London-based startup SAGES, which develops sustainable dye alternatives, has secured £190,000 from the British Design Fund to fast-track the commercialisation of its food-waste-based colour technology.
- Established in 2022 by Emily Taylor and Alice Simpson, SAGES develops sustainable alternatives to synthetic dyes. The company creates biodegradable, water-soluble dyes derived from food waste, including red and yellow onion skins, coffee, blueberries, red cabbage, and avocado.
- These dyes are designed to meet industry standards for UV and wash fastness and can be applied across cellulose and protein fibres.
- SAGES’ process replaces toxic petroleum- and coal-tar-based dyes with bio-based formulations that integrate into existing industrial dyeing systems. The dyes are soluble, versatile, and compatible with a wide range of applications, offering a high-performance, environmentally responsible alternative to conventional synthetic dyes.
“Alice and I worked in the industry for a combined 15 years before founding SAGES and witnessed both the damage synthetic dyes cause and the lack of easily adoptable solutions. The more we researched, the more passionate we became about finding a solution that was sustainable and could also meet the performance requirements of industry," claims Emily Taylor, CEO of SAGES.
- The company also operates pilot-scale production and collaborates with manufacturers and designers to bring its sustainable dyes into fashion, interior, and industrial textile applications.
Details of the deal
- The grant came from the British Design Fund, a government-backed initiative that supports innovative UK-based design and technology companies.
“SAGES is tackling a critical environmental challenge with a solution that’s both scientifically rigorous and commercially viable. The founding team brings deep expertise and a clear vision for scale, and we’re pleased to support their journey as they develop sustainable alternatives for industries in need of change," claims Damon Bonser, CEO of British Design Fund.
- The grant will enable SAGES to accelerate the commercialisation of its sustainable dyes by supporting product development, scaling pilot production, expanding its colour palette, and strengthening strategic partnerships with manufacturers and designers across fashion, interiors, and industrial textiles, helping integrate its biodegradable, high-performance dyes into existing supply chains.
