© James Hutton Institute
SeaDyes, founded in 2023 by marine scientist Jessica Giannotti, is developing natural, seaweed-derived dyes as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which contribute significantly to global pollution.
Currently, textile dyeing and finishing accounts for 3 percent of global CO₂ emissions and is a major source of industrial wastewater pollution. By 2025 it has been estimated that this aspect of the textiles industry could account for 10 percent of global CO₂ emissions. Synthetic dyes, of which an estimated 140,000 tonnes leaks into the environment annually, can be toxic and carcinogenic. With its biobased colourants, SeaDyes aims to offer a an environmentally conscious alternative to synthetic dyes, reducing chemical waste and carbon emissions while supporting Scotland’s growing bioeconomy.
"The urgent need for alternatives and our unique position at the intersection of marine science, sustainable aquaculture and the fashion industry inspired us to explore sustainable material solutions from the ocean. Nature-based solutions like SeaDyes can support the detoxification of the fashion and textile industries and reduce their dependency on fossil fuels. In exchange, the fashion and textile industries can drive science-led innovation, blue growth and job creation," said Giannotti, in a press release.
By joining the James Hutton Institute, SeaDyes gains access to cutting-edge research and innovation resources, helping accelerate the development and commercialisation of its technology. The £75,000 funding will support scaling efforts, bringing market-ready products closer to reality and positioning SeaDyes as a leader in sustainable textile solutions.
"Becoming a spin-in at the James Hutton Institute is a transformative step for SeaDyes. We can now treat seaweed as a crop and our dyes as a natural product, and have the capacity, skills and space to refine our technology, develop a market-fit product and scale. Their research excellence and commitment to sustainability and innovation perfectly align with our vision of providing planet-friendly solutions. We have a bold shared vision for the future driven by creative science-led innovation," Giannotti concluded.
