SIDBI and IIT Delhi Back Indigotex to Scale Waterless Denim Tech

The investment by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT Delhi into Indigotex marks a significant pivot toward institutional support for deep-tech solutions in the textile sector. As the fashion industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize and reduce its resource footprint, Indigotex’s entry into the market with its INDIWOOL™ Denim and ECOTEX processing technology offers a blueprint for high-performance, low-impact manufacturing. By leveraging the academic rigor of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, the startup is moving beyond incremental improvements to address the fundamental environmental costs of denim production: extreme water intensity and persistent chemical pollution.

At the heart of Indigotex’s value proposition is the ECOTEX technology, which claims to eliminate water and chemical usage entirely during the denim manufacturing process. Traditional denim production is notoriously resource-heavy, often requiring thousands of liters of water for a single pair of jeans and involving hazardous chemical dyes that can devastate local ecosystems through untreated runoff. Indigotex’s ability to reduce energy consumption by up to 85% while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of traditional indigo shades represents a major technological leap. This efficiency is achieved through a patented process that allows indigo to bond with wool fibers—a historically difficult feat—without compromising the material's structural integrity or durability.

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Indigotex’s ability to reduce energy consumption by up to 85% while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of traditional indigo shades represents a major technological leap.

The introduction of INDIWOOL™ Denim further distinguishes the company by targeting the premium and performance apparel segments. By blending indigo-dyed merino wool with biodegradable fibers like cotton, lyocell, and hemp, Indigotex is tackling the growing crisis of microplastic pollution. Most modern stretch denims rely on synthetic elastomers like polyester or spandex that shed microplastics during laundering. Indigotex’s commitment to a 100% biodegradable composition aligns with emerging global regulations, such as the EU’s Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, which seeks to curb the environmental impact of fast fashion and synthetic waste.