The Valencian Institute for Business Competitiveness (IVACE) has granted funding of €68,977.26, co-financed by the European Union at a rate of 60% through the ERDF Operational Programme of the Valencian Community, for the project entitled “RESEARCH ON THE VALORIZATION OF PDCS THROUGH THE FUNCTIONALIZATION OF RECYCLED TEXTILES”, with reference number IMIDCA/2023/13, submitted under the PIDCOP-CV programme.

The objective of this project was the research and development of dyeing and printing processes using a new type of recycled natural pigment with insecticidal functionality, based on spent coffee grounds as the main innovation. The R&D activities included the study of eco-formulations and their application through fabric dyeing and both flatbed and screen (squeegee) printing processes.

The main technical challenge addressed to ensure efficient project development was the conditioning of the spent coffee grounds. To a lesser extent, challenges related to the extraction of the new pigment, the formulation of stable dispersions, and the adaptation of dyeing and printing processes were also resolved.

It is worth highlighting that the valorization of a waste material such as spent coffee grounds into a functional pigment also provides an environmental benefit, not only for the textile sector but for society as a whole, by contributing to the reduction of waste accumulation in landfills and incineration processes.

Finally, the project was successfully completed, resulting in the development of a new coloration process based on pigments derived from spent coffee grounds.