Rethinking Colour!

The Importance of Rethinking

“I have always been curious about what things are made of—but curiosity alone isn’t enough. Now, the question is: What should things be made of?

Karin Fleck, Founder

When a product is successful, the temptation is to stick to what works. Yet, this approach no longer serves us. The hidden costs—the impacts on our planet—are becoming harder to ignore. As the effects of environmental harm surface, it’s time to reconsider the materials we use, the resources we consume, and the waste we create. Every choice leaves a mark, and our challenge now is to make choices that sustain, not compromise our future.

We love bacteria and so will you

Microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, protists and archea. They can be found in soil, aquatic environments, the air and on or in other life forms.

There are 100 million times as many bacteria in the oceans (13 × 10²⁸) as stars in the known universe.

Moving onto dry land, the number of microorganisms in a teaspoon of soil (1 × 10⁹) is the same as the number of humans currently living in Africa.

Biobased Dyes and Pigments: Elevate Your Brand with Sustainable Colour

Biotechnology allows us to achieve outcomes that traditional chemistry cannot, specifically by using microorganisms as “living factories” to create color. Through fermentation processes, these organisms can be cultivated in controlled environments to yield vibrant and stable pigments. This microbial approach is inherently resource-efficient: it requires less water, energy, and land than conventional dye production and reduces reliance on toxic chemicals and heavy metals.

• Superior Environmental Impact
  Unlike traditional dye production, which is resource-intensive and relies on toxic chemicals, our microbial dyes offer a low-footprint, clean, and responsible process. By using renewable substrates to feed our microorganisms, we can produce high-quality dyes without depleting natural resources. Check out our impact story! How we align with SDGs, European Regulations and the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry.

• High-Value Market Positioning
  With the global market for textile dyes projected to double by 2030, Vienna Textile Lab is positioned as a leader in biobased colouration. Our dyes’ inherent safety, performance, and environmental benefits enable us to tap into premium market segments, including high-end fashion, sustainable brands, and eco-certified products. This positioning allows us to capture a share of the market that prioritizes sustainability, quality, and innovation.

• Exclusive, Proprietary Microbial Technology
  Vienna Textile Lab’s dyes are derived from a proprietary collection of microorganisms, cultivated over 25 years to yield unique pigments that are not easily replicable. This exclusive microbial library allows us to offer distinctive colours and hues that set our clients apart in a crowded market.

• Resilient and Adaptable Production Process
  Biotech production is inherently adaptable; the microorganisms we cultivate can be scaled efficiently to meet shifting demand without the volatility of petrochemical supply chains. In addition, our reliance on fermentation—a process widely scalable and familiar to global industries—enables us to respond flexibly to industry demands, while keeping production costs competitive and consistent.
• Precision Cultivation
  Using cutting-edge biotechnological techniques, we can cultivate specific microorganisms that naturally produce desired pigments, targeting colour consistency and stability. This process not only minimizes environmental impact but also transforms renewable resources—like sugars and plant-based substrates—into sustainable dyes. The result is a closed-loop system that supports a circular economy, creating less waste and reducing emissions.

• Strategic Industry and Academic Partnerships and Recognition
  Our partnerships with leading academic institutions and global industry leaders keep Vienna Textile Lab at the cutting edge of microbial dye research. By actively contributing to advancements in sustainable textiles, we’re not only innovating but also shaping the industry’s future. This network of partners, combined with recognition through awards and accelerators, underscores our lab’s reputation as a credible, innovative force in the market.

Meet the Team

Core Team

Advisors and Mentors

Questions?

1. Why use bacteria and other microorganisms to produce coloured molecules? That is not so far-fetched. Many bacteria are coloured, which is compared to plant-based dyes and pigments. If we want to find alternatives to fossil-based materials we need to look at nature and microorganisms are already used to produce a range of compounds that we use daily. For example, some vitamins, antioxidants, food additives or medicines are manufactured in such a way.
2. Do all bacteria produce colour, and why do they do it? Most bacteria do not produce coloured compounds. The functions of these dyes vary from one species to another and are mainly involved in development, reproduction and protection against external stress. Some of these microorganisms have been known since the early times of microbiology, take a look at our blog and find out how they were discovered.
3. Are these dyes and pigments biological? Yes, they all originated in nature and remain unchanged.
4. Are the bacteria alive on the fabric? No, only the purified dyes and pigments are used to dye the textiles. We use the bacteria as little factories that produce the compounds we need.
5. Where do the bacteria come from? Bacteria occur in various places around you in nature, for example, they can be found in the air, soil or in water.
6. What are the advantages of using these colours? Because it’s a smart, environmentally friendly and resource-saving way to produce colour. No agricultural surface is needed, and no expensive commodities such as ores or crude oil are used. Bacteria can be stored in very small quantities and then multiplied anytime. Take a look at our findings regarding the impact of our materials.
7. What kind of materials can be dyed with this product? Natural textiles (originating from plants and animals), as well as synthetic textile fibres, have been successfully dyed with our pigments. Cotton, silk, wool, and polyester are some of the common known examples, but dyeing of novel materials has also shown to be successful.  Not only textiles can be dyed, but fibres and yarns as well.

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