Candiani Denim continues to push the boundaries of denim fabric and what it means to be a mill.
Last week the Italian mill released Graphito, a graphene-infused fabric developed with Directa Plus, one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of graphene-based products. The collaboration offers a solution to reduce at-home laundering with the benefits of antibacterial, antiviral, and thermoregulatory properties.
Graphito provides long-lasting freshness to ensure that jeans made with it remain clean longer, reducing the need for frequent washing. Candiani said consumers in Europe typically wash jeans after wearing them an average of 2.5-times. With Graphito, jeans stay fresh for up to 10 wears. This reduces the jeans’ water usage and energy consumption by up to 75 percent.
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The fabric comprises two patented technologies. The first is G+ Graphene, which Candiani describes as “the purest and most potent graphene on the market today.” The non-toxic fabric enhancer is produced without chemical additives through a proprietary and patented process based on the physical transformation of natural graphite.
The mill reports that G+ Graphene has “tremendous electrical conductivity, making it the most powerful and lightest known conductor to date.” G+ Graphene’s thermal property stabilizes the temperature and ensures efficient heat diffusion throughout the fabric weave. The G+ Graphene infusion also imparts antistatic and antimicrobial properties to fabrics.
The second patented technology used in Graphito is the naturally occurring bio-based polymer called Kitotex, which replaces liquid plastic in textile production processes. Candiani obtains the polymer from fungi.
Candiani presented the fabric as an athleisure denim track suit. Graphito can be combined with Candiani’s patented bio-stretch fabric, Coreva, to further minimize the fabric’s impact on the environment.
Beyond fabrics, Candiani is being recognized as a leader for innovative production. It was awarded the 2023 ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award on Thursday for Candiani Custom, the Milanese micro factory that opened in 2020 to vertically produce custom-made jeans.
The boutique allows consumers to make bespoke jeans that are cut, packaged, treated and washed on site by skilled workers. The immersive experience promotes quality, sustainability and local manufacturing while reducing overproduction.
Launched in 2015 by CEMATEX, an organization comprising nine national European textile machinery associations, the award recognizes the collaborative efforts throughout the entire textile and garment value chain, to innovate new and sustainable products.
Candiani took home an innovation award at the last ITMA in 2019 for Re-Gen Denim, a fabric collection that uses 50 percent Refibra and 50 percent recycled fibers.
