What if one of the world’s dirtiest industrial processes could be reinvented—by microbes? Textile dyeing causes 20% of global water pollution, but Colorifix CEO Orr Yarkoni is flipping the script. In this episode, he explains how engineered microbes are replacing toxic dye chemicals with clean, modular, biological systems. Learn how Colorifix built a scalable, sustainable solution for color production—cutting carbon, chemicals, and water use—while tackling global supply chains and navigating complex GMO regulations.
Tune in as biology rewrites the future of fashion.
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Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts!
Searching for new podcasts on sustainability?
Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions.
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Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact.
Tune in on…
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
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…to listen to the latest episodes!
Timestamps:
00:56 – Biology vs. chemical dyeing
04:07 – Origins: arsenic biosensor to fashion
07:22 – Why textile dyeing is broken
12:05 – Mapping the supply chain
19:36 – Modular bioreactors for scale
23:44 – Fermentation hardware breakthrough
28:15 – The challenge of making black
32:44 – Strategic backing from IKEA & H&M
34:54 – Scaling globally, sustainably
40:44 – GMO regulation bottlenecks
Useful links:
Colorfix website: https://www.colorifix.com/
Colorfix’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/colorfix/
Orr Yarkoni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orr-yarkoni-48653095/
Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/
Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/
