By working together with its supplier, Nike has managed to slash the use of water during cotton dyeing. Vertical Knits, a Mexican knitted textile supplier, has used innovative techniques and manufacturing process improvements to reduce its water use by a massive 85 per cent per kilogram of fabric – while halving its energy bill in the process. On an average, it takes approximately 200 liters of freshwater to dye and finish a kilogram of cotton.

Besides water saving, Vertical Knits has also realised almost 50 per cent reduction in energy savings. Vertical Knits and Nike was able to achieve these dramatic savings through close collaboration and a multi-faceted approach. With this partnership Nike has managed to slash the use of water during cotton dyeing to just 20 liters per kilo of cotton – ultra-low levels by conventional textile industry standards.

Vertical Knits, which opened in 2003, is a vertically integrated knitted fabric operation, which produces around 300 tons a month of knitted and dyed fabrics. It works with brands such as Nike and Patagonia. Nike, based in the US, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities.