Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Identification of plant residue with commercial potential as natural dyestuffs

Project ID: 2003-M6

Abstract

The project explored whether plants grown by farmers' market producers could be used successfully as natural dyes for textile making. A variety of plants and dyestuffs were investigated.

Key Question: Why would producers be interested in natural dyes?

Findings: Synthetic dyes are derived from non-renewable coal tar and petroleum. Natural dyes are extracted from plant and animal sources and are renewable resources. While current commercial interest in natural dyes is primarily in the area of natural dyes for food, there is great potential for natural dyes for textiles to be grown in Iowa. This project evaluated 48 plants and found 20 that meet basic criteria for textile applications: produced color that bonds with textile fibers and have acceptable performance for colorfastness to washing and light. Iowa-grown plants from which natural dyes can be extracted would be an alternative crop and income source for Iowa producers.

Lead investigator: Sara J. Kadolph, ISU AESHM

Year of grant completion: 2005

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Marketing Initiative.

Topics: Market research and feasibility studies