Micro.colours investigates the potential of using pigmented microorganisms to create sustainable dyes for textiles. 
In collaboration with TU Berlin Institut für Biotechnologie,
colour-fast fabric dyes and pigments have been developed,
which need very little water, low temperatures and no chemicals
in the process of making them. 

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Design techniques such as origami, shibori, monoprinting,
and painting were experimented onto fabric surfaces using
the microorganisms R.rubra, L.casei and M.luteus. They produce salmon pink, turquoise blue and bright yellow pigments. 
Using natural mono fibres, the fabrics can be upcycled
and recycled to extend their lifespan, and composted
at the product’s end of life.

 

1 litre of water can dye 4.6m² of fabric, and no chemicals,
mordents or textile treatments are used within our process.
Microbial dyes are a possible solution to the detrimental environmental impact of the current textile dyeing industry. 

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With more time, research and collaboration between design
and science, perhaps an alternative to current toxic dyeing
methods can be found. Extracting a large range of colours from microorganisms, and scaling up to an industrial context
will be the next steps of Micro.colours.

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