Indian textile manufacturer Arvind Limited, in partnership with global fashion retailer H&M Group and technology provider Deven Supercritical, has launched the nation’s first industrial-scale supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂) dyeing technology, representing a transformative advancement for the environmentally intensive textile industry. The groundbreaking facility, unveiled on December 9, 2025, introduces a waterless dyeing process that could fundamentally alter the environmental footprint of one of India’s largest export sectors.
The conventional textile dyeing process is notoriously resource-intensive, consuming between 100 to 150 liters of water to dye just one kilogram of fabric while simultaneously releasing significant chemical pollutants into waterways. This new technology replaces water entirely with supercritical CO₂—a state where carbon dioxide exhibits properties of both a liquid and a gas—as the dyeing medium. Under high pressure and controlled temperature, the CO₂ becomes an exceptional solvent that penetrates textile fibers efficiently, carrying dyes without the need for water or additional chemical additives.
This technological breakthrough arrives at a critical juncture for India’s textile industry, which contributes approximately 2% to the country’s GDP and employs over 45 million people. Many manufacturing hubs, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, face severe water scarcity issues exacerbated by traditional dyeing practices. The supercritical CO₂ process not only eliminates water consumption but also reduces energy usage by up to 40% compared to conventional methods, as it eliminates the need for lengthy drying times after dyeing.
The collaboration represents a significant example of vertical integration in sustainable innovation, bringing together a major textile producer (Arvind), a global fashion brand (H&M), and specialized technology developers (Deven Supercritical). This partnership model helps de-risk the substantial investment required for pioneering technology while ensuring the end result meets commercial scalability requirements for large-scale fashion production.
Industry analysts note that the adoption of supercritical CO₂ dyeing could dramatically enhance the competitiveness of Indian textiles in international markets increasingly governed by environmental regulations and sustainability standards. The European Union’s stringent environmental policies and growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products have created substantial market pressure for cleaner production methods. This technology positions Indian manufacturers to meet these demands without compromising on cost or quality.
The development of this technology follows nearly two decades of research into supercritical fluid applications for textiles, with earlier prototypes facing challenges related to scaling and commercial viability. Previous attempts by other research institutions and companies struggled with equipment costs and achieving consistent results across different fabric types. The successful deployment at industrial scale suggests these technical hurdles have been overcome, potentially paving the way for wider adoption across the textile industry.
Environmental experts have welcomed the development as a potential game-changer for river systems in India that have suffered decades of pollution from textile dye effluents. Major river systems including the Noyyal in Tamil Nadu and the Sabarmati in Gujarat have borne the environmental burden of textile manufacturing, with contamination affecting both ecosystems and drinking water supplies for downstream communities. The closed-loop system of supercritical CO₂ dyeing ensures that approximately 95% of the CO₂ and dyes are recaptured and reused in subsequent cycles, virtually eliminating wastewater discharge.
While the initial investment in supercritical CO₂ dyeing technology remains higher than conventional dyeing systems, the long-term operational savings through reduced water, energy and chemical costs, combined with potential premium pricing for sustainably produced textiles, create a compelling business case for adoption. The technology is particularly suited for synthetic fabrics like polyester, which constitute a growing segment of the global textile market, though research continues to expand its application to natural fibers.
The successful implementation of this technology aligns with India’s broader sustainability commitments, including its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement and efforts to promote water conservation through various government initiatives. As the technology scales and costs decrease, it could potentially transform not only large-scale textile manufacturing but also provide more sustainable solutions for India’s vast informal textile sector in the longer term.
This innovation represents a significant step forward in reconciling industrial development with environmental sustainability, offering a template for other manufacturing sectors seeking to reduce their ecological impact while maintaining economic competitiveness in global markets.
