & LIM Group Join the bluesign® System
Two of Europe’s leading denim treatment facilities—Everest Textile Technologies and LIM Group—joined the bluesign® SYSTEM in 2024. These laundries serve world-renowned luxury fashion brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Balenciaga, and AMIRI. Now offering bluesign® APPROVED finishes, these partners are setting new benchmarks for transparency, water management, and responsible denim processing.
Global Brand Impact: Dondup & Madewell Lead with Purpose
In Italy, Dondup has become a bluesign® system partner under the leadership of CEO Matteo Anchisi, merging its heritage in Italian craftsmanship with modern sustainable standards. In the United States, Madewell’s entry into the bluesign® system reflects the growing consumer demand for transparent and ethically sourced fashion, marking a pivotal shift in U.S. retail.
Future Outlook: Paving the Way for Scalable Sustainable Practices
The bluesign® Denim Initiative provides its partners with a clear roadmap for integrating best-in-class environmental and chemical protocols through tailored facility assessments and structured implementation support.
Each new partner extends the initiative’s ripple effect, inspiring upstream and downstream stakeholders—from raw material suppliers to dyehouses—to adopt more sustainable methods. The result is a global denim supply chain that is more resilient, transparent, and driven by scientific innovation and shared responsibility.
“This is how meaningful transformation takes root,” Rüfenacht concluded. “One committed partner at a time—until sustainability is no longer optional, but the expected norm.”
