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Spira creates industrial chemicals using carbon-negative genetically engineered algae to replace artificial colors and animal proteins for food, cosmetic and textile companies.
About
Spira’s innovation is in a CRISPR gene editing technique to create novel, stabilized, high-value, biobased pigments that is sustainably produced using Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) microalgae species for applications at low pH(<3) and high temperature (>65°C). Our current work is developing a stable blue pigment using spirulina algae in conjunction with the NSF for applications in food, cosmetics, and textile applications. Work is underway in identifying other algae species for the following colors: red, yellow, and brown.
Key Benefits
For customers purchasing dye for food, cosmetic, and textile dyeing purposes, Spira uses its innovative genetic engineering techniques to solve the need for a stable, bio-based dye to replace harmful petroleum-based dye without any change to current production methods. This is an urgent unmet need as most artificial colorants used in food, cosmetics, and textiles are made from petroleum, whose refinement pollutes local environments, is highly toxic, and pollutes waterways, potentially causing cancer. Such issues have led to consumer backlash and public statements, particularly from major food companies, to remove all artificial food dyes by 2025. If these companies do not change, they are at risk of loss of market share and legal action.
Applications
Businesses are looking for natural color alternatives that can substitute for artificial dyes with minimal deviations in price, processing, or product development. Spira produces a pigment that is colorfast, UV stable, heat-stable and acid-stable so that it can be used in anything from beverages to fabric dyes.