Living Ink’s Algae Black, the sustainable, carbon-negative pigment derived from algae waste, is out to revolutionize the fashion industry.
Synthetic dyes and inks are rampant in the fashion industry — and so is their environmental footprint. Fabric dyes and treatments are responsible for 20 percent of industrial water pollution across the globe, with an estimated 10,000 dyes used industrially. In addition, 8,000 synthetic chemicals are employed to bleach, treat, and brighten clothing. Azo dyes, which make up 60 to 70 percent of all industrial dyes, are classified as carcinogens.
Textile mills are notoriously resource-intensive, using up to 200 tons of water to dye a single ton of fabric, yielding only about 1,400 garments. The dyeing process often results in the loss of 10 to 50 percent of colorants, depending on the chemicals used. This wastewater, classified as the most polluting of all industrial sectors, is laden with hazardous toxic waste, including dyes, organic chemicals, and finishing salts.
The effluent from textile mills not only discolors water but also prevents sunlight from penetrating aquatic ecosystems, disrupting photosynthesis and promoting invasive algae growth. Chemicals like phthalates and NPEs, used widely in textile processing, are known endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormonal systems. Synthetic dyes further compound these issues, contributing to long-term environmental and health risks.
Living Ink wants to change all of that with Algae Black, a groundbreaking pigment derived from algae waste. This carbon-negative pigment offers a sustainable solution to the environmental issues posed by conventional dyes. Unlike traditional carbon black, which is produced from fossil fuels, Algae Black is made from renewable algae biomass, repurposing waste algae cells in the process. The result is a pigment that not only reduces reliance on petroleum-based products but also sequesters carbon dioxide during its production, effectively mitigating climate change.
“When I was in graduate school, I had a huge realization while flying into the San Francisco airport. I saw algal blooms in the ponds below, displaying a variety of red and brown colors. This was my aha moment. I wondered: ‘Can we harvest the colorants in these microorganisms and use them in the world?’ That’s the moment that started the path I’m on now with Living Ink,” Scott Fulbright, Founder and CEO of Living Ink told Sage Shelton of the Substack Material Factors last year.
The versatility of Algae Black has captured the attention of numerous industries. Its applications span from textiles and printing inks to plastics, rubbers, and cosmetics. A prominent example of its adoption is in Stella McCartney’s Spring 2024 collection, where the pigment was featured on the ‘Slippery When Wet’ t-shirt dress, a nod to an archival look from her first runway show. McCartney’s collaboration with Living Ink continues into the label’s Summer 2025 collection, further cementing the pigment’s place as a safer, climate-smart color solution for the fashion industry. The brand’s commitment to innovation was highlighted in a statement from Living Ink, which praised “trailblazing teams like Stella McCartney’s that champion non-toxic, renewable materials and generously share their innovative insights with the industry.”
Nike has also incorporated the pigment, adding it to its ISPA footwear line, showcasing its potential in performance products. The U.K.-based beauty brand Unseen has also partnered with Living Ink to launch mascara and eyeliner products featuring Algae Black, demonstrating its versatility in cosmetics.
The science behind Algae Black is as impressive as its applications. The production process involves cultivating algae, which naturally absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows. Once harvested, the algae cells are processed to extract the pigment, leaving behind a product that is not only carbon-negative but also biodegradable and non-toxic. This innovation aligns with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition away from fossil fuel-based materials.
Traditional carbon black pigments have long been a cornerstone of the dye and ink industries, but their environmental costs are staggering. Petrochemical-derived pigments are non-renewable and depend on finite resources. Algae Black’s ability to sequester carbon during its production process directly counters this environmental harm, offering a renewable and sustainable alternative.
“Every kilogram of Algae Black pigment we produce keeps approximately 3 kilograms of petroleum from being used,” Living Ink Director of Partnerships Devon Murrie, said in a statement. “Additionally, because our pigment is carbon negative, using 1 kilogram of Algae Black can remove 4 kilograms of carbon dioxide.” Acording to a life-cycle analysis conducted by Sustainability Science and Colorado State University in 2023, producing the Algae Black pigment is carbon-negative, reducing CO2 emissions by 200 percent compared to conventional carbon black pigment.
Fulbright sees a future that expands production in an even more sustainable way. Currently, Living Ink sources from an algae farm in Southern California. “We take their waste byproduct and bring it to Denver for processing” But, he says, as the company scales up, it plans to co-locate with biomass producers because shipping biomass is expensive. The plan is to build 30-60 smaller plants to source locally. “I envision a decentralized business, where our production centers are co-located with large sources of biomass,” he says. “That’s the most sustainable thing we can do.”
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