Materia Botánica: Redefining Textile Sustainability
10 FINALIST - II Entrepreneurship Call 2025: Women in Technology
In a world where the fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to water pollution, Materia Botánica emerges as a breath of fresh air. Founded by Almudena Cerezo Araujo in Spain, this innovative project is transforming agricultural and food industry waste into natural pigments for textile dyeing, offering a sustainable, circular, and scalable alternative to synthetic dyes.
The Problem: A Polluted Industry
Traditional textile dyes are responsible for 20% of global potable water contamination. They contain harmful chemicals that are toxic, carcinogenic, and damaging to both human health and the environment. Managing these synthetic dye wastes is often inefficient, and inconsistent regulations allow harmful practices to continue across countries.
The Solution: Nature as a Palette
Materia Botánica has developed a technology driven, circular solution:
Natural Pigments: Free from synthetic dyes and heavy metals, making textiles safer for people with chemical sensitivities or skin conditions.
Proprietary Processes: Innovative machinery scales natural dyeing from artisanal to semi-industrial levels, maintaining consistency, traceability, and ecological impact.
Circular Economy: By revalorizing vegetable waste like onion skins, chestnut husks, and avocado pits, the project avoids using crops specifically for dyes and closes the loop in local food and agricultural systems.
Clean Production: Closed loop water systems, clean energy, and compostable by-products ensure zero environmental compromise.
Innovation Meets Research
Supported by AITEX, Almudena and her team have tested over 50 types of plant residues, analyzing color fastness and antibacterial properties. The result? High-quality pigments ready for both creative design and industrial application.
Impact Across Sectors
Environmental: Reduces water pollution, eliminates toxic chemicals, and promotes a circular economy by reusing plant waste.
Health & Safety: Safer textiles for sensitive users, with compostable waste that can be returned to the environment as fertilizer.
Local Development: Strengthens rural economies in Galicia by partnering with local workshops and small businesses.
Innovation: Scales artisanal natural dyeing to semi-industrial production without compromising quality or traceability.
Cultural Shift: Encourages the fashion industry to adopt regenerative and responsible production practices, aligning with growing consumer demand for transparency and sustainability.
This is one of the 10 finalist projects of the Women in Technology II Entrepreneurship Call 2025 by Tara for Women.
A story born from passion, shaped by resilience, and guided by a woman who dares to build what the future needs. Her journey is just beginning and we are honored to be part of it.