Bluesign, a global pioneer in sustainable manufacturing, has marked a significant milestone with the continued expansion of its Denim Initiative during 2024-2025. Launched in 2020, the initiative aims to transform denim a category long known for its environmental impact by promoting clean chemical management and verified sustainable practices across the entire value chain. Over the past year, the initiative has seen remarkable progress, with a growing number of system partners aligning with Bluesign’s rigorous standards and bringing traceable, responsibly made denim products to market at an unprecedented scale.
A key development in this expansion is the inclusion of Nishat Mills Limited, one of South Asia’s largest vertically integrated textile companies, as a new Bluesign system partner. Based in Lahore, Pakistan, Nishat joins a global network committed to eliminating harmful substances from textile production and implementing cleaner, safer processes. With operations spanning spinning to power generation, Nishat supplies leading brands with premium fabrics. This partnership aligns its facilities with the Bluesign System, helping meet emerging regulations such as the EU Digital Product Passport, Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
Nishat’s Executive Director Umer Shah called the certification a reflection of the company’s values and a step toward cleaner chemistry and responsible resource use. As the first mill in Pakistan to join the system, Nishat strengthens Bluesign’s influence in South Asia a key region in the global textile landscape.
Throughout the year, the Bluesign Denim Initiative added numerous partners across the textile ecosystem, including brands like Dondup in Italy and J Crew/Madewell in the USA. Leading laundries and mills also joined the movement: ISKO (Turkey), Advance Denim (China), Everest and LIM Group (Italy), Saitex (Vietnam/LA), Pure Denim (Italy), Prosperity Textiles (China), and Sanko Tekstil - Martelli Branch (Turkey). Chemical companies such as Archroma, RUDOLF, DyStar, Nearchimica, ZAITEX, Soko Chimica, and Officina+39 further strengthened the supply chain’s push for clean chemistry.
Bluesign also made significant inroads into the luxury fashion segment. Italian laundries Everest and LIM Group, which serve global names like Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, adopted Bluesign standards, setting a new precedent for sustainable denim finishing and water stewardship. Dondup’s integration of the Bluesign system reflects Italy’s growing commitment to sustainable craftsmanship, while Madewell’s participation shows the increasing influence of American consumer demand for transparency.
As the initiative grows, Bluesign offers a practical blueprint for change providing facility assessments and system integration support to drive sustainable transformation. Each new partner expands the ripple effect, encouraging others across the supply chain to follow.
“This is how change happens,” said Bluesign CEO Daniel Rufenacht. “One partner at a time until sustainable practices become the industry norm.”
