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 industry-standard benchmarks for UV and wash fastness.
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 help SAGES move 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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