ELUCENT: EnvironmentaLly sUstainable Coloured and Effect pigmeNT

闪光物质包括金属氧化物、开采和合成矿物、塑料和生物基颜料，这些物质被用来使我们的化妆品、织物、油漆和包装变得鲜艳多彩。然而，当涉及到成分毒性、剥削劳工、消耗不可再生资源和碳密集型开采、运输和制造实践时，它们是严重的违规者。矿物颜料钛已被认定为致癌物质，禁止在某些产品中使用，金属和矿物加工是**难以置信的** **能源和化学密集型**，开采云母与成千上万的儿童和妇女在**非法矿山**和恶劣的条件下工作有关。即使是不起眼的闪光和亮片，染料和颜料涂层塑料也被描述为环境灾难，甚至更环保的替代品将矿物颜料与污染海洋的微塑料结合在一起。**Sparxell的** **突破性技术**着眼于大自然，创造了这些广泛使用的成分的替代品。Sparxell的技术受到了一些浆果和鸟羽毛上的天然闪光效应的启发，将可食用的纤维素纳米晶体转化为完全可生物降解和可再生的色素。它甚至有可能从当地的废物流中采购，实现净零排放。Sparxell面临的最大挑战是生产足够多的产品来满足该行业未满足的需求。该项目将使Sparxell从其实验室试验生产的50克批次/天转向能够生产2公斤/天的制造系统设计。到2029年，我们的目标是每年生产超过40万公斤。**的颜料，并产生** 7500万英镑**的收入。我们正在与全球品牌密切合作，这些品牌表示，“这是市场一直在等待的解决方案”，以解决他们的环境可持续性问题。在英国几家领先的化妆品和时尚品牌的支持下，加上英国制造技术中心（MTC）的技术投入，该项目将进行重要的研发，以克服关键的技术障碍，并加速这项新技术的上市。

Shimmery substances including metal oxides, mined and synthetic minerals, plastics and bio-based **pigments,** are used to make our cosmetics, fabrics, paints, and packaging bright and colourful. However, they are serious offenders when it comes to ingredient toxicity, exploitive labour practices, depletion of non-renewable resources and carbon-intensive extraction, transport and manufacturing practices. Mineral pigment titanium has been recognised as **carcinogen** and banned from certain products, metal and mineral processing is **incredibly** **energy and chemical intensive** and mined mica is associated with tens of thousands of children and women working in **illegal mines** and terrible conditions. Even humble glitter and sequins, dye and pigment-coated plastic have been described as an **environmental disaster**, and even eco-friendlier alternatives combine mineral pigment with ocean-polluting microplastics.**Sparxell's** **ground-breaking technology** looked to nature to create an alternative to these widely-used ingredients. Inspired by the natural shimmering effect seen on some berries and bird feathers for instance, Sparxell's technology transforms edible **cellulose nanocrystals** into a fully biodegradable and renewable pigment. It even has the potential to be net-zero, sourced locally from waste streams.The greatest challenge for Sparxell is producing large enough amounts to satisfy the unmet needs of the industry. This project will see Sparxell move from its laboratory pilot production of 50g batches/day to a manufacturing system design capable of producing 2kg/day. By 2029, our ambition is to produce over **400,000kg/p.a.** of pigment and generate **£75m** in revenue. We are working closely with global brands who have stated that _**'this is the solution that the market has been waiting for'**_ to solve their environmental sustainability problems. With support from several of the UK's leading cosmetics and fashion brands, plus technical input from the UK's Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), this project will conduct vital R&D to overcome key technical barriers and accelerate this novel technology to market.