SeaDyes, an Edinburgh-based company that specializes in marine-derived dyes, has partnered with the James Hutton Institute and received funding from Scottish Enterprise to increase production of its environmentally friendly fashion goods. SeaDyes will become a spin-in firm at the Institute, integrating the founder’s intellectual property with the Institute’s resources.
Founded by biotech pioneer and marine scientist Jessica Giannotti, SeaDyes creates non-toxic, natural dyes from seaweed that provide a sustainable substitute for conventional textile dyes. Because they contain carcinogenic, mutagenic, and poisonous substances that might linger as pollutants, these traditional dyes are frequently condemned for their detrimental effects on the environment. SeaDyes seeks to lessen these environmental problems and the dependency of the fashion and textile sectors on fossil fuels.
Giannotti was inspired to create SeaDyes after working at Crùbag, a business that produces ocean-themed scarves and is backed by the Scottish Association for Marine Science. She saw the promise of marine research for sustainable solutions and realized the need for natural textile dyes generated from the ocean. SeaDyes benefits from a spin-in partnership with the James Hutton Institute, which provides access to research facilities, professional expertise, and collaborative opportunities. SeaDyes has secured EUR 75,000 (USD 78,100) in finance from Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout Program, which will help company grow even further.
Commenting on the partnership, Jessica Giannotti said “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.
“The funding from Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout Programme is instrumental in focusing our effort, helping us accelerate our technology development and bring our products to market.”
Jonathan Snape, Head of James Hutton Limited, added: “James Hutton Limited is pleased to welcome SeaDyes as part of our spin-in initiative and is eager to collaborate on advancing sustainability in the textile and fashion industries. Together, we are committed to driving innovation in eco-friendly dye solutions and making a meaningful impact on a more sustainable future.” This partnership represents a significant step towards a more environmentally conscious fashion industry.
