Modatex partners with Colorifix at ISPO

The Modatex training centre developed a project with the British biotechnology company Colorifix, with the results showcased at the Colorifix stand at the ISPO sports trade fair in Munich, Germany.

According to Modatex, the initiative marks the final stage of a project that has brought young Portuguese designers closer to one of the most innovative and sustainable processes currently available in the textile industry.

Over the last few days, visitors to ISPO Munich- which ran from November 30 to December 2- had the opportunity to discover distinctive, wearable pieces made from fabrics and knitwear dyed through biological fermentation, an approach designed to inspire new generations of designers to embed sustainability from the very origins of materials and pigments.

The process begins by using DNA analysis to identify how certain organisms produce colour. That information is then transferred to safe microorganisms, which then reproduce the pigment through fermentation- a natural, efficient method with a significantly lower impact. According to Colorifix, this process delivers a 77% reduction in water consumption, an 80% reduction in the use of chemicals, a 71% reduction in natural gas, 53% less energy, and a 31% decrease in environmental footprint.

The biotechnology company is also advancing the development of “biological printing solutions,” already in magenta, yellow, blue and, more recently, black, it says.

For Modatex, this collaboration represents a unique opportunity to bring its trainees closer to revolutionary processes. “This project demonstrates that training gains strength when it intersects with innovation and real-world challenges. Our trainees responded with creativity, rigour and professionalism, proving that national talent has a place in fashion’s sustainable future,” says José Manuel Castro, director of the training centre.

“This presence reinforces Modatex’s commitment to developing skills aligned with the future demands of the sector and to promoting new generations of conscious creators, prepared to join an industry that is increasingly technological, responsible, and global,” the training centre’s statement stresses.

For young people starting out in fashion design, Rui Sá, Colorifix’s commercial director, advises: “Seek out recycled, chemical-free, and environmentally friendly materials. The future of fashion will be what you dare to create. Be the generation that proves that creativity can go hand in hand with preserving the planet.”