Prince of Wales and Cate Blanchett don lab coats to see eco brand at work
William and the actress visited labs in Norwich on Thursday where Colorifix, a biotechnology firm, creates its textile dyes.
Colorifix, which was a finalist in William's Earthshot Prize in 2023, has developed a biological process that replaces the use of harmful chemicals in textile dyes.
Since it was founded in 2016, the brand has partnered with fashion brands including H&M and Pangaia.
As William and Blanchett were taken through each step of the process to make the eco-friendly dyes, the Prince of Wales asked Sophie Vaud, the head of microbial engineering, to provide a 'layman's version' of the science.
After identifying a colour created naturally by an animal or plant, Colorifix's scientists sequence the DNA of that organism to find out where the colour is coded in its genetics.
That DNA code is then translated into a safe microbe which is then fermented to grow, creating a dye that can be used on natural and synthetic fabrics.
Dyes made chemically have a negative impact on the environment as they seep into rivers, harming wildlife. The process also uses a large amount of water.
The Prince of Wales and Blanchett, a council member of the Earthshot Prize, were invited to observe DNA gel under a microscope and were shown diagrams analysing the effectiveness of the pigments.
'What if it explodes?' Blanchett, joked before looking at the sample.
'I'm not going to pretend I know what that drawing means,' William told the experts when being shown diagrams.
The pair were then taken through the fermentation process which is where the dye is produced in a small version which can be scaled up.
David Clarke, head of fermentation at Colorifix, which is based in Norwich Research Park on the edge of the city, said their fermentation to produce the dyes is 'just like brewing'.
'We use a genetically-engineered bacteria to produce the substance – in this case colourants. In the brewing industry it's ethanol.
'Traditional dyeing is very, very polluting. This is completely innocuous.'
William and Blanchett were wowed by the range of colours produced when shown samples in the colouration lab, especially a bright teal.
In that lab, the dyes are sampled on a range of fabrics and then washed and tumble dried to test how they work and if there is any run off.
Rebecca Hiscock, a colouration technician, showed them some of the samples.
'It's like Blue Peter – here's one I made earlier,' William said.
Meeting the rest of the Colorifix team, the Prince of Wales said: 'Sorry for all the stupid questions you'll hear about later.'
He complimented the staff for their 'fantastic' work since Colorifix got to the final of the Earthshot Prize two years ago.
The Prince of Wales is founder and president of the global environmental award and Blanchett helps pick the winners.
'It's going really well, and it's really exciting,' he said, while Blanchett told them their work was 'really inspiring'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
a minute ago
- The Sun
Rob Beckett reveals he was ‘frogmarched' out of huge music legend's 82nd birthday party after embarrassing blunder
COMEDIAN and Celebs Go Dating narrator Rob Beckett has revealed he was 'escorted' from a music superstar's birthday party. Rob found himself being "frogmarched" out of icon Mick Jagger 's 82nd birthday party after managing to get himself into the exclusive showbiz event. 4 4 The TV star revealed he was invited along as Jimmy Carr 's plus one following a night of heavy boozing at one of Oasis ' reunion gigs at Wembley Stadium. The event took place at the swanky Chelsea nightclub The Rex Rooms and saw Rob partying alongside stars including Ronnie Wood. Before things took a turn, Rob found himself loving the night as he opened up on the once-in-a-lifetime moment on the Parenting Hall podcast. He confessed: "It was a tiny little back room and Mick Jagger was there. "Obviously, a lot of his ex-wives and children from his ex-wives. There was Mariella Frostrup. Someone Guinness (Lulu), this sort of like fashion lady. She looked like Lady Gaga. Sacha Baron Cohen. Ronnie Wood. "It was really nice. They were really chatty and hospitable. The music was quite loud. "I said hello to Mick Jagger. I didn't properly chat to him because there was another separate room that had him in it with Sacha Baron Cohen." However, Rob soon revealed that he decided to leave the party of his own accord after having been downing alcohol for hours including a mixture of beer, wine and vodka. He continued: "I was chatting to Ronnie Wood and his wife, Sally, who are lovely. 'Then I was like, I'm too p***ed to be here. I was so p***ed. Rob Beckett goes back on tour with brand-new show Giraffe "I've had six pints of lager, two espresso martinis, and I'd say a bottle and a half of rose, and just been to the best gig of my life. "And I'm stood wearing a Stone Island anorak with a vodka and soda after being on a motorbike chatting to Ronnie Wood and Sally Wood and Jimmy Carr. "And I'm just talking absolute s****." Clearly concerned by his state, Rob later revealed that it took a total of four security guards to march him out of the club. He said: "I got like frog marched out by four people that were like holding on to me." Rob then added: "Maybe I got kicked out. I don't know! "They're walking me out, like they're extracting me, like I'm a Rolling Stone and there's like 10,000 people trying to grab me." 4
BBC News
a minute ago
- BBC News
Ellie Goldstein is the ninth celebrity contestant announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2025
Ellie Goldstein is the ninth celebrity joining the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its new series this September. Ellie is a trailblazing model, actor and influencer, who in 2023 made history as the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue. Her modelling career has also seen Ellie appear on the covers of Glamour, Elle, Mission Mag and Euphoria magazines, and she has featured in huge campaigns for brands such as Gucci Beauty and Adidas. Two years ago Ellie partnered with Mattel to launch the first ever Barbie with Down syndrome, and more recently her acting has taken centre stage, with a guest lead role in CBBC's Malory Towers. More: Strictly Come Dancing 2025 - find out everything you need to know about the new series Meet the new Professional Dancers joining the Strictly family in 2025 Watch Strictly Come Dancing on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Ellie Goldstein says: 'I'm absolutely over the moon to be joining the cast and pros of Strictly Come Dancing this year. It's a show I've loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream. I know it's going to be challenging, but I'm ready to do it with the glitter and glamour and make some magic on that dancefloor. Let the Strictly journey begin!' The news was revealed on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday 13 August and the remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series will be announced in due course. Strictly Come Dancing is a BBC Studios Entertainment production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and was commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producer is Sarah James, the Series Editors are Nicola Fitzgerald and Jack Gledhill. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Jo Wallace. Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September. Add Strictly to your watchlist on BBC iPlayer now. GK Follow for more
Daily Mail
a minute ago
- Daily Mail
Tulisa's bombshell claims: Singer details battle with addiction, suicide attempts and her heartbreaking response to sex tape scandal
Tulisa Contostavlos is leaving no stone unturned in her upcoming autobiography, detailing her battle with addiction, two suicide attempts and her sex tape scandal. The singer, 37, vowed to be 'brutally honest' in the tome, titled Judgement: Love, Trials and Tribulations, and has stayed true to her word. According to The Mirror, the N-Dubz star charts her 'year from hell' amid her drug sting trial, which led to two suicide attempts. She penned of the day she found out she was going to be charged on suspicion of being involved with the supply of Class A drugs: 'Why is this happening to me? 'What's the point in being alive just to be miserable? How am I ever going to find happiness after this? Even if I'm found innocent, I'll be empty inside by the time I get to the end of it, and my life will be ruined.' Thankfully, she was found by former best friend Gareth Varey who called an ambulance after finding her in her bathroom surrounded by empty packets of sleeping pills. While Tulisa was revived, she made a second attempt on her life months later amid her trial, which resulted in her being hospitalised for three days. Throughout any challenging times, Tulisa would try and comfort herself by locking herself in the bathroom. She explained: 'When I was a child, the bathroom was the only room in my house with a lock. I had always locked myself in there in times of distress, whether it was because my parents were going at it like two bulls in a china shop again, or my mentally ill mother was going off the rails. It had always been my place of safety. 'And twenty years later, here I was: back lying on the bathroom floor. Deep-rooted issues, I suppose. When the sex tape had come out, I had slept on the bathroom floor for five days.' Tulisa's ex Justin Edwards - who she had broken up with in 2009 - released a sex tape of her in 2012 during the height of her fame. Revenge porn was not illegal at the time, meaning she only managed to get a court apology from him. Elsewhere in the book, Tulisa also revealed that while she suffered from depression she became addicted to sleeping tablets and benzodiazepines, a habit she broke free from last year after she 'found her peace and faith'. Tulisa's memoir documents her rise to prominence and subsequent fall from grace after being targeted by the disgraced 'Fake Sheikh', Mazher Mahmood. The singer later admitted her life 'fell apart' following an elaborate sting that resulted in her being arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs, an accusation she vehemently denied. As the drama played out in court, Tulisa opted to keep a journal in which she detailed the toll her trial had taken on her personal life, and the devastating impact it had on her career. Released by Blink Publishing for Bonnier Books UK, Judgement is now available to purchase.
