SAGES, a London-based start-up developing alternatives to synthetic dyes,
has received £190,000 from the British Design Fund to accelerate the
commercialisation of its food-waste-derived colour technology.
Founded by Emily Taylor and Alice Simpson, SAGES
aims to reduce reliance on petroleum- and coal-tar-based dyes in global supply
chains.
Synthetic dyes are estimated to account for
about 20 per cent of global wastewater and have been linked to environmental
impacts. SAGES develops water-soluble, biodegradable dyes designed to integrate
with existing dyeing processes.
The company’s patented formulations draw on
waste streams such as red and yellow onion skins, coffee, blueberry, red
cabbage and avocado. The dyes have been tested on cellulose and protein fibres,
meeting indusattempt-standard benchmarks for UV and wash quickness.
Recent collaborations include custom colour
development for Patrick McDowell’s London Fashion Week collection, surface
projects with James Burleigh, and fibre-dyeing trials with Bananatex and Story
Mfg.
The funding will support product development,
pilot-scale production and strategic partnerships across the fashion, interiors
and industrial textiles sectors. It will support SAGES shift from lab-scale
innovation to commercial deployment, with priorities including expanding its
dye palette, refining production systems and strengthening collaborations with
manufacturers and designers.
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