Lee is testing sustainable production methods together with a series of new technologies and materials, mainly circling around denim production.

Indigood Denim is a foam dyeing technique that does not use water and features 89 per cent less chemicals and 65 per cent less energy than traditional dyeing. At Lee, Indigood is featured in the spring preview ’20 range on two different washes on the slim tapered Luke fit men’s jean. Back to Nature features pieces that are meant to be completely biodegradable. They are made using entirely compostable linen-cotton yarns, and no rivets, so that when the garment is no longer needed, the buttons can be unscrewed for re-use and the rest is just thrown into the compost, where it will biodegrade. Sustainable Selvage is an ongoing collaboration with Italian denim mill Candiani. The result is a series of jeans created using less energy, water and chemicals. Sustainable production and finishing processes include the use of Kitotex dyeing, derived from the food waste industry. Sustainable laundry treatments include lasering that does not use chemicals and E-Flow which uses less chemicals and water. PP spray (used for creating worn effects) has been replaced with an eco-friendly bleaching additive.

Lee is benchmarking its sustainability initiatives’ impacts on environmental and social issues since this will help the brand set targets over time.