When it comes to leisurewear, only a handful of brands are as prolific as Pangaia. Designing products with smart technology and recyclable elements, the company has introduced biology-based dyeing technology to its clothing for the first time.
Powered by Colorifix, Pangaia recently announced its latest collection, which includes two limited edition tracksuits dyed in blue and pink pigments. These pigments have noteworthy origin stories; one of which is produced by ancient bacteria in and around colorful geysers, and the other is found in silk production waste. The pigments inspired the limited-edition graphic tracksuit design.
Colorifix used a particular DNA sequence data to find the genetic code of each naturally occurring pigment. Through synthetic biology, the technology builds and inserts the DNA code into a microbe, which produces the pigment and transfers the required colour onto fabric. Colorifix turns natural pigments into colourful dyes using zero petrochemicals or hazardous substances, otherwise used for conventional dyeing, like in cotton products. It reduces water consumption by at least 49%, electricity by 35%, and CO2 emissions by 31%. The company thus aims to promote the use of climate-conscious materials, thereby demonstrating the power of manufacturing responsibly.
“Pangaia is committed to using the most advanced technologies which work to augment natural processes and Colorifix’s cutting edge approach manifests the true potential of biotechnology to bring positive change to the fashion industry. Harnessing the power of microorganisms to create natural dye is only the beginning of how bio fabrication can fundamentally transform manufacturing”, said Dr Amanda Parkes, Chief Innovation Officer of the company.
The company’s tagline – “Designing an Earth-positive future, together” pretty much sums up its ideals. The Pangaia Lab x Colorifix range will be the second capsule to emerge from the lab. This new platform particularly intends to focus on identifying and supporting groundbreaking innovations and technologies in the materials science industry with the goal of discovering and trailing lab-tested firsts.
