Archroma has received the 2026 ICIS Innovation Award for Best Product Innovation from a Large Company for its FiberColors® range of sulfur dyes. The dyes are produced using pre-consumer wool waste as a primary feedstock, creating an alternative to conventional petroleum-derived raw materials while supporting textile circularity.
FiberColors® extends Archroma’s patented EarthColors® method of bio-based feedstock substitution from plant residue to coarse, non-commercial wool. Using a minimum of 50% wool waste as a primary feedstock, the process produces biosynthetic sulfur dyes designed to deliver the same dyeing and fastness performance as regular sulfur dyes.
Archroma states that the dye manufacturing process does not negatively affect water consumption, energy consumption or waste generation.
“Archroma has led the evolution of sulfur dyeing for over a century by advancing what’s technically possible and proving it can pay for itself. FiberColors® is that approach in practice – using an agricultural waste output with high disposal costs to replace a petroleum-based input and produce a dye that performs at scale for mills and brands. We’re honored it has been recognized by ICIS,” said Julio Perales, Technical & Product Segment Manager Denim, Archroma.
Applications across textile processes
FiberColors® dyes can be used in exhaust dyeing, continuous dyeing, denim coloration and textile printing for cellulosic fibers including cotton, viscose, linen, bamboo and kapok, as well as wool.
The range provides warm shades for products such as jeans, chinos, T-shirts, hoodies and home textiles. FiberColors® products meet bluesign® criteria, are GOTS approved, and are listed on the ZDHC Gateway with Conformance Level 3.
Türkiye-based denim manufacturer Orta Anadolu introduced its first FiberColors® collection in April 2026. The company is using the dyes as part of efforts to address the disposal challenge associated with non-commercial wool.
Converting unwanted wool into an industrial input
According to Archroma, wool waste remains a significant issue for sheep farmers, who may have to pay for the disposal of fleeces that have no commercial value. In Europe, three-quarters of the region’s 200 million kg annual wool production is wasted.
Archroma says FiberColors® can produce 10 kg of liquid FiberColors® from 1 kg of wool waste, diverting the material from disposal and creating a traceable input for dye production.
The technology builds on Archroma’s 40-year commitment to sulfur dye innovation at its Castellbisbal plant in Spain. The R&D team behind FiberColors® also developed EarthColors®, which was introduced in 2017 and has been adopted by more than 50 global brands, including Ralph Lauren, Kathmandu, G-Star RAW, Esprit and Ugg.
Archroma states that EarthColors® has upcycled more than 60 tons of plant residue from the herbal and food industries.
The ICIS Innovation Awards recognise innovations across the chemicals and energy sectors that deliver impact and advance sustainability.