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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: LogOn: Eco-Friendly Jeans (TV/R)
HEADLINE: Eco-Friendly Blue Jeans? That’s One Company’s Goal
TEASER: By creating dyes inspired by nature, a California company hopes to create eco-friendly elements to the denim industry, and a lot more
PUBLISHED AT: 12/21/2021 at 7:33 am
BYLINE: Julie Taboh
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Berkeley, CA, Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Matt Dribble, Adam Greenbaum
PRODUCER: Julie Taboh, Adam Greenbaum
SCRIPT EDITORS: Michelle Quinn, Sue Jepsen
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Skype
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:00
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR: ))
((INTRO))
[[Scientists at a California company are using biotechnology to create an eco-friendly dye as an alternative to the toxic dyes typically used in the production of denim. VOA’s Julie Taboh has more.]]
((NARRATOR))
Despite its classic look, the blue dye used to manufacture denim can be hard on the environment and potentially toxic to workers, some researchers say.
Scientists at a company in Berkeley, California, have come up with what they say is an eco-friendlier dye inspired by Mother Nature.
They study enzymes that plants use to produce color and program microbes in their lab to mimic that process.
The Japanese indigo plant, for example, makes the blue dye molecule in its leaves.
((Radio Track: Huue co-founder Tammy Hsu.))
((Tammy Hsu Huue Co-founder))
“So we've taken the genetic information from the plant and used it to inform and program our microbes, and so here we have microbes growing on a plate where they're producing indigo in the same way that the dye plant would make indigo.”
((NATS-Dye mixing))
((NARRATOR))
The researchers grow the microbes in a liquid culture, where they replicate and divide, to produce the indigo color.
((Tammy Hsu Huue Co-founder))
“And so here we begin the process of developing out how to best grow our microbes so it's producing the largest amount of dye.”
((NARRATOR))
The fabric is soaked in the dye bath and placed on a fabric padder.
((Tammy Hsu Huue Co-founder))
“And here is the final dyed fabric.”
((Tammy Hsu Huue Co-founder))
“This is one of the first Huue indigo-dyed lab coats that we made.”
((Radio Track: Michelle Zhu, is the CEO and co-founder of Huue. She spoke with VOA via Skype.))
((Michelle Zhu, Huue CEO)) ((Skype))
“With the advancements in bioengineering and biotechnology, there really is an opportunity to clean up and change these traditional industries for good.”
((NARRATOR))
While Huue started its program with indigo for denim, the company plans to create more color options and expand to other industries.
((Michelle Zhu, Huue CEO)) ((Skype))
“So whether that be for the clothes that we wear, the food that we eat, or the paint on our walls, color is everywhere, and Huue is creating it in a better way, powered by biotechnology.”
((NARRATOR))
Huue plans to have its eco-friendly products available to consumers within the next few years.
((Julie Taboh, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsEnvironment, Economy, Business and Finance
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 22, 2021 15:47 EST
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media
