The fashion world has gained a new dyeing method. Researchers from Delft University of Technology and the Dutch fashion label Hul le Kes have proven that it is possible to dye clothing with pigments from wastewater treatment residues.
According to the company, this is an innovative pigment from wastewater. The pigment is obtained from sewage sludge from water treatment plants. It is a melanin-like biopolymer. Melanin is known to have a number of functional properties; including UV protection, antioxidant activity, redox activity and metal chelation.
Melanin has long been used in the fashion industry, but is often derived from squid ink. “However, reliance on this source raises ethical concerns and limits availability due to the seasonal nature of squid fishing. Although chemical synthesis methods exist, studies have shown that synthetic melanin differs in structure and function from naturally derived melanin. The possibility of recovering melanin-like material from mud therefore offers a promising and more sustainable alternative,” the press release said.
The first pieces in collaboration with the fashion label Hul le Kes are a ‘proof of concept’. However, further testing and approval is required before the clothing can be released onto the market. However, this is an important step towards a new staining method.
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