Project description
Dyeing for a sustainable future
Cotton, vital for textiles, poses environmental challenges. Traditional dyeing methods generate waste and deplete resources. With this in mind, the ERC-funded HYDROCOLTON project aims to revolutionise cotton dyeing by embedding colour directly into cotton fibres. This innovative hydroponic approach slashes chemical waste and water usage by up to 90 %. HYDROCOLTON pioneers a zero-chemical-waste dyeing process, meeting eco-standards and consumer demands. The project targets diverse molecules to navigate biological barriers, aiming for commercial viability in the cotton value chain. With constant engagement from market stakeholders, HYDROCOLTON strives to transform the fashion industry with sustainable, vibrant textiles.
Objective
Cotton is the world's most important non-food crop, accounting for 35% of global fiber production, but it is environmentally demanding and resource-intensive. Its production, especially the dyeing process, pollutes and depletes water and soil resources. The current strategies for cotton dyeing still rely on old manufacturing processes that yield large quantities of chemical and water waste. Thus, it is urgent to seek sustainable alternatives to meet acceptable environmental and social standards.
This Proof of Concept (PoC) project aims to prepare the commercialization of novel molecules able to modify cotton fibers in planta for textile applications, providing them with color. This innovative approach minimizes chemical waste associated with dyeing, plus achieving up to a 90% reduction in water usage through hydroponic cotton growth. By growing cotton fibers with built-in colors in hydroponic settings, we seek to pioneer a zero-chemical-waste dyeing process while significantly reducing water consumption. Our innovation addresses the fashion industry's need for distinctive, eco-friendly textile products, presenting exciting opportunities to meet the growing consumer demand for more sustainable products.
For this endeavor, our objective is to craft a diverse set of molecules strategically designed to navigate and surpass inherent biochemical barriers. Moving forward, we will seek to demonstrate the efficacy of these novel molecules on cotton plants. Simultaneously, we aim to evaluate the commercial viability and potential market of HYDROCOLTON's groundbreaking innovation within the cotton value chain. We will validate our business model and commercialization plans with the constant engagement of relevant market stakeholders.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering fibers
- engineering and technology materials engineering colors
- engineering and technology materials engineering synthetic dyes
- engineering and technology materials engineering textiles
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1099 085 Lisboa
Portugal
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.