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Sustainable Treatments in Denim Fabric: A Systematic Review of Environmental Impact

Abstract:

The denim production is among the most polluting processes in textiles due to its high consumption of water, energy, and chemicals. This study presents a Systematic Literature Review (PRISMA 2020) on sustainable treatments applied to denim, with emphasis on their environmental impacts, evaluation methodologies, and main implementation challenges. A total of 26 open-access articles published between 2020 and 2024 in Scopus and Web of Science, in English and Spanish, were analyzed. The most relevant treatments include enzymes, ozone, laser, nebulization, and recycled materials, which report reductions of up to 60% in water consumption, decreased use of chemicals, lower CO<inf>2</inf> emissions, and reduced solid waste generation, consolidating them as viable alternatives to conventional methods. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emerges as the main evaluation tool, although its application remains partial and inconsistent. The findings highlight the need to standardize methodologies and integrate economic, social, and regulatory dimensions in order to foster a sustainable transition aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.