Danish biotech company Novonesis has launched a new platform to bring enzymatic bleaching capabilities for denim with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of the process.
The DeniBrite system taps into Novonesis’ enzymatic bleaching solution designed to help formulators and laundries create distinctive denim designs such as bright contrasts and vintage fades in a more sustainable way.
The platform combines DeniBrite’s Cold T peroxidase-based bleaching process, which creates bright, contemporary looks through low-temperature bleaching, with its Vintage solution, which uses a laccase-based bleaching process to create aged finishes and gray-cast effects.
Novonesis said the system was designed based on demand for a more sustainable solution to denim bleaching.
“For decades, denim bleaching was about achieving the right look. Today, it is also about proving how that look was made,” said Hans Ole Klingenberg, vice president, planetary health biosolutions, Novonesis. “Brands, formulators and laundries increasingly need confidence that their bleaching systems can meet evolving expectations around chemical compliance and sustainability.”
Chemical management remains a major area for improvement for the denim industry. The Environmental Impact Measurement (EIM)—a global standard for assessing the environmental impact of garment finishing—noted in its 2025 Denim Laundry Industry Progress and Insights report that 27 percent of finishing processes still classified as having a high chemical impact. The report classified another 46 percent of finishing processes as having a medium chemical impact. EIM analyzed 100,200 denim finishing processes from 359 manufacturers for the report.
Novonesis is a Bluesign System Partner, with its bleaching systems meeting the textile sustainability certifier’s criteria for supply chain management, as well as the environmental and social impact of their products. Novonesis also offers its portfolio of products in ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) Level 3-compliant formulations, which represent the global multi-stakeholder organization’s highest level of compliance with its Roadmap to Zero program regulations. The certification confirms that chemicals meet strict manufacturing restricted substances list (MRSL) criteria, undergoing rigorous analytical testing, passing management system audits and includes verified on-site chemical hazard assessment capabilities.
A life cycle assessment of DeniBrite Cold T resulted in an approximately 40 percent lower global warming potential and a 28 percent lower water consumption rate compared to conventional sodium hypochlorite bleaching.
“With DeniBrite, we’re combining proven enzyme technology with verified sustainability documentation to help customers create authentic denim finishes while preparing for what’s next,” Kingenberg said.
