H&M-backed startup puts bacteria to work in green dyeing process

Patchwork of different types of material dyed using bacteria in a lab at biotech firm Colorifix in Norwich, Britain. — Photos: Reuters

STOCKHOLM/NORWICH, Britain: A British biotech startup is developing a method of textile dyeing that taps into the bright colours of birds and butterflies and has micro-organisms recreate them on fabric, slashing the use of water and heavy chemicals in the process.

Based in the English city of Norwich, Colorifix has attracted backing from the venture capital arm of Swedish fashion giant H&M.