Vegan melanin as a sustainable black dye for facial hair
Oxyco introduces a cost-effective, vegan melanin dye for facial hair, produced through bacterial fermentation. This innovative dye retains high biocompatibility, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical and animal-derived dyes.
Overview
Oxyco presents an innovative vegan melanin product designed to serve as a sustainable black dye for facial hair. Traditionally, melanin has been too costly for use as a hair dye due to its origins from chemical synthesis or animal extraction. Oxyco's solution involves producing melanin through bacterial fermentation, drastically reducing its cost by over 1000-fold while maintaining its natural biocompatibility. This approach not only makes melanin an economically viable option for hair dye but also aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainable and vegan-friendly products.
Technical specifications
Oxyco's melanin is produced via a safe and scalable bacterial fermentation process. The dye's formulation is enhanced by tuning the molecule's hydrophilicity through chemical or biological methylation of hydroxyl groups, solubility adaptation at various pH levels, and particle size adjustments. These modifications aim to deliver high-performance black and dark brown dyes suitable for facial hair applications. The product is available in sample quantities for internal testing and further development, with lead times of 2 to 6 weeks for larger orders.
Technology readiness level
The current technology readiness level is 4, indicating that this innovative melanin dye has been validated in a laboratory setting. Oxyco is actively testing specific physicochemical conditions to optimize the dye's performance and application as a facial hair dye. The company is also open to co-development partnerships and supplying materials for research and development purposes.
About Oxyco
Oxyco is a Barcelona-based biotechnology company that produces vegan, nature-identical biomelanin through a specialized biocatalysis process. By utilizing proprietary enzymes, the company creates a sustainable, soluble, and stable alternative to traditional melanin sources like sepia ink or bird feathers, which are often costly and difficult to scale. Their production method allows for customizable properties, positioning the ingredient for diverse applications across the personal care, food and beverage, and nanotechnology sectors.
This technology addresses significant market demand for ethically produced, cruelty-free, and high-performance color additives, antioxidants, and UV-blocking materials. Founded in 2022 as a joint venture between experts from Zymvol Biomodeling and Gecco Biotech, the company offers a way for industries to integrate functional bio-pigments into their products. Their biomelanin has been confirmed to share an identical structure with natural melanin, offering a stable and scalable solution for applications ranging from sea-friendly sunscreens to sustainable semi-conductors.
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