Following the addition of potassium permanganate to the ZDHC Foundation’s Chemical Watchlist, Jeanologia has renewed its call for the global denim industry to accelerate the complete phase-out of PP spray. The update reinforces long-standing concerns around one of the most hazardous chemicals still used in garment finishing.
Jeanologia has consistently warned about the risks associated with PP spray, particularly its impact on worker health, factory safety and the environment. Widely used to achieve localized vintage effects in denim, the process exposes operators to harmful chemical particles and continues to affect millions of workers worldwide despite growing awareness and available alternatives.
As early as 2015, Jeanologia eliminated the need for PP spray by introducing scalable laser-based finishing solutions. By combining laser technology with the Light Bright tool and G2 Ozone system, the company delivers authentic worn-in effects without chemical spraying. These technologies offer precise digital control, safer working conditions and proven industrial performance.
The transition away from PP spray is further supported by Jeanologia’s Environmental Impact Measuring (EIM) platform. Its Innovations and Challenges in Denim Finishing 2024 report identifies potassium permanganate as one of the remaining high-risk processes in garment finishing and underscores the urgency of adopting safer, low-impact alternatives such as laser technologies.
According to Jeanologia, eliminating PP spray is no longer a question of compliance but of responsibility. With fully scalable solutions already in place, the company urges brands, laundries and manufacturers to act decisively and adopt cleaner, safer methods. As ESG requirements and chemical management standards continue to tighten, early adoption of chemical-free finishing is emerging as a clear competitive advantage.
Jeanologia emphasises that banning PP spray is no longer an ambition for the future but an achievable industrial reality. The technology exists, the transition is viable and the time to act is now.
