Westfalia Fruit and Sages London extract sustainable avocado-based dye

Westfalia Fruit has partnered with UK startup Sages London to develop an innovative method of extracting a natural, sustainable dye from avocado stones, marking a major step in waste reduction and total crop utilisation.

The process extracts perseorangin from avocado stones, which is then converted into a long-lasting powdered dye, capable of producing eight different shades, from light yellow to deep reddish-brown. The innovation creates new opportunities for sustainable colouring solutions across industries such as fashion, beauty, and packaging.

Andrew Mitchell, Head of Group Innovation at Westfalia, emphasized the impact of this breakthrough by stating, “By transforming what was once considered waste into a valuable resource, we’re advancing our total crop use strategy. This innovation not only supports sustainability but also opens new possibilities for industries seeking natural alternatives to synthetic dyes.”

Beyond dye extraction, additional materials from avocado skins and stones are also repurposed. Starches are used in paper manufacturing and packaging, while ground materials serve as natural exfoliants in cosmetics, replacing harmful microplastics.