Crystal Denim Is Doubling Down in Vietnam

Apr 02, 2023

Hong Kong's Crystal Denim is building out its capabilities in Vietnam with the goal of developing a sustainable, verticalized manufacturing hub.

The group, which won almost 70 global and local awards for its commitment to responsible production practices last year, aims to strengthen its capacities in the region as a means of promoting speed and efficiency. Localizing production will also cut down on the carbon cost of shipping goods throughout the supply chain, the group said, and it plans to launch fabric collections developed with greener, and faster, manufacturing processes.

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A recently established 3D team has expanded the factory's capacity for virtual sampling, cutting down on sample waste and shortening lead times with Browzwear technology. The shift is expected to improve Crystal Denim's virtual development capabilities by 50 percent this year. Meanwhile, a proprietary innovation hub, Smart Laundry, has been standardized across Crystal Denim's factories. Laser technologies have replaced sandblasting, waterless enzymes and green chemistry are used for washing and finishing, and front-loading and E-Flow washing machines cut down on the water and chemicals needed to complete processing. The advancements also benefit workers; an automatic denim chemical spray machine used in the Vietnam facility allows employees to avoid exposure to irritating compounds, replacing the hand-spraying of potassium permanganate.

The news follows Crystal Denim's recent collaborations with Advance Denim and Prosperity Textile to enhance vertical development in Vietnam and broaden the scope of fabric production. Nine different fabrications were developed through the partnership, yielding 20 different products, including circular options.

The Advance Denim partnership saw the co-development of fabrics made with fully recycled materials, from pre-consumer cotton to spandex and polyester. Those elements were combined with Crystal Denim's Infinity Blue Wash technique to produce a suite of new characteristics and shades. The partners even released their first net-zero emissions jean during the fourth quarter of 2022.

The collaboration with Prosperity Textile focused on applying qualities like stretch, along with decorative marbling, using more sustainable production processes. Prosperity released Biostretch, a plant-based and biodegradable alternative to polyester, in 2020.

Crystal Denim said partnering with local mills significantly cuts down on transportation costs and carbon emissions. It has also helped the group slash energy consumption by 25 percent and shorten lead times by a whopping 80 percent. "We spearhead local sourcing and accelerate supply chain collaboration in Vietnam to build synergy," Crystal Denim assistant general manager Miles Lam said. "All of us share common goals to initiate sustainable denim fabric and develop exclusive jeans for our customers."

The company plans to expand upon its local sourcing relationships and take on more collaborative opportunities, he added. Founded in Hong Kong in 1970, it has diversified its product offerings as well as its sourcing footprint over the course of more than half a century. Five product categories including lifestyle apparel, denim, intimates, knits and sportswear comprise the Crystal International Group portfolio, which is produced across about 20 production facilities in Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

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