Using the NoStone garment washing technology from Tonello, Levi Strauss & Co. has started preliminary development work in their Plock facility in Poland. Tonello's technology provides Levi Strauss an important first step to solving an industry challenge in denim finishing – the use of pumice stones, which have environmental, economic and mechanical disadvantages.

Receiving the award last evening at the ITMA 2015 gala dinner was Levi Strauss & Co.'s R&D Product Researcher, Franky Vangaever. "We are very excited to be the first winner of the ITMA award. The success is a testimony of the strong collaboration of two iconic brands – Tonello and ourselves – in pursuit of industry sustainability,” he commented.

ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award

CEMATEX, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers, launched the ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award as part of its ongoing efforts to encourage and recognise outstanding industry members and post-graduate students for their contributions to the sustainable development of the global textile and garment industry.

The two award categories are ITMA Industry Excellence Award for ITMA 2015 exhibitors and their clients, and the R&I Excellence Award for post-graduate students of institutions participating in the Research & Innovation Pavilion.

"The ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award celebrates the successful collaboration between technology providers and industry users. With both parties working closely together, innovative, yet practical solutions that positively impact the environment and business bottom line can be created. Hence, we hope to continue to encourage more of such industry collaborations. CEMATEX would like to congratulate the winners and finalists for their excellent efforts," said Charles Beauduin, President of CEMATEX.

Industry Excellence Award

The Industry Excellence Award recognises textile and garment manufacturers who have leveraged on technological innovations to advance business sustainability that benefit people, planet and profit. The finalists have worked closely with ITMA 2015 exhibitors to introduce innovative solutions to their production process or products.

One of the other two finalists is Berto Industria Tessile, a leading vertically integrated manufacturer of denim products. It leverages on the Matex Eco Applicator range by ITMA exhibitor Monforts to significantly reduce the amount of liquid needed in finishing denim fabrics, leading to energy savings and a huge reduction in waste water produced.

The other finalist, Gebrüder Otto, is a leading yarn manufacturer which implemented Mayer & Cie's spinitsystems to produce single jersey fabric using up to 35% less energy compared to the conventional process.

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