Researchers at the University of Coimbra (UC) have launched DyeLoop – Circular Technologies for Textile Dyeing, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at making textile dyeing more cost-effective and sustainable. Funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation with €1.4 million, the project was officially presented on February 18.

DyeLoop introduces a circular economy approach by recycling dye bath effluents, drastically reducing water and energy consumption. “Instead of sending the wash water for treatment and disposal, DyeLoop reuses it within the process,” explained Jorge Pereira, project coordinator and professor at UC’s Faculty of Sciences and Technology.

Over the next three years, researchers will develop biotechnological solutions for sustainable textiles and implement an industrial prototype expected to cut dyeing costs by over 50%. The initiative aligns with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing UC’s commitment to environmental responsibility in the textile industry.