World’s first plant-based structural color ink for fashion launched by Sparxell and Positive Materials
In a landmark innovation for the fashion and textile industries, Sparxell, a Cambridge-based color platform technology company founded by University of Cambridge scientists Dr. Benjamin Droguet and Professor Silvia Vignolini, has officially launched the world’s first commercially available plant-based, bioinspired structural colour ink. This groundbreaking development was made possible through a strategic partnership with Positive Materials.
This launch marks a major breakthrough in sustainable color technology, offering fashion brands a biodegradable, non-toxic alternative to conventional dyes, synthetic plastics, and heavy-metal pigments. Derived entirely from plants and engineered at the microscale, Sparxell’s structural color ink mimics nature’s own vibrant hues, such as those seen in Morpho butterfly wings, using plant-based cellulose to reflect light and create stunning color without harmful chemicals.
A World-First Innovation for the Fashion Industry
Sparxell’s textile ink is available from end of June 2025, debuting in the brand’s signature blue shade in both matte and shimmer finishes. It represents the first time that a structural color ink based on plant-derived cellulose has been made accessible to fashion brands via standard purchasing channels eliminating the need for bespoke development projects and enabling broad industry adoption.
From emerging designers to global luxury houses and mass-market labels, brands now have access to revolutionary sustainable colorants that combine vibrancy, durability, and environmental responsibility.
A Scalable, Sustainable Solution
The launch is backed by Sparxell’s collaboration with Positive Materials, a leader in textile innovation. Positive Materials brings vital manufacturing expertise and operational infrastructure to scale Sparxell’s prototype into full production while upholding rigorous sustainability standards.
The partnership rollout includes the introduction of an all-over printed cotton jersey featuring Sparxell’s technology, which will be available across European markets starting September 2025.
Further color variants are already in development, with multiple shades slated for release throughout 2025, enabled by Sparxell’s bioinspired color platform capable of generating virtually unlimited color variations through light manipulation not chemicals.
Transforming the Colour of Fashion
Dr. Benjamin Droguet, Founder and CEO of Sparxell, emphasized the transformative potential of the innovation:
This textile ink launch transforms how brands can access our breakthrough technology. For too long, the textile industry had no choice other than to accept that vibrant colors meant environmental damage. Sparxell’s bio-inspired technology shatters that assumption, delivering exceptional results from plant-based cellulose.
This is just the beginning – our vision is to make bio-inspired color technology the new standard across fashion, proving that high performance and working in harmony with nature are perfectly aligned.
Dr. Benjamin Droguet, Founder and CEO of Sparxell
Echoing this, Elsa Parente, Co-CEO and CTO of Positive Materials, added:
Rather than requiring custom development projects, fashion designers and procurement teams can now order the most sustainable colorant options out there as easily as conventional alternatives, but with the added benefit of containing 100% biodegradable pigments that are free from toxic chemicals.
Our collaboration with Sparxell represents exactly the kind of innovation the textile industry needs, aligning perfectly with our mission to create low-impact textiles that don’t compromise on performance.
Elsa Parente, Co-CEO and CTO of Positive Materials
Addressing Urgent Environmental Challenges
The launch of Sparxell’s plant-based structural color ink comes at a time when the global textile industry faces intense scrutiny. Current practices rely on over 10,000 chemicals in dyeing and finishing, releasing 1.5 million tonnes of toxic dyes annually and contributing up to 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Sparxell’s biodegradable, non-toxic pigment technology not only eliminates the need for toxic dyes, petroleum-based plastics, and mined minerals, but also significantly reduces water usage and energy consumption, offering a compelling eco-friendly alternative for a cleaner, more sustainable future in fashion.
This revolutionary launch follows Sparxell’s recent milestones, including a €1.9 million grant from the European Innovation Council and selection for LVMH’s La Maison des Startups accelerator programme, reinforcing its position as a leader in next-generation color solutions.
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