NEW YORK CITY — August 24, 2022 — New York City- and Hong Kong-based TAU Investment Management LLC, today announced agreements for two simultaneous investments in highly sustainable, waterless textile dyeing. A special purpose vehicle formed and managed by TAU will acquire significant interests in both DyeCoo Textile Systems, B.V., and CleanDye Holding, B.V., as part of TAU’s strategy to invest in the sustainable, transparent and responsible supply chains of the future.
TAU joins other investors such as Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, together with Nike and Otto Group, along with customers including Decathlon, bonprix, Adidas and others.
Today, the dyeing and treatment of textiles is responsible for fully 20 percent of industrial water pollution globally. DyeCoo’s patented DyeOx technology allows for waterless and chemical-free textile dyeing, making it a valued partner to some of the world’s largest retailers and leading global manufacturers who are also committed to DyeCoo’s sustainable technology.
Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, CleanDye operates the world’s first textile dyeing facility purpose built in Vietnam exclusively to use DyeCoo’s waterless and chemical-free DyeOx technology. CleanDye’s dedicated use of DyeOx technology allows it to offer its customers fabrics dyed with no water, no process chemicals and no wastewater discharge produced in a hazard-free environment — all while realizing 50 percent energy savings and unmatched geographical freedom from water sources.
“This is a unique opportunity to support two organizations bringing a new facet of sustainability to the garment industry,” said TAU CEO Oliver Niedermaier. “We look forward to further application opportunities for the technology in other sectors, such as automotive and beverages.”
Ken Katz, TAU head of Asia investment, said, “In addition to the geographic flexibility and cost savings this technology provides, we’re significantly reducing the environmental footprint through this proprietary dyeing technology.” He also noted that the DyeOx technology is faster and results in better color density than traditional water dyeing methods.
“This technology saves money, reduces environmental impacts, allows for more geographical flexibility and results in better quality products,” Katz said. “That is a tremendous advantage.”
“We look forward to having Tau join as an investor, given the industry expertise, broad network and deep understanding of sustainable supply chains it brings,” said Christian Ehrenborg, senior investment manager, Ingka Investments. “Tau’s unique industry insights will provide a valuable perspective.”
Rien Jansen, bonprix Group Managing Director, said, “With Tau’s vision and commitment to sustainability, this new partnership demonstrates bonprix/Otto Group’s own commitment to help facilitate the transformation of the apparel industry to be more environmentally responsible and sustainable. We see scaling this type of sustainable manufacturing technology as critical to our organization’s mission and for the industry as a whole.”
As part of the agreement, TAU will join the boards of directors of both DyeCoo and CleanDye and will play an active role in contributing its responsible supply chain technology expertise and industry network. Terms of the investments were not disclosed.
Posted: August 24, 2022
Source: TAU
