Overview

As one of the world's largest water users, the printing and dyeing industry uses more than 5 trillion liters of water every year. Fossil fuels and a large number of toxic and highly polluting chemicals used in this field have also brought great pressure and damage to the environment. In recent years, with the outbreak of the epidemic and the decline of production capacity and other factors, the transformation of printing and dyeing enterprises has been imminent. Meanwhile, with eco-friendly, pollution-free lifestyle gradually into people's vision, a new kind of dyeing methods is needed. Our project, introducing a novel approach to biological staining, stands poised to secure a competitive edge in the market, thanks to its environmental-friendly, highly efficient production processes, coupled with the utilization of low-toxicity and high-value bacterial pigments. By integrating technology with traditional printing and dyeing techniques, we sincerely aspire for Neovio Dye to spearhead fashion towards a future that is both more sustainable and personalized.

Production process and usage

Firstly，in our project Neovio Dye，we use the blue light to etch the customized figure into genes on the control plasmid by Cre-loxp system. Using salicylic acid and AHL as signaling molecules, we can decide whether purple and green pigments are produced or not. Finally, we mixed the producer strain and controller strain of the K12 engineered bacteria and inoculated them onto the modified bacterial cellulose.

figure 1 The process and usage of production

Given the liposoluble nature of violacein, we employed sodium citrate as a crosslinking agent and sodium dihydrogen phosphate as a catalyst to link β-cyclodextrin to the bacterial cellulose through esterification, thereby further enhancing the color-fixing capacity of the bacterial cellulose. Through optogenetic techniques, users can achieve a variety of dyeing effects.

figure 2 cross linking reaction between cyclodextrins and bacterial cellulose

In product flow section, users place orders for customized personalized products through our dedicated APP named expAscribe and the terminal will synchronize the relevant information to the upstream factory, which will then proceed with efficient and integrated production simultaneously.

figure 3 The final possible form of the product

figure 4 The whole process from production to sales

Product Characteristics

Neovio Dye are committed to creating a product that combines the diversity of tie-dye with the efficiency of industry, aesthetic sensibility with scientific rationality. Using our product as a communication platform, our project precisely targets groups within vertical fields who pursue individuality, uniqueness, and fashion sense within specific pop culture trends. It encourages users to create and share content related to pop culture, such as fashion outfits and styling, and offers interactive features among users, including liking, commenting, following, and private messaging. These functions aim to foster a community atmosphere and culture, thereby establishing a user-generated content-focused communication community mediated by images/videos, etc. This approach enhances user stickiness and cultivates a unique culture that blends biology with fashion.

Through our specially designed software UniDye, users can upload specified images, which are then automatically converted into dot distribution maps by the system. Under blue light illumination, a fascinating reaction occurs between purple and green pigments. Ultimately, users will obtain a unique, personalized bacterial staining product.

While pursuing fashion aesthetics, our project also focuses on industrial sustainability. The bacterial pigments we use pose no harm to the environment, and the adoption of microbial dyeing reduces resource consumption during the process, making it more efficient and aligned with the global trend of green development.

We use bacterial staining, which can liberate manpower to a higher degree. For complex pigments, the use of bacteria for production can realize the integration of multiple links, so as to complete industrial integration and improve efficiency and output.

We are honored to obtain the technical support from the School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University that has deeply cultivated the field of synthetic biology and accumulated long-term technological expertise.

figure 5 Product Characteristics

End Users

As a special product that helps to promote green and pollution-free printing and dyeing production and unique and personalized printing and dyeing forms, our service objects include but are not limited to the following categories:

Neovio Dye can offer products attaining a certain high level in both quality and aesthetics by providing unique dyeing effects and personalized customization services, fulfilling these groups' pursuit of fashion and quality. Particularly, the rich dyeing effects and environmentally friendly production process achieved through synthetic biology technology can significantly enhance brand value and market competitiveness.

While reducing environmental pollution, Neovio Dye integrates elements of intangible cultural heritage, catering to the consumption preferences of those who have a high pursuit of the environmental attributes and cultural connotations of products.

The optogenetic technology adopted by Neovio Dye is avant-garde and can attract some educational and research partners to jointly promote and further advance the application and popularization of synthetic biology in the fields of education and research.

To the market

To thoroughly examine the market entry conditions for Neovio Dye, we embarked on a Business Model Canvas analysis, focusing intently on Key Partners, Key Activities, Key Resources, Value Propositions, Customer Segments, Channels, Customer Relationships, Revenue Streams, and Cost Structure.

figure 6 business plan

We also conducted an exhaustive analysis of user personas to cater to the needs of diverse target groups. Furthermore, by incorporating product attributes, we aim to identify appropriate operational models and marketing strategies, dedicated to broadening multi-faceted sales channels, collaborating with suitable partners, and securing a stable capital flow. Our ultimate goal is to ensure sustainable development and continuously invigorate the Neovio Dye project. For an in-depth look, please refer to our entrepreneurship section.

figure 7 Business Model Canvas