Citizens of Humanity, Pili launch bio-indigo denim

Citizens of Humanity Group has partnered with Pili, a French biochemicals company specializing in sustainable dyes and pigments, to help decarbonize the color industry. On Monday Citizens of Humanity (COH) and Agolde, unveiled the first garments dyed with Pili’s Eco-Indigo, a bacteria-based alternative to petroleum-derived indigo.

Pili’s bio-indigo addresses the textile industry’s consumption of 2 million tons of dyes annually, with 99 percent being fossil-based. By combining industrial fermentation and green chemistry, Pili reduces harmful chemicals, cuts fossil fuel dependency, and lowers CO₂ emissions by up to 50 percent compared to traditional indigo dyeing methods.

The process begins with genetically engineered bacteria that produce pigments. These microbes are cultivated in tanks and fed carbon-based materials, like sugar, to synthesize the dye. After fermentation, the dye is separated from the bacteria through a simple filtration process. This innovative biotechnology ensures scalable, cost-effective dye production without compromising quality.