Textile-to-retail conglomerate Arvind Limited, in collaboration with H&M Group and Indian innovation start-up Deven Supercriticals Pvt. Ltd., announced the inauguration of India’s first supercritical CO₂ dyeing machine at Arvind’s facility in Ahmedabad.
Deven’s flagship innovation, Suprauno, is at the center of this collaboration. The globally patented, dyeing technology uses supercritical CO₂ (carbon dioxide in a fluid state) as the medium to dye fabrics instead of water and chemical compounds. It is the first technology that enables the use of conventional dyes and tri-chrome recipes in supercritical CO₂ for dyeing a wide range of fabrics. The technology is applicable to cotton, polyester, nylon, viscose, silk, linen, acrylic, and their blends.
Suprauno eliminates the need for salt in cotton dyeing and reduction clearing in polyester. At a commercial scale, Deven reports that it delivers up to 76 percent water savings, 67 percent energy savings, and a 90 percent reduction in chemical usage within the coloration stage compared to conventional dyeing.
The Swedish fast fashion firm announced it was testing Suprauno with Arvind in 2024.
“This machine is not just a technological milestone but also a step towards safeguarding water, energy, and health for future generations,” said Swapneshu Baser, founder of Deven Supercriticals Pvt. Ltd. “We are grateful to H&M Group and Arvind for their faith in this innovation and for making this vision a reality.”
Omang Narang, H&M Group’s production manager for India, said electrification is essential for making the textile industry fossil-free.
“Wet processing is the single most impactful area in the value chain for fashion brands like ours, and water- and energy-efficient technologies like this one make further electrification more feasible,” Narang said. “We are proud that our support helps drive the entire industry forward.”
Hosting the world’s first commercial-scale Suprauno machine reaffirm Arvind’s commitment to pioneering sustainable solutions and setting global benchmarks, according to Punit Lalbhai, Arvind Ltd. vice chairman.
Earlier this year, the Indian production giant partnered with Fashion for Good to launch Future Forward Factories India, an initiative that entails establishing an open-source blueprint of best-in-class technologies and a demonstration plant to validate environmental claims.
Arvind is also a long-time partner of Gap Inc. and supports the denim giant’s mission to reduce water consumption. Last year the companies launched the Global Water Innovation Center for Action at Arvind’s Santeji mill. The 18,000-square-foot facility showcases technological advancements in water treatment and helps the fashion sector establish best practices.
Lalbhai added that Arvind’s collaboration with H&M Group and Deven is “proof that innovation, scale, and sustainability can go hand in hand.”
