Avalo, an AI-driven agricultural technology company, has entered into a multi-year partnership with global denim manufacturer Advance Denim to introduce low-footprint cotton into the apparel supply chain, in a move aimed at sharply reducing water use and carbon emissions in denim production.
Announced on July 20, 2026, the collaboration combines Avalo’s next-generation cotton varieties with Advance Denim’s water-efficient manufacturing technologies to deliver more sustainable denim products to major international retailers.
The partnership integrates two complementary approaches to sustainability—innovation in raw material development and efficiency in textile processing. Advance Denim has been a pioneer in reducing water consumption during manufacturing, particularly through its proprietary BigBox Dyeing technology, which cuts water use in indigo dyeing by up to 95%.
Avalo, on the other hand, leverages AI-powered genomic selection and computational breeding to develop non-GMO cotton varieties that require significantly fewer resources. A recent third-party life cycle assessment found that Avalo’s cotton requires zero irrigation, achieving a 100% reduction in water usage compared to conventional cotton. It also uses 75% less fertilizer and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 47%.
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The companies said the initiative directly addresses Scope 3 emissions across the value chain by tailoring crop genetics to environmental conditions, thereby reducing the carbon footprint at the source rather than relying on offsets or certification-based mitigation.
Under the agreement, Advance Denim will serve as Avalo’s founding mill partner for denim production across China, Vietnam and Cambodia, gaining exclusive access to Avalo cotton as the material scales commercially. The cotton will be processed through Advance Denim’s integrated manufacturing operations and supplied to leading global fashion brands.
All cotton produced under the partnership will be certified through the US Cotton Trust Protocol regenerative program and will be fully traceable via Textile Genesis, providing brands with verified data to support sustainability claims.
Amy Wang, General Manager of Advance Denim, said the collaboration reinforces the company’s commitment to combining performance with sustainability. She highlighted Avalo’s water-saving capabilities and regenerative practices as key factors behind the partnership.
Tricia Carey, Chief Commercial Officer at Avalo, said the agreement signals growing industry adoption of low-impact raw materials. She noted that endorsement by a major global mill could accelerate broader transformation across the textile sector.
Advance Denim, founded in 1987, operates manufacturing facilities in China and Vietnam and supplies denim to leading international brands. Avalo, headquartered in the United States, focuses on developing climate-resilient crops using artificial intelligence, with its cotton currently grown in the Texas High Plains without irrigation.
The partnership reflects a broader shift in the global apparel industry toward embedding sustainability across the entire value chain—from fiber cultivation to finished garments—as brands face increasing regulatory pressure and evolving consumer expectations.