Colorifix is revolutionizing fabric dyeing by using DNA from nature to teach microbes to create vibrant, sustainable colors, benefiting humanity by reducing pollution and water usage in the fashion industry.
UK-based company Colorifix is pioneering a fabric-dyeing process that mimics nature's colors. The company identifies the DNA code for a color found in nature and inserts it into bioengineered microbes. These microbes, fed with sugar and nitrogen, then produce large quantities of dye.
Founded by Orr Yarkoni and Jim Ajioka after witnessing the toxic effects of chemical dyes in Nepal, Colorifix aims to bring the fashion industry back to its roots. Before the 19th century, dyes came from natural sources, making colorful clothing a luxury. Colorifix uses 21st-century technology to unlock new, natural pigments.
Colorifix has patented its process of producing and fixing dye on fabric. This innovative approach allows dye houses to install Colorifix's bioreactors on-site. The company has operational capacity in Europe and South America, with plans to expand to South Asia.
Colorifix has partnered with brands like Pangaia and Vollebak. They are also extending their application to new materials like Spiber and Circulose. The company has successfully dyed greens and oranges, adding to their palette of Indigo, Blushing Rose, and Sunlit Sand.
Colorifix's natural dyes reduce chemical pollution by 80% and require fewer rinses. This saves significant amounts of water compared to synthetic dyes. By coloring clothes with natural dyes, Colorifix is helping to protect the environment.