Antiviral, antibacterial and thermal regulator. – these are the characteristics of the new G+(r) enhanced fabric developed by Candiani and Directa Plus, know as GRAPHITO. GRAPHITO is made of both Directa Plus’ patented technology, Graphene Plus, which enhances the fabric with antimicrobial and thermal features, and of  Candiani Denim’s Kikotex polymer, which substitutes liquid plastic in fabric production processes.

This creates a fabric that gets less dirty in terms of bacteria and viruses and so requires fewer washing cycles, meaning less water and energy are consumed. “We carried out some studies in laboratories – says Simon Giuliani, Marketing Director of Candiani Denim – by comparing a G+(r) enhanced pair of jeans and a conventional one. We tested them for five days and exposed them to bacteria and viruses, measuring also the defense action of graphite”. “On average – explains Davide Cesareo, Sales Director of Directa Plus – in Europe a pair of denim trousers is washed two times and a half after its usage. This means that 823,87 litres of water, 76,5 kilowatt per hour and 13,96kg Co2 is expended on the garment’s life cycle. However, a pair of GRAPHITO jeans can be worn ten times before washing it, which means it is possible to save 75% water, 75% energy (15,3 kilowatt per hour) and 75% Co2”.

The partnership between the two companies is born also because of their territorial closeness; in fact, they’re both located in Lombardia.

Directa Plus was founded in 2005 and listed on the London Stock Exchange since 2016. It is one of the largest producers and suppliers of graphene nanoplatelets-based products for use in consumer and industrial markets worldwide.

A few kilometers away Candiani Denim can be found, a B2B company family-driven and founded in 1938 in Robecchetto con Induno (Milan). The firm is the main denim supply for different worldwide brands and kicked off the premium denim industry. “We’re about to promote this new technology in different firms – says Giuliani – and we’re trying to establish our product in the autumn-winter 2024 collections.