Eco-Friendly Innovations in Natural Dyes: Harnessing Lowland Wood Wastes for Sustainable Color Performance

Introduction

From Wood Waste to Natural Pigment: A Green Transformation

Indonesia’s rich biodiversity offers vast untapped potential for natural pigment production. By extracting dyes from discarded leaves and barks of species such as Acacia mangium, Tectona grandis, and Terminalia catappa, researchers achieved high-quality pigments suitable for batik and woven fabrics.

Key process steps included:

  • Sorting and reducing biomass waste into small fragments.
  • Heating in water at 70–80°C to extract natural coloring compounds.
  • Filtering and storing pigments in liquid or dry form.
  • Applying the pigments to cotton fabrics using traditional batik techniques.

The study found that storage up to six months did not significantly affect the pigments’ color quality, making this an efficient and durable method for small-scale and industrial applications alike.

Sustainable Dyeing and Fixative Techniques

Color fixation is critical in natural dyeing. The research utilized lime (CaCO₃) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄) as fixatives to enhance color stability. Results showed:

  • Lime fixatives produced soft brown to reddish tones.
  • Ferrous sulfate fixatives yielded greenish-gray or deep brown hues.
  • Color-leaching resistance was rated “very good” against rubbing and sunlight exposure, though less effective against detergent washing.

Environmental and Economic Implications

Moreover, the study highlights the economic potential of biomass-based dye industries in rural Indonesia providing employment for local batik crafters and reducing dependence on costly imported pigments.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite promising results, scaling biomass-based dye production faces logistical challenges, including:

  • Uneven distribution of biomass sources.
  • Degradation risks during improper storage.
  • The need for standardization of color consistency.

Future studies aim to explore pigment production from highland plant species and optimize preservation methods to ensure color stability for global textile markets.

Key Takeaways

  • Nine lowland wood species were identified as viable pigment sources.
  • Natural pigments remained stable after 6 months of storage.
  • Environmentally friendly fixatives improved color fastness.
  • Sustainable pigment production can boost rural economies.

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