Textile Ink Launches

UK startup Sparxell, in partnership with textile firm Positive Materials, has unveiled the world’s first plant-based 'structural color' textile ink. Announced on June 26 in Cambridge, the revolutionary ink creates vibrant color without traditional dyes, plastics, or heavy metals. Instead, it uses biodegradable cellulose microparticles that mimic the wing scales of butterflies to produce a brilliant blue hue via light interference.

The initial release -- Sparxell’s signature blue in matte and shimmer finishes -- can be printed on fabrics using standard processes, giving fashion brands a drop-in sustainable alternative to toxic chemical dyes. By eliminating pollutants and petroleum-based ingredients, the ink dramatically reduces environmental impact while maintaining high color performance and wash durability. It will be commercially available through Positive Materials, with an all-over printed cotton jersey capsule collection slated for European markets by September 2025. This innovation is a major step toward 'dye-free' coloration in fashion, potentially transforming an industry notorious for water pollution and waste.