EQUA by Panther Textiles Holding & Tat Fung Textiles Co. Ltd.

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By Panther Textiles Holding & Tat Fung Textile Co., Ltd.

WHAT IS EQUA? Developed by Panther Textiles Holding and Tat Fung Textile Co., Ltd., EQUA is a patented technology that combines initiatives in four different stages of the textile manufacturing process, to minimize the environmental footprint and help create a cleaner world.

The four stages involved in EQUA are raw material, spinning, dyeing and finishing. The combined results are more raw material sourced through The Better Cotton Initative (BCI), 80% reduction in water consumption, increased production efficiency, as well as enhanced product quality.

Total 80% water reduction

Cleaner water Cleaner world

11% increase efficiency

Softer fabric feel Enhanced quality

PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

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THE FIRST STAGE

RAW MATERIAL Panther Textiles Holding and Tat Fung Textile Co., Ltd. are members of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). BCI is a non-profit organization that works to ensure fair trade and sustainable cotton worldwide.

BCI exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in, and better for the sector’s future, by developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity.

As a result, Panther Textiles ensures that the production process starts in a sustainable manner, promoted by sustainable raw materials and fair trade.

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PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

THE SECOND STAGE

SPINNING PROCESS EQUA is also integrated in the spinning process, where the cotton is turned into yarn. Here, Panther Textiles has changed from the conventional methods of spinning, such as ring-spun and open-end yarn, to low-twist yarn. By doing so, Panther Textiles can now spin the same yarn count with 11% higher production efficiency. This has also resulted in a 13% reduction in electricity consumption. In addition, the low-twist yarn also creates a softer hand feel to the fabric, increasing the comfortability of the finished products.

PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

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PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

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THE THIRD STAGE

DYEING PROCESS Indigo dyeing is the traditional and most commonly used method for dyeing denim fabric. With this method, 8-12 vats are required for the color to be sufficiently absorbed into the fabric.

Now however, with EQUA, we have developed a new method that replaces the indigo dyeing with liquid sulphur. By doing so, we have reduced water consumption from 89,900 liters to 44,700 liters of water per 10,000 meters of fabric we produce. These savings amounts to the water needed to produce over 6,200 pairs of jeans. The 50% reduction in water consumption also increases the production efficiency as the liquid sulphur only require 2 vats, instead of the traditional 8-12 vats. The reason for this significant reduction is that the liquid sulphur much more efficiently binds color to the fabric.

The water still used for dyeing is moved to our water treatment facility after use, where it goes through a thorough water purification process before being safely discharged.

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PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

IMPROVED EFFICIENCY

50% WATER REDUCTION IN THE DYEING PROCESS

ENHANCED QUALITY

PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

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98% WATER REDUCTION IN THE FINISHING PROCESS

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PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

THE FOURTH STAGE

FINISHING PROCESS In order to further reduce water and energy consumption, Panther Textiles has invested in state-of-the-art equipment that utilizes liquid ammonia for the finishing mercerization process. Mercerization adds a protective layer to the finished fabric that enhances both the quality, and the aesthetic properties of the fabric. Caustic mercerization is usually used for this process, which requires large amounts of water to wash of the surface alkaline. By changing from caustic mercerization to liquid ammonia, we now only use 1,400 liters of water per 10,000 meters of fabric, wich is a 98% reduction of water consumption in the finishing process.

After use, the residual ammonia is moved to our recycling module, where the ammonia is again liquefied by using low temperature and cooling water.

PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

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For each pair of jeans produced, we can now save

28 liters of water In one year, we can save

949 million liters of water Enough to cover the water consumption of

20,000 people for a full year

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PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

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PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

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ALL STAGES COMBINED

THE POWER OF EQUA All stages combined, EQUA has resulted in a significant 80% reduction in our water consumption. For each pair of jeans produced, we can now save 28 liters of water. For every 10,000 meters of fabric we produce, this amounts to saving more than 173,000 liters of water.

In one year, we can save over 949 million liters of water. Enough water to fill 380 Olympic sized swimming pools, or cover the water consumption of 20,000 people for a full year.

By developing environmental initiatives in the 4 stages; raw material, spinning, dyeing and finishing, the combined results are significant:

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sourcing more sustainable raw material through fair trade.

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reducing water consumption by 80%.

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increased production efficiency.

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producing softer and more comfortable products with

increased aesthetic properties and enhanced quality.

EQUA is our latest solution for creating a healthier and cleaner planet.

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PANTHER TEXTILES HOLDING & TAT FUNG TEXTILE CO., LTD.

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.panther-textiles.com / www.tatfung-tex.com