Algae Pigments for ISPO Munich
I had the wonderful opportunity to display my bio-based pigments at the Circular Experience exhibition in the Sustainability Hub at ISPO Munich. After conducting a series of color tests with various kinds of seaweed, I presented 10 final silk and linen swatches and jars of the liquid dye. The expo highlighted sustainable innovators at artisan, lab and start-up scales, emphasizing the range of work being done to utilize algae as a resource for healthy, biodegradable dyes and materials. Explore the full Circular Experience exhibition by Studio Nima here!
Algae naturally produce a variety of pigments, such as chlorophyll (green), phycocyanin (blue), phycoerythrin (red), and carotenoids (brown), which can be harnessed for vibrant, natural dyes. Certain algae pigments also have functional properties, like UV protection and antioxidant qualities, which could enhance the textiles and products they color. Algae proliferate in a wide range of environments and naturally absorb COâ‚‚ during photosynthesis, helping to reduce atmospheric carbon. This contrasts with conventional pigment sources, which may require significant land, water, energy, and harmful chemical inputs.
Algae-dyed Textile Swatches
Swatches of linen and silk, pretreated with an alum mordant were subjected to different dye baths made from Porphyra ssp. (purple laver seaweed), Saccharina ochotensis (kombu kelp), Undaria pinnatifida (wakame kelp) Pyropia yezoensis (nori seaweed). Some were subsequently treated with iron to shift and darken the color.
