Sparxell, in collaboration with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and Pangaia, has announced the achievement of creating the world’s first fully biodegradable reflective pigment that is free from plastic and toxins. This groundbreaking initiative, known as The Elucent Project, successfully transitioned bio-based pigments from the laboratory phase to a state of industrial readiness.
Supported by Innovate UK, this 18-month partnership brought together three key players: Sparxell, the University of Cambridge spin-out advancing plant-based bioinspired color technology; Pangaia, a global leader in materials science focusing on innovative solutions for the fashion industry; and the MTC, one of the UK’s foremost independent research and technology organizations.
By leveraging Sparxell’s innovative cellulose-based color platform, Pangaia’s design application expertise, and the MTC’s capability to enhance processes for large-scale industry use, this initiative exemplifies how cross-disciplinary collaboration can mitigate environmental impact without sacrificing creativity or functionality.
Pangaia emphasizes its commitment to fostering next-generation material innovators by commercializing breakthroughs in material science that significantly enhance the environmental sustainability of fashion and design. This effort embodies collaborative practices that merge advanced science with practical applications.
The MTC played a crucial role in ensuring that the new biodegradable reflective pigment could be produced on a larger scale, constructing specialized production systems while validating their performance in an industrial context.
The completion of The Elucent Project under Innovate UK signifies a transformative advance in sustainable color solutions. This project illustrates the potential for fashion and technology to collaborate effectively in delivering circular and biodegradable alternatives to conventional synthetic pigments. The introduction of the biodegradable reflective pigment represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of eco-friendly materials in the fashion industry.