EIM (Environmental Impact Measurement), one of the global reference platforms measuring the environmental impact of textile finishing processes, has published its Denim Industry Progress & Insights 2025 report for the denim sector. Analysing more than 100,000 real denim finishing processes, the study revealed that the industry has made significant progress in its sustainability journey, while the need for transformation particularly in chemical use continues. According to the report, 66 percent of denim finishing processes are now classified as “low impact”. Process optimisation, automation investments and the wider adoption of more efficient technologies played a major role in this development. The report also underlined that the textile industry remains one of the industrial sectors with the highest environmental impact, emphasising the importance of measurement and data-driven decision-making processes for the transition towards more sustainable production models. EIM was highlighted as a guide enabling brands and manufacturers to objectively assess environmental performance.
Balanced water consumption, strong energy performance
The report pointed out notable progress particularly in water and energy optimisation. Water consumption remained stable at around 30 litres per garment, indicating that the industry has reached a certain balance point following years of continuous improvement efforts. On the energy side, the report presented a stronger picture. Eighty-five percent of processes were classified as low impact in terms of energy consumption. Equipment modernisation, automation systems and next-generation production technologies were identified among the key drivers behind this progress.
Pressure for transformation in chemical use
One of the report’s most striking findings was related to chemical impact. According to the data, 27 percent of processes are still classified as high impact. The continued use of generic chemicals, lack of transparency in formulations and the persistence of traditional practices such as pumice stones and potassium permanganate were identified among the factors slowing down the sustainability transition. The report also noted that, despite the availability of more environmentally friendly alternative technologies, the transformation across the industry has not yet progressed at the desired pace. At the same time, the increasing adoption of automation in denim finishing processes has contributed not only to environmental performance but also to worker health. According to the report, 68 percent of processes were classified as low impact in terms of worker health. The replacement of manual and riskier applications with automation systems was highlighted as an important development for occupational safety.
“Reliable data is essential for real transformation”
Begoña García, creator of EIM and co-author of the report, stated that the industry has been able to improve as long as it measures its impact, adding that unsustainable practices must now be abandoned and new technologies adopted more rapidly. García also noted that reliable data has become more important than ever for the industry to achieve genuine transformation. The report, which will be updated annually, is considered an important reference source for brands, manufacturers and supply chain stakeholders in benchmarking performance, identifying areas for improvement and monitoring sustainability targets. The EIM system evaluates four main categories: water consumption, energy use, chemical impact and worker health. Using specific benchmarks for denim finishing, garment washing and dyeing processes, the system enables manufacturers to measure their processes transparently and verifiably.
