SLINTEC’s coconut husk natural dye to restyle textile industry

The Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) is set to revolutionise the textile industry with its latest breakthrough - a natural dye from coconut husks, with an estimated value of nearly US$50 million after commercialisation.

This innovative development comes on the heels of SLINTEC's successful creation of a natural dye from king coconut husks, known as Kingco.

Officials told the Business Times that currently the bulk testing on this latest natural coconut husk dye is being conducted for a textile firm.

The motivation behind SLINTEC's pursuit of natural dyes lies in the alarming waste generated by synthetic dyes in the textile industry, officials added. These synthetic dyes, made from petrochemicals, are categorised as hazardous waste, posing a significant environmental threat. Recognising the textile industry as one of the top three environmental polluters, SLINTEC aims to address this issue by backing the shift towards natural dyes.

In addition to environmental benefits, the use of natural dyes derived from coconut husks offers an added advantage in the ongoing fight against dengue. The natural dye developed by SLINTEC is non-toxic, biodegradable, and ecofriendly, making it a truly ecological alternative to synthetic dyes.

By opting for this revolutionary dye, textile manufacturers can drastically reduce water pollution by up to 20 per cent, officials said. Also, the process of extracting colourants from the husks and producing the dye powder itself is ecofriendly, further enhancing its appeal.

The impact of SLINTEC's natural dye from coconut husks is poised to reshape the industry and set new environmental standards.