By using only water, medicinal plants, and ultrasound, AIZOME has completely replaced toxic chemicals from the dyeing process while producing textiles with health benefits. These health benefits are also retained by the wastewater. This is how the innovation of WASTECARE™ was born. The health benefits of the indigo plant make it suitable for use as a nourishing face serum, first of its kind. In producing WASTECARE™, AIZOME proves that both the product and the byproduct can have a positive impact on people as well as the planet.

AIZOME is a Japanese-German startup, named for the millennia-old Japanese plant-based dyeing method “aizome” that made use of water and natural indigo. It was once revered for its wound-healing properties in Samurai armor. But the invention of synthetic dyes marked the decline of aizome. Today, only five aizome masters remain in Tokushima, Japan.

AIZOME reinvented this method with ultrasound to ensure that color and health benefits actually last. AIZOME has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the medicinal value provided by its products. While textile innovations focus on solving isolated problems, AIZOME tackles the whole production and consumption process. It doesn’t just eliminate a problem but creates value as well by producing textiles that are not only less harmful but even beneficial. Skincare is an intimate product, and in contrast to waste, it is regarded as something with high value. By presenting waste as skincare, AIZOME proves that even their worst has a positive impact.

1500+ harmful chemicals are used in textile production. Japanese startup AIZOME has developed a dyeing method that uses only water, plants, and ultrasound, to create textiles that are not only less harmful, but even come with health benefits. But how can a small startup stand out among all the sustainability claims?

WASTECARE™ — the first skincare product that is industrial wastewater from textile dyeing. Straight from the factory, the wastewater is tested and certified according to dermatological standards. Bottled and packaged like a high-end beauty product, it was shipped out to key opinion leaders in textile, fashion, and healthcare with the goal of forming partnerships to eliminate toxic chemicals in the industry.

WASTECARE™ is a dermatologically certified skincare product. A few drops of organically grown natural stabilizers and preservatives (citric acid) were added to the original industrial wastewater to guarantee usability after shipping. Each stage of unboxing allows the user to get closer to the story of AIZOME through data visualization, fabric, and finally, the face serum.

200 boxes were exclusively shipped out to leaders working for brands including Adidas, UNIQLO, Pangaia, SKIMS, and more.

2015 – Michel May and Misa Muto began to explore the potential of chemical-free dyeing.

2016 – AIZOME ULTRA™ is patented as only ultrasound-based dyeing method with scientifically proven health benefits.

2017 – AIZOME is founded by Misa Muto and Michel May in Germany.

2019 – The first commercial AIZOME fabric dyed with Indigofera is released.

2020 – Partnerships within the healthcare sector are secured.

2021 – Three additional colors are introduced: Sumac Grey, Rubia Rose, and Deep Indigo.

2023 –

• WASTECARE™ created, shipped out, most importantly, showcased at pop-ups and trade shows.

• Partnerships with fashion and hospitality companies.

• Rolled out new textile products. Received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, certifying AIZOME textiles as medical device.

AIZOME ULTRA™ is a patented, ultrasound dyeing method. Instead of synthetic chemicals it uses a physical trick: ultrasound sets plant particles in motion at a custom frequency of 52.5kHz underwater, binding them to the fiber permanently. And with that, their color and health benefits.

While conventional dyeing consumes over 5 trillion liters of water, AIZOME makes it possible to dye using 200 times lesser water. Because no synthetic chemicals go into the making, the wastewater is clean, reusable, and simply a mixture of medicinal plants and water that retain the benefits of the dye. Natural indigo is certified for its anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and antibacterial properties. It is a traditional skincare ingredient in Japan as well as China. To highlight that even the waste produced by AIZOME holds value, the wastewater was packaged as a high-end skincare product. It was sent out to key opinion leaders so they can experience the benefits of AIZOME’s process firsthand, as a way of challenging the industry’s standard of waste while proposing an innovative new solution to textile’s toxicity problem.

WASTECARE™ gained over 110 million media impressions while also generating interest from consumers. Showcased in pop-up stores and industry trade shows, the skincare experience was used to demonstrate the benefits of the textiles. WASTECARE™ was sent to key opinion leaders in textile, fashion, and healthcare, which resulted in a 94% response rate, 44 new business opportunities, and 3 new investors. Owing to media attention and popular demand, AIZOME is in talks with cosmetic brands to roll it out for as a retail product.