If you make or buy washed denim, you’ve probably heard the term “EIM score.” It sounds technical. It doesn’t have to be. We’ll explain it in plain words, show what the score measures, and present a real, practical example: HMS (Hand Made Stone).
Why Should You Care?
Imagine two washes that look the same. One uses a ton of water and hard chemicals. The other gives the same look but uses less water and gentler chemistry. Which one would you pick if you knew the difference? The EIM score tells you this difference in one number. It helps buyers, mills, and brands compare washes quickly.
What is the EIM Score?
EIM stands for Environmental Impact Measurement. It is a tool that measures how much a finishing recipe affects people and the planet. EIM looks at the washing and finishing steps. Then it gives a score so you can compare recipes.
What Does the EIM Score Measure?
EIM breaks the impact into four clear parts. Think of them as four pillars.
- Water: How much water the recipe uses. This counts rinses and soak time.
- Energy: How much power you use. Drying and heating add up.
- Chemicals: The type and amount of chemicals. Toxicity and persistence matter.
- Worker impact: The risks to people doing the finish. Dust, fumes, and unsafe steps are included.
EIM scores each pillar. Then it averages them to make the final EIM score. That final number is easy to read. It tells you whether a recipe is low, medium, or high impact.
Reading the EIM Score
EIM commonly uses three bands:
- Low impact (green): This usually means 0–33 on the EIM scale.
- Medium impact (amber): Often shown as 34–66.
- High impact (red): Usually 67–100.
If a wash is green, it’s simple to explain to buyers. If it’s red, you know which pillars need work. These bands make the score easy to act on.
Why Do Brands and Mills Use the EIM Score?
The score is useful for three practical reasons:
- Quick Comparison: One number beats long spreadsheets in a meeting.
- Actionable Detail: The four pillars tell you where to fix things. Is it water? Is it chemicals?
- Buyer Confidence: Retailers and brands can set targets and check progress.
EIM is a measurement tool. It is not a certification. It helps mills and brands improve and show results with data.
A Real Example: Baytech-HMS (Hand Made Stone) & Its Green EIM Score
Baytech-HMS provides an eco-friendly stone washing solution, that is, Hand Made Stone (HMS) — it replaces traditional pumice. HMS is made from recycled pumice dust and biodegradable binders. This makes stone washing cleaner and easier on water and wastewater.
Here are the EIM-relevant points of HMS:
- Green EIM Score: HMS is listed in Jeanologia’s green EIM range, while pumice sits in the higher impact range.
- Lower Water Use: HMS does not soak up water the way pumice does. HMS reports around 20% less water per load.
- Less Residue & No Extra Rinsing: HMS leaves far less dust. That can mean fewer rinse cycles and less sludge in wastewater.
- Effective in Cold Water: HMS materials can be effective in colder washes, which can cut energy for heating.
Those four points add up. Swap pumice for a low-impact abrasive like HMS, and you can often lower the water and chemical pillars of your EIM score. That said, always test in your mill. Results also depend on your machine, formula, and process.
Five Quick Steps to Lower Your EIM Score Today
You don’t need a big budget to start. Try these actions:
- Swap Abrasive: Test HMS or another low-impact stone versus your current pumice. Measure water and sludge.
- Cut Rinses: Track whether you can safely drop a rinse cycle. Each rinse adds water and energy.
- Use Enzymes: In many recipes, enzymes replace harsher chemicals and cut chemical impact.
- Lower Temperature: Cold washes save energy and, with the right chemistry, can still give good results.
- Measure Per Garment: Track liters of water and kWh per garment. Small wins add up.
Use EIM to compare “before” and “after”. The number will show which changes truly work.
A Short Checklist Before You Switch
- Do a small control run.
- Record water, energy, and chemical use.
- Check worker safety (dust and heavy work).
- Ask your buyer if they accept EIM reports.
- Save the data and repeat tests until stable.
Final Message
In the end, the EIM score helps us ask a simple question: can we make great denim without the heavy footprint? The answer, step by step, is yes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the EIM score?
The EIM score is a number that shows the environmental impact of a denim wash or finish. It looks at four things: water, energy, chemicals, and worker safety. A low score means low impact. A high score means more high impact.
2. What does the EIM approach mean?
The EIM approach is the way denim makers measure and improve their finishing processes. Instead of guessing, they track real data on water, energy, chemicals, and safety. Then they can change recipes and see if the score goes down. It’s a practical way to keep improving.
3. Is the EIM score a certification?
No, EIM is not a certification. It is a measurement tool. It gives you a score, but it doesn’t give you a label like “organic” or “fair trade.” Brands use it to check their own processes and share results with buyers.
4. How can I improve my EIM score?
Start with small steps. Try using fewer rinse cycles. Swap harsh chemicals for enzymes. Test low-impact abrasives like HMS instead of pumice. Track your water and energy use. Each change can lower your score.
5. Why do buyers care about the EIM score?
Because it’s simple and clear. Buyers don’t have time to study every wash recipe. An EIM score tells them if a wash is low, medium, or high impact at a glance. It helps them make choices that match their brand’s sustainability goals.