Dyeing and finishing processes in textile production are known for significant water consumption and wastewater treatment requirements, which constitute a considerable portion industry’s operating costs. In response, prominent garment companies joined forces to form the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) programme, which aimed to establish stringent standards for hazardous chemical discharge and encourage supply chains to adopt water conservation and waste reduction practices.

ITRI has long been committed to advancing the textile industry. In 2001, ITRI integrated its wastewater treatment technologies into the dyeing and finishing processes. In 2018, ITRI introduced the world’s first Supercritical CO₂ Dyeing and Synchronized Functionalization Technology, which used carbon dioxide instead of water during the dyeing and finishing processes. The resulting fabric has superior moisture-wicking properties. Moreover, the used carbon dioxide can be recovered through air valves, efficiently achieving zero wastewater and net zero emissions. This technology has been adopted by the textile industry in support of circular economy initiatives.

In 2021, to address the environmental pollution caused by chemical dyes, ITRI developed a microbial dyeing technology that leveraged genetic engineering to modify microbial metabolic pathways. In conjunction with fermentation technology, this technology has enabled the mass production of dyes that meet commercial standards. With thus successful production of the three primary color dyes, high-quality, environmentally friendly dyes in a wide range of colors can be created, assisting the textile industry in achieving sustainability and net-zero carbon dioxide emissions.