While Advance Denim’s roots are firmly planted in China, the company’s fully integrated denim mill in Vietnam, Advance Sico, is making waves of its own.
Founded in 2019, Advance Sico was created to be the most flexible, sustainable, innovative and reliable denim mill by manufacturing and shipping high-quality products that meet the region’s fashion demands. Helping it deliver on these objectives, Advance Sico has been able to leverage its parent company’s 38 years of experience.
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“Advance Denim holds the distinction of being the first denim mill in China, rooted in tradition but driven by technical and sustainable progress. Since day one, the goal has been to be the most innovative and sustainable denim producer while respecting the true vintage nature of denim,” said Mark Ix, director of North American marketing at Advance Denim. “The dedication to ongoing advancement is also the focus of Advance Sico.”
Advance Denim’s research and development efforts are being integrated into Advance Sico’s plant. For instance, in line with its commitment to sustainability and innovation, Advance Denim introduced the Blue Loop Indigo Recovery System in the fourth quarter of 2024. This cutting-edge technology uses membrane separation to extract indigo dyestuffs from wastewater. It can recycle over 90 percent of the water and indigo back in to the production line and and nearly zero wastewater discharge. These exceptional results have been verified by Reset Carbon, Asia’s leading carbon management consultancy.
Blue Loop will be installed in Advance Sico’s dye ranges by the third quarter of 2025. Ix noted that the system will complement the classic Morrison rope dye ranges, which have “long been the standard for vintage indigo dyeing.”
“This combination of vintage rope dye aesthetics with closed-loop sustainable production truly represents the future of vintage denim,” he added.
Advance Sico is also investing in flexibility with the addition of looms capable of weaving vintage selvage styles, as well as Advance Denim’s patented FreeCross bi-stretch and knit-like airlock qualities.
In addition to a variety of weaving techniques, Advance Sico has added overdye and prepare for dying (PFD) capacity to its already robust dyeing and finishing capabilities. This added range and innovation will allow designers to create both true vintage and high-performance styles in the same facility, Ix said.
While factory upgrades and innovations are essential to Advance Sico, the mill is equally committed to compliance. In fact, Advance Sico is the first facility in Vietnam to receive certifications such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Organic Content Standard (OCS) and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS). It is also the first mill to offer traceable regenerative cotton through its partnership with Good Earth Cotton.
Additionally, the mill only uses Archroma Aniline-free indigo—a non-toxic dye used to produce blue denim and jeans without the use of aniline, a colorless to brown, oily, poisonous liquid—in the region.
With sourcing diversification a high priority for brands, Advance Sico offers Advance Denim’s clients an opportunity to expand their manufacturing footprint to Vietnam through an existing, trusted partner.
“As the industry moves into 2025 with mixed signals, Advance Sico will continue investing in sustainability, flexibility and availability for all our customers. These innovations and upgrades are exciting, but the key foundational principle of our people is what makes it all possible,” Ix said. “Advance Sico incorporates the same sales and customer service teams that manage our China business, creating seamless integration across all our manufacturing hubs through one proven sales team, known for exceptional, consistent service and support.”
Learn more about Advance Denim Limited here.
