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Adding color to synthetic fabrics is a process that typically uses tremendous amounts of chemical inputs, energy, and water. And attempts to reuse synthetic fabric at the end of a product's lifespan can be hampered by the challenge of removing dyes from that fabric.
SwitchDye, a company spun out from research at the University of Leeds schools of Chemistry and Design, is making a new dye that requires less energy, fewer chemical inputs, and far less water. The technology uses carbonated water to help it more efficiently add color to the fabric, and the company says the same behavior will make it easier to remove color from the fabric when it's time to recycle. This could aid attempts to create a more circular textile industry.
SwitchDye is currently focused on polyester fabrics, though the technology has potential for use on other synthetics such as nylon, elastane, acrylic, and PLA.
Learn more:
"Research-based dye makes polyester greener" - University of Leeds
