Bio-Engineered Dyeing Innovations for Sustainable Cotton Textiles

ongoing

The environmental and societal impact of fabric dyeing is a critical concern, with the textile industry ranking among the most chemically intensive and the second-largest polluter of clean water globally. Traditional dyeing methods consume large amounts of water and energy, release toxic chemicals, and contribute significantly to environmental degradation. Thus, there is an urgent need for sustainable dyeing innovations that reduce chemical usage and conserve water. In this ERC PoC, we aim to develop and implement a novel eco-friendly textile dyeing method that combines the design of genetically engineered colored proteins with a non-toxic, zero-waste innovative application methodology, eliminating toxic waste and pollution and significantly reducing water consumption. In this project, we aim to rationally design and express heat-resistant blue chromoproteins (i.e., aeBlue) from the coral Aquinia equina in a bacterial chassis (Escherichia coli). Then, we will demonstrate that they can be bound covalently to cotton fibers to dye the fibers similar to DENIM, using sugar cross-linkers with temperatures above 40 ºC. This biologically inspired protein-based dyeing approach for textiles can be further explored using other chromoproteins found in other organisms, offering a palette of natural colors and opening new avenues for a future sustainable alternative for fabric dyeing. This PoC builds on the findings of the ERC-CoG-funded project BIOMATFAB, which explored sugar uptake and transport in cotton fibers. In collaboration with European textile industry stakeholders, this PoC aims to explore and demonstrate the commercial feasibility of our dyeing methodology. We will aim to understand consumer needs, market segments, and competition to define a robust business model that ensures the long-term sustainability of our commercialization efforts. Our innovative project represents a significant step toward reducing the environmental footprint of the European textile industry.