SBIR Phase II: Development of a novel indigo dye process using biosynthesized molecules

"This award is funded in whole or in part under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2). The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be an environmentally friendly method for dyeing textiles, providing a cleaner alternative to the toxic coloring agents that plague the $33B global dye market - starting with indigo dyes. Brands and mills are eager for a solution that does not require the industry to compromise between sustainability and performance. This project uses microbial processes to reduce the need for key harmful chemicals in the dye application process, thus minimizing the human and environmental damage caused by denim dyeing. The proposed project addresses the problem of hazardous conditions and toxic chemical usage in the indigo dye industry. Indigo remains the sole blue dye for denim because of its beautiful blue color and unique fading properties, which has not been successfully replicated by any other dye molecule. This project aims to improve upon an engineered microbial strain that produces an indigo dye precursor molecule via fermentation; this precursor is then purified into a drop-in indigo dye ready for denim mills to use. The objectives are to 1) engineer the microbe to produce less of a toxic byproduct, 2) adapt the strain to increase its tolerance of the final product, and 3) transition from an undefined, complex media composition to a fully defined, more inexpensive medium. This will lead to a more efficient and cost-effective process at scale. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria."