Oxford Innovation Finance’s Angel Investment Network, OION, has invested in Sages, supporting the company’s mission to revolutionise colour through sustainable, bio-based dyes.
Sages have developed a patented process that transforms inedible food waste into high-performance, biodegradable dyes designed to replace polluting synthetic alternatives across textiles, inks, paints, packaging and other industrial applications.
Synthetic dyes are estimated to account for approximately 20% of global wastewater and are commonly derived from petroleum and coal tar using toxic, non-biodegradable chemicals. Sages’ innovation provides a scalable alternative that delivers synthetic-level performance while significantly reducing environmental impact.
Having been successfully integrated into a wide range of industrial dyeing processes, Sages can supply dyes directly to dye-houses and manufacturers. Using their technology, the CO2 emissions associated with dye production can be reduced by up to 90%.
Sages are currently working with manufacturers in the UK and Europe to rapidly scale production capacity, with longer-term plans to develop regional dye manufacturing hubs across Europe and major global textile markets. This latest investment will support Sages as it expands production capacity, grows its team and completes critical scale-up work to fulfil first customer orders and secure commercial partnerships.
Emily Taylor, Co-Founder & CEO at Sages, commented: “This investment marks an important milestone for Sages as we accelerate towards commercial deployment and bring sustainable colour solutions to market faster. We believe colour should not cost the earth, and our technology enables manufacturers to transition away from harmful synthetic dyes without compromising on performance or scalability.”
Growing regulatory pressure, including the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, alongside rising consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, is creating significant market opportunity for scalable sustainable dye technologies.
Richard Cooper, Managing Director at Oxford Innovation Finance, said: “Sages is tackling one of the textile industry’s most pressing environmental challenges with a highly scalable and commercially viable solution. The team has developed an impressive technology platform with strong market potential at a time when increasing regulation and consumer demand are accelerating the shift towards sustainable alternatives.”