A Life Cycle Assessment of Resource Use and Environmental Impacts in the Albanian Denim Garment Industry

Abstract

The textile and clothing industry is among the most resource-intensive sectors, consuming significant amounts of water, energy, and chemical products, particularly in denim production. This study analyses resource use and explores environmentally sustainable alternatives through a case study of a denim manufacturing company in Albania. The company operates under the Cut-Make-Trim (CMT) production model. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, was conducted using a denim sample as the functional unit. Data were collected across key production stages, including cutting, assembly, industrial washing, dyeing, bleaching, ironing, packaging, and waste management. The results indicate that the washing process is the most resource-intensive stage, with a single pair of jeans requiring approximately 70 litres of water, contributing significantly to water pollution due to chemical discharge. Given a daily production of 2,500 pairs, monthly water consumption ranges between 2.75 and 3.8 million litres, depending on the product model. To reduce environmental impact, sustainable alternatives such as ozone washing, wastewater treatment and recycling systems, and the use of energy-efficient servomotors are recommended.