Natural dyes: an alternative to synthetic dyes?

Recent ecological concerns and pollution standards have focused on the textile dyeing industry, which has brought some attention upon the use of natural dyes as an alternative to modern chemical dyes. Current studies, such as those performed by Bayer, have determined that for the moment, natural dyestuffs do not present a real alternative, even as supplements. Despite some very satisfactory dyeing results, industrial use at today's standards would require further exploitation of nature, as well as the fact that the natural dyes are unsuitable for many synthetic fibers. -- AATA