One of the oldest traditional textile manufacturers in Ecuador, La Internacional S.A., is not only looking for the latest trends in denim fashion, but also looking for ways to become more competitive and grow in a sustainable way.

In order to achieve this goal, the San Antonio de Pichincha, Ecuador-based company has teamed up with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to boost investments on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

With technical and financial support from IDB through a $25 million syndicated loan, La Internacional will buy new turbines to expand electricity production by 44 percent at a small run-of-river hydropower plant located on the Guallyabamba River. It will also install new denim production lines and modernize its equipment and machinery.