Denim finishing scalable framework for circular water management
Published by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network
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Process based assessment of wastewater quality and rinse water reuse potential in denim finishing: a scalable framework for circular water management
Scientific Reports volume 16 , Article number: 14710 (2026) Cite this article
Abstract
Industrial textile production is a significant contributor to freshwater pollution, particularly in water-intensive processes such as denim finishing. This study presents a process-based assessment of wastewater quality and rinse-water reuse potential using a stage-specific Water Quality Index (WQI) framework. By analyzing effluents from six major denim finishing stages, critical pollution hotspots were identified, and the feasibility of cascading rinse-water recovery was evaluated. Results demonstrate that WQI values decreased significantly after rinsing, with reductions reaching up to approximately 70% depending on the process stage. Furthermore, the proposed stepwise reuse strategy has the potential to reduce freshwater consumption by nearly two-thirds while maintaining operational performance. Beyond a site-specific application, the proposed methodology offers a transferable framework for industrial water optimization and circular water management in textile facilities globally. The findings contribute to advancing sustainable industrial practices and support progress toward SDG 6 and SDG 12.
Tags
- Water Framework Directive
- Process
- Quality
- Water Quality
- water reuse - regulations and permitting
- Water and Wastewater