Three companies have joined forces to develop sustainable textiles using an unexpected source: material derived from sewage sludge.
Bioforcetech, RDD and Virus Inks announced a collaboration to create circular, high-performance textile materials and garments. The partnership centers on OurCarbon, a carbon-negative material made from sewage sludge that will be integrated into textiles through a sustainable black screen-printing ink.
The companies aim to challenge conventional textile practices that rely heavily on fossil-derived materials. Instead, they’re demonstrating how waste streams can become high-performing, scalable solutions for the industry.
“Collaboration has to be at the heart of the great transition all of our industries must go through,” said Garrett Benisch, Chief Development Officer at Bioforcetech. “Infusing OurCarbon into Virus Inks’ formula to be applied to RDD’s textile technology shows what is possible when organizations work together.”
Virus Inks developed Rethink Black, a water and plant-based screen printing formula free of PVC, phthalates and volatile organic compounds. Most screen printing inks rely on plastisol and solvents that emit VOCs and introduce PVC polymers into clothing. The new formula allows printers to apply layers without drying between colors, saving time and energy.
When tinted with OurCarbon, the ink avoids carbon black, the standard pigment derived from fossil fuels. The product is certified for use even in babywear.
RDD tested the ink against industry standards and found it matched or exceeded durability benchmarks while delivering deep color and quality texture.
Bioforcetech’s process uses a proprietary bacterial drying method and zero-oxygen heated conversion to transform sewage sludge into OurCarbon at net zero thermal energy demand. The system fixes carbon in place rather than burning it, eliminating contaminants including PFAS while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The collaboration offers brands a complete package of sustainable textiles, bio-based ink and circular materials.
The post Bioforcetech, RDD and Virus Inks team up on sustainable textiles appeared first on World Bio Market Insights.
- Source: https://worldbiomarketinsights.com/bioforcetech-rdd-and-virus-inks-team-up-on-sustainable-textiles/
