Sustainability is the hottest trend in denim right now—and it’s what’s going to shape the future for the fabric.

That’s why designer denim brand DL1961 has teamed up with Lenzing to make its jeans as sustainable as they are stylish. DL1961 will tap into Lenzing’s Refibra™ branded lyocell fibers to create an innovative denim blend: one that uses raw materials from renewable wood and recycled cotton scraps, but still delivers on quality, feel and fit.

Apart from the renewable wood sources, Refibra™ fibers take cotton scraps that would have been left behind on the cutting room floor, making the fiber all the more sustainable since it’s using even less virgin resources and reducing denim’s environmental footprint.

“Denim apparel has a high impact on the environment and consumers are seeking alternatives with the environment in mind,” said Tricia Carey, director of global business development for denim at Lenzing. “Lenzing is offering a viable solution with Refibra™ branded lyocell fibers to provide innovation with reduced environmental impact.”

It’s not DL1961’s first foray with Lenzing—the company has been using TENCEL^® fibers in its denim since 2012, much to the appeal of consumers who increasingly crave performance and comfort. DL1961 is, however, among the first of Lenzing’s partners to use fabrics with Refibra™ fibers for its denim with a collection launching for Pre-Fall 2018 in their best-selling fits in a range of washes.

“It is our responsibility as a company and as leaders in the denim industry to make sure we are always in pursuit of better processes and materials that reduce our environmental footprint all while providing our customer with newer more technologically advanced denim season after season,” DL1961 CEO Maliha Ahmed, said. “Partners like Lenzing make our dream of creating the most efficient, high quality denim on earth a reality.”

The partnership between Lenzing and DL1961 for denim with Refibra™ is another step toward creating a circular economy at a time when resources are strained and companies and consumers alike are realizing that maintaining the status quo for apparel production simply isn’t sustainable.

“We are pleased to partner with such a premiere denim brand, DL1961 to bring Refibra™ fibers to denim consumers,” Carey said. “Denim is not just about fit and style, it is also about sustainability.”