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ABOUT US
Reinventing Textile Dyeing Through Circular Innovation.
Who are we?
DyeLoop is a research-driven initiative created by the BioPPuL@UC research group, from CERES research center, at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra to revolutionize the textile dyeing process. Our proprietary technology enables the recovery and reuse of dyes and water from industrial effluents—delivering high environmental impact with economic advantages. Our mission is to make circular dyeing a commercial reality by blending science, innovation, and sustainability.
Our story
Background
From problem to circular innovation.
280k tons
of textile dyes released per year
The Problem
The textile industry has doubled global fiber production in just two decades—reaching over 108 million tons by 2020. This rapid growth has led to extensive water consumption and pollution. Dyeing processes alone are responsible for up to 20% of global water pollution, with over 280,000 tons of synthetic dyes released into waterways every year.
The Challenge
Conventional wastewater treatment systems are often costly, complex, and ineffective in fully removing synthetic dyes. Despite growing environmental awareness, the industry lacked scalable, circular alternatives to toxic dyeing processes.
In response to this challenge, a team at the University of Coimbra developed DyeLoop—an outcome of the CirRe-Dyeing research program. The system enables the recovery and reuse of dyes and water from textile effluents, using eco-friendly extractants to reduce waste, costs, and environmental impact through circular design.
The Breakthrough
Scaling Up
With €1.4 million in EU funding, the team is now building and validating an industrial-scale prototype. A roadmap is in place for commercialization and the launch of a dedicated spin-off company, paving the way for a cleaner, more circular textile industry.
The team
Meet the minds driving circular innovation in textile dyeing.
Jorge Pereira
MsC in Biological Eng.
PhD in Chemical Eng.
Associate w/ Hab. Prof
Alexandre Jorge
MsC in Chemical Eng.
PhD Student in Chemical Eng. at UC
Helena Ribeiro
MsC in Biotechnology
PhD Student in Chemical Eng. at UC
Mariana Alves
MsC in Chemical Eng.
PhD Student in Chemical Eng. at UC
Joaquim Pinto
MsC in Biochemistry
Researcher in Dep. Chemical Eng. at UC
+ 5 HR