NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) today revealed another step in the vision NIKE,
Inc. President and CEO Mark Parker recently described at its Investor
Meeting, as a “manufacturing revolution”. NIKE, Inc. celebrated the
opening of a waterfree dyeing facility featuring high-tech equipment to
eliminate the use of water and process chemicals from fabric dyeing at
its Taiwanese contract manufacturer Far Eastern New Century Corp. NIKE,
Inc. has named this sustainable innovation “ColorDry” to highlight the
environmental benefits and unprecedented coloring achieved with the
technology.
Dyed fabric emerges from the ColorDry dye vessel. (Photo: Business Wire)
Today’s opening event follows NIKE, Inc.’s February 2012 announcement
that it had taken a strategic stake in Dutch start-up, DyeCoo Textile
Systems B.V., a company that invented a technology to replace water,
normally used for dyeing, with recyclable CO2, reducing energy use and
eliminating the need for added chemicals in the process.
On average, an estimated 100-150 liters of water is needed to process
one kg of textiles today. Industry analysts estimate that more than 39
million tons of polyester will be dyed annually by 2015. NIKE, Inc.’s
Chief Operating Officer, Eric Sprunk, believes that as businesses
recognize the need to reduce dependence on constrained resources,
manufacturing innovation can play a key role.
“NIKE, Inc. innovates not only in the design of our products but also in
how they are made. We see sustainability and business growth as
complementary and our strategy is to prioritize relationships with
factory groups that demonstrate a desire to invest in sustainable
practices and technologies. Our collaboration with Far Eastern and
DyeCoo, to develop and scale the ColorDry process, is an important
milestone on our path towards manufacturing innovation,” said Sprunk.
Initial indications from Far Eastern New Century Corp. (FENC) show the
ColorDry process is both more efficient and more consistent than
traditional, resource-intensive dyeing methods. “Compared to traditional
dyeing methods, the ColorDry process reduces dyeing time by 40%, energy
use by around 60% and the required factory footprint by a quarter. It’s
also the most saturated, intense and consistent color we’ve seen,” said
Mr Kuenlin Ho, Exec. Vice President at FENC.
The dyehouse opening and technology demonstration was attended by NIKE,
Inc., FENC and DyeCoo executives along with other NIKE, Inc. vendors and
members of the Taiwanese Government, who also heard that
Netherlands-based DyeCoo will soon open an office in Taiwan to service
increasing demand for its technology.
“NIKE, Inc.’s commitment as an investor and technical partner is unique
in supporting DyeCoo to reach its true potential. IKEA also invested in
DyeCoo and both companies have connected us with supply chain partners.
I see enormous possibilities to reshape the dyeing industry and adjacent
industries as we work together to expand the application of our
technology beyond polyester,” said Geert Woerlee, of DyeCoo.
Consumers can expect to see NIKE, Inc. ColorDry products in the
marketplace from early 2014.
![](http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&sty=20131202006450r1&sid=ntxv4&distro=nx)
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20131202006450/en/
Copyright Business Wire 2013