Algae textile dye pigment. Credit: European Science Communication Institute gGmbH
The dyes used in the clothing industry almost always come from fossil-fuel-based chemicals. In the long term, this will not be sustainable. In Sweden, scientists in the EU research project Locality are exploring whether algae can provide a more sustainable way to dye textiles.
Some algae materials are already used in textile fibers, says Anna Björkquist, a research engineer at the University of Borås. She and her team are now exploring ways to use pigments from algae to dye textiles.
They are working with others in the project to create a waste-free production process.
In Norway, other partners in the project are growing algae using only light, water and unneeded nutrients from a nearby fish farm.
