Process improvement in denim washing

Abstract

This research study is primarily concerned with exploring the avenues for improving the denim washing process while minimizing environmental pollution and satisfying customer expectations. Since denim washing itself is involved with processing of dyes and chemicals that affect the environment, a total prevention of pollution cannot be expected. On the other hand denims are customer driven products and more fashionable out looks are always demanded and of which end result could also be producing a lot of impacts to the environment. So that it is necessary to control the washing processes and take every steps to minimize industry wastes and environmental pollution by employing alternative applications with learned limitations on the products and washing processes. This research attempts to examine process improvements in denim washing in three directions; product quality, process quality and environment pollution. In order to enhance customer satisfaction, garment quality is to be ensured against customer's stated and unstated needs while monitoring the washing process. The contributory factors in deter mining the quality of process are cost reduction, productivity improvement, waste minimization, optimum use of resources etc. In case of pollution prevention, water conservation, reuse of chemicals, waste minimization, waste recovery, effluent control, of environmental hazards etc. are examined. This study shows the means of increasing the quality of garments and productivity of processes. It proposes the use of bio-degradable enzymes in place of harmful chemicals .In case of preventing environmental pollution, fully compliance to legal requirements and regulations draws high priority. Above all, creation of an awareness on customer trends and behavior, denim washing, use of chemicals and enzymes, washing conditions etc. is essential.