A greener way to your little black dress

31 Dec '10

4 min read

"Because the molecular structure of the PLA is altered at this early stage - as opposed to the polymer being dyed later in a chemical wash - the colour is permanent."

The coloured polymers can be blended with other fibres into textiles and the colours show through, and because PLA occurs naturally, the fibres are biodegradable meaning the clothes can be composted when finished with.

According to Dr. McGowan: "DyeCat has a vision - to improve the performance, environmental impact and sustainability of coloration technology through technical innovation. We have other pieces of technology we are working on including one which allows us to dye materials that are thought of as 'undyeable' and making existing dyeing processes for things like hair dyes fair better."

DyeCat's technology could be used in textiles, clothing and automotive plastics, as well as military and biomedical applications.

DyeCat are a technology led company with a vision to improve to improve the performance, environmental impact and sustainability of coloration technology through technical innovation. Founded in 2006, DyeCat is a spin out company from the University of Leeds that has developed several technologies that address global issues in safety, sustainability and function in colouration products and processes, which also have wider application.

The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise showed the University of Leeds to be the UK's eighth biggest research powerhouse. The University is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities.

University of Leeds

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