(THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY MARCHI & FILDI – ONE OF THE SOLUTION PROVIDERS FEATURED IN GLOBAL FASHION AGENDA’S INNOVATION FORUM)

The methodology of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) carried out on the dyeing plant has quantified the energy savings and the reduction on the environmental impact.

The Marchi & Fildi Group communicates the results from the study LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) held by ICEA – Istituto per la Certificazione Etica ed Ambientale, to quantify the energy consumptions of the dyeing process on the plant located in Magnonevolo (Biella).

This plant was totally refurbished in 2018 through an investment of 1,5 million euros, with the goal to get a dyeing mill with a lower environmental impact, both for the production of the whole Marchi & Fildi Group and for third parties.

The Study puts in evidence the economy values related to the dyeing process of a type yarn (cotton in blend with noble fibers) which represents about 50% of the total production of the dyeing mill. This kind of product is considered to be expensive and with a high environmental impact, due to the high water and energy consumption.

The analysis was carried out comparing the consumptions associated to a traditional 20-years-old dyeing plant with those of the new Marchi & Fildi system. The reduction of needs of energy and water is related to:

• Latest technology with machinery produced by the Company OBEM (located in Biella)

• Formula with chemical products and dyestuffs able to reduce the energy needs

The environmental benefits associated with this process for each kg of dyed yarn can be quantified on average as follows:

• Less 48% water: this water comes from deep groundwater and has a high pureness. After the dyeing process, it is depurated according to a protocol, which is stricter than the common European legislation and aligned with the ZDHC parameters

• Less 57% energy, from renewable and not renewable resources. The brand new plant contributes to this important parameter thanks to the reduction of energy needs up to 33%, while solar panels provide renewable energy for the production processes

• Less 43% steam used to warm up the water

• Less 38% total consumption of resources used in the whole dyeing process

To give the idea of the total reduction of the environmental impact of the dyeing mill, the average consumption of water in one year is about 55 mln liters. Compared to 105 mln liters necessary for a traditional dyeing system, the result is 50 million liters spared in one year.

About the annual gas consumption, the average economy is about 580.000 m3 per year. The plant needs about 770.000 m3 in one year, while a traditional plant would have a 1.350.000 m3 consumption.

“We started our way to the sustainability more than 20 years ago with the development of the ECOTEC®* technology. The benefits relative to this LCA Study are only the latest step that highlights the continuous commitment of our Group for the environmental protection” – this is the comment by Massimo Marchi, president of the Group Marchi & Fildi – Filidea.