One might say that La Scala Theater has seen it all over its centuries-long history, but it is safe to say that this is the first time a dye made from only textile scraps has been in its spotlight. In fact, in Milan’s most famous theater, on the evening of Sunday 22nd September 2024, Officina39 took part in the Sustainable Fashion Awards 2024 organized by the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana.. Despite not winning, the company, founded in 1992, was nominated among the three finalists of the Groundbreaking Award with its patented dye Recycrom™.

Inspired by Italian craftsmanship and creativity, Officina39 researches and develops sustainable chemicals for the textile, apparel and denim industries, creating technologies with low environmental impact, reducing the use of resources and raw materials. Six years ago, these goals led to the creation of Recycrom™, a range of pigment powders derived 100% from used clothing, fibrous material, and textile scraps through a patented mechanical upcycling process. These fibers produce exceptionally even dyes that can be used on fabrics and garments made of cotton, wool, nylon, or other natural and synthetic fibers, either by dyeing, printing, coating, or spraying.

Participating at the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2024 is a recognition that rewards the efforts of Officina39. The company has been developing and improving this technology for years by working closely with brands, which often provide the garments to be recycled for unique, custom-made dyes. Blue of a Kind, Calvin Klein, Flavia La Rocca, G-Star Row, H&M Group, OVS, Pangaia, Stella McCartney, Tommy Hilfiger are just some of the partners who have joined the Recycrom™ journey.

To make this color revolution even more accessible and impactful to the market and the industry, last year Officina39 also launched Recycrom™ Ready to Dye, a range of 15 ready-in-stock colors made from a minimum of 65% recycled pre- and post-consumer textile materials, offering brands the ability to choose and create their own dyes from a standard color chart.

Moreover, Officina39 is, for all its purposes, a laboratory and workshop where new solutions are experimented every day to meet the needs of fashion and the environment. Here, the key word is Trustainable, a mix of passion, innovation, sustainable practices, transparency and social responsibility. The CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2024 is a milestone to remember in Officina39’s journey, but the path to a less impactful industry is still long and full of innovation.