Denim's colour, softness and finish all depend on chemistry, and so does its impact on rivers and workers. In October 2020, Azgard9 deputy general manager Aamir Muhammad told Lenzing's Carved in Blue: "We have already achieved the SDG 12 goal for 2020", the UN target for the environmentally sound management of chemicals.
He explained how. Azgard9's chemical management system follows the ZDHC Gateway and the Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) required by leading global brands. "All advanced chemistries that we are using are either Bluesign approved or Oeko-Tex certified," he said. Using certified chemicals brings transparency at the manufacturing stage and minimal or no release to water, air and soil. At the time, Azgard9 stood at ZDHC's "progressive" level, and the next goal was to lift internal standards from zero discharge of hazardous chemicals (ZDHC) to zero liquid discharge (ZLD).
The work has continued. Azgard9 publishes wastewater and sludge test results on the ZDHC Gateway, tested by ZDHC-approved laboratories. Chemicals outside the MRSL are banned, and only REACH-registered chemicals are used. An RO plant adds tertiary treatment to the effluent plant, and the company reports meeting ZDHC aspirational parameters. In FY2026, switching to bio-based and ZDHC-compliant formulas cut chemical use by 14 percent relative to production.
Key facts
- SDG 12 chemicals goalachieved by October 2020 (Aamir Muhammad)
- FrameworkZDHC Gateway and MRSL
- Chemistrybluesign® approved or OEKO-TEX® certified
- Treatmenteffluent treatment plant plus RO tertiary treatment
- FY2026chemical use down 14% (normalised to production)
Responsible chemistry protects workers, communities and water, and gives Azgard9's brand partners denim they can trust.
