Introduction to Sustainable Textile Dyeing
The Prince of Wales and actress Cate Blanchett visited a laboratory in Norwich, Norfolk, to learn about a sustainable textile dye company called Colorifix. This company uses DNA sequencing to create natural, sustainable dyes, reducing water and harmful chemical usage in the fashion industry.
The Impact of Colorifix
Colorifix was a finalist for the Earthshot Prize in 2023, an award launched by Prince William in 2020 to recognize innovative solutions to environmental challenges. Jim Ajioka, the company’s co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, expressed his gratitude for the nomination, stating that it made a significant difference and allowed the prince to visit their website and see their work firsthand.
The Founding of Colorifix
The company was founded after Mr. Ajioka and Orr Yarkoni witnessed the devastating effects of the textile coloring industry on the environment and people’s lives during visits to Nepal and Bangladesh. Colorifix finds colors in nature, "borrows the information" on how they are made, and inserts this code into microbes, which then convert it into pigment or dye.
The Visit
During the visit, Prince William and Cate Blanchett observed DNA gel under a microscope and were shown diagrams analyzing the effectiveness of the pigments. Blanchett joked, "What if it explodes?" before examining the sample. The prince also showed diagrams, saying he knew what they meant. The couple was also shown the fermentation process, which generates dye in small amounts before scaling up.
The Fermentation Process
David Clarke, the head of fermentation at Colorifix, explained that the process is similar to brewing. He said that people often find scientific devices and processes interesting, and the basis of what they do is simple, making it easy for people to understand and engage with.
The Earthshot Prize
The Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William, awards £1 million to five winners who offer the best solutions to some of the world’s largest climate challenges. This year’s ceremony will take place in Brazil in November. The prince congratulated the employees on their "fantastic" work and apologized for any "stupid questions" he may have asked, saying, "It’s going really well and it’s really exciting."
