What is Refine™?

Introducing Refine™

In March of 2024 the ChicoBag company launched their Refine™ line, products created with a revolutionary minimal-water alternative to traditional dyeing methods. This process delivers vibrant colours without wasting precious resources. With Refine, ChicoBag is proud to offer a low-impact solution to evolve the textile industry, which has historically contributed to pollution and waste. Whether you're a conscious consumer or a brand looking to improve your eco-footprint, Refine is a game-changing solution making conscious consumerism easier than ever.

The Problem with Dyes

Dyes are responsible for making our world a more vibrant place. However conventional dyeing processes often involve the use of toxic chemicals, large amounts of water, and energy-intensive procedures. These practices across industries add up. They contribute to water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and depletion of natural resources.

The Impact of Refine™

ChicoBag’s new Refine dyeing process will be used in their core textiles, including their recycled rePETe fabric (made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles), webbing, straps, and buckles.

This innovative process involves shredding and melting 100% post-consumer PET water bottles to create recycled polyester yarns and fabrics.

The big change? Unlike “wet processing,” solution dyeing adds dry pigment to the melted plastic before spinning it into thread or yarn. The pigments become trapped in the molten upcycled plastic, which means there’s no need to dye the fabric separately after it’s formed. This efficient method streamlines the production process and reduces their products' overall environmental footprint.

rePETe + Refine colouring process uses:

89% less water
63% less CO2 emissions
60% less energy

This new generation of “for the planet” products, include: