Could the iconic blue of jeans one day be produced from plants grown in Valais? In Conthey, Mediplant has developed the Indigo of the Alps project, with support from The Ark Foundation. This innovative initiative aims to produce a natural, traceable pigment from woad. Combining applied research, the promotion of local resources, and prospects for a more sustainable textile industry, this project illustrates the innovative potential of the life sciences in Valais.
The topic recently caught the attention of RTS, which featured it in a report on its 7:30 p.m. newscast. This national exposure reflects the growing interest in sustainable alternatives within the textile industry.
An ancient color brought back into fashion
Long before the advent of synthetic dyes, indigo was already being used to dye textiles. Today, the textile industry faces the need to reduce its environmental impact. In this context, natural dyes are regaining strategic importance.
The Indigo des Alpes project, led by Mediplant, based at PhytoArk in Conthey, is fully in line with this trend. Its goal: to produce natural indigo from woad (Isatis tinctoria), a native plant found naturally in the Rhône Valley and known for centuries for its dyeing properties.
From Plant to Pigment
However, transforming a plant into a textile pigment requires much more than simply harvesting it. Mediplant’s teams have been working for several years to optimize cultivation, harvesting, and extraction methods in order to obtain a high-quality pigment that meets industry standards.
Producing a stable, reproducible pigment that meets the textile sector’s requirements represents a genuine scientific challenge. Several years of research and pilot-scale testing were necessary to optimize the extraction processes and ensure the quality of the pigment produced.
Using processes based primarily on water and green chemistry methods, researchers have succeeded in producing a natural indigo powder that has already been tested in various textile applications. This approach makes it possible to harness a renewable resource while reducing reliance on certain more polluting processes.
Building a Local Supply Chain
Beyond scientific innovation, Indigo des Alpes also has economic and regional ambitions. The goal is to contribute to the creation of a local value chain, ranging from plant cultivation to pigment processing and its use in the textile industry.
The results achieved with Indigo des Alpes have also enabled Mediplant to join the European project AlpTextyles. Supported by the Interreg Alpine Space program, this project brings together partners from several countries to develop natural dyes and new, more sustainable textile value chains.
This initiative is part of a broader discussion on the relocation of certain production processes and the development of short supply chains. It also opens up new opportunities for farmers, businesses, and stakeholders in the textile sector seeking sustainable alternatives.
Innovation for the Benefit of the Region
The Indigo des Alpes project demonstrates that innovation is not limited to new digital or industrial technologies. It can also arise from the rediscovery of existing natural resources and their enhancement through scientific research.
By combining life sciences, agriculture, and sustainable development, Mediplant helps foster new development opportunities while strengthening the regional roots of innovation.
This approach illustrates Valais’s innovation potential in the life sciences and sustainable materials, while paving the way for new value chains centered on local natural resources.
Source: “Indigo des Alpes: The Color of the Future Grows in Valais,” 19h30, Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), May 2026.
At a Glance
Amount invested by The Ark Foundation: CHF 95,000
Project duration: 3.5 years (January 2021–February 2026)