Colorifix

Colorifix is a British startup that develops sustainable dyeing solutions using its proprietary technology that utilizes natural pigments from bacteria to dye fabrics. It develops pigments using genetic DNA information it has researched from a variety of sources, such as plants, dragonflies, and gorillas. Colorifix's technology then inserts such genetic information into bacterial cells that replicate every 25 minutes. These bacteria are then fed with sugar molasses and nitrogen, which are by-products of the agricultural industry, and placed in a fermenting machine, where they multiply and produce pigment. The fermented microbes produce the desired pigment, which is then applied to the fabric using conventional dyeing techniques.

According to the company, its sustainable approach to textile dyeing eliminates the need for harmful chemicals, making the process much more eco-friendly, using 90% less water and up to 40% less energy than the conventional dyeing process. In comparison to the average dyeing process, which can require up to five washes and high temperatures for over five consecutive hours, Colorifix only requires one wash and a three-hour process.

Key customers and partnerships

Having established partnerships with leading textile companies and brands, such as H&M, Pangaia, and Albini Group , the company was preparing for a significant commercial scale-up in 2023. In November 2023 , the company announced plans to expand to India and Sri Lanka in 1H2024 ahead of a wider expansion to China and Southeast Asia slated for 2025.

Funding and financials

In May 2022, the company raised GBP 18 million (~USD 22.5 million) in funding in its Series B funding round led by H&M Group.