Innovative Extraction from Avocado Stones Promises Eco-Friendly Dye Solutions Across Industries

Westfalia Fruit, a global leader in the avocado industry, announced on February 12, 2025, a new method of extracting a sustainable natural dye from avocado stones, marking a major development in efforts to use all parts of the fruit.

In pursuit of comprehensive resource utilization, the company already transforms unsuitable avocados into products such as pulp, mashed avocado, and guacamole at its dedicated facility.

Now, by partnering with Efficiency Technologies and collaborating with SAGES London, it has devised a technology that isolates a rare pigment called perseorangin, which offers eight distinct shades spanning from pale yellow to deep reddish-brown.

This pioneering initiative responds to growing demand for natural coloring options and aims to create higher-value applications from what was once low-value waste.

Westfalia Fruit previously diverted avocado skins and seeds to low-impact uses like anaerobic digesters.

The new process collects avocado stones from the company’s UK site and extracts perseorangin, which constitutes about 3% of each stone.

The resulting pigment is converted into a dried powder with a longer shelf life and diverse uses in sectors such as fashion, cosmetics, and packaging.

This extraction complements other sustainability moves by Westfalia Fruit, as remaining components from the skins and seeds can be further directed into useful materials like starches for paper production and ground particles that serve as natural exfoliants, providing an alternative to micro-plastics in personal care products.

“This breakthrough represents a significant step in our journey towards our total crop use strategy. By transforming what was once considered a byproduct into a valuable resource, we’re creating sustainable solutions that benefit multiple industries. The ability to produce eight distinct natural shades while maintaining our commitment to using the entire fruit demonstrates the potential of innovative thinking in sustainable agriculture.”

Andrew Mitchell, Head of Group Innovation at Westfalia Fruit

The commercial appeal of the natural dye has already been confirmed by practical demonstrations, including a high-profile showcase at London Fashion Week.

Designers and retailers are increasingly seeking natural replacements for synthetic dyes in response to consumer demand for sustainable options.

The dye’s adaptability is amplified by its powder format, which enhances stability and simplifies transportation.

In the cosmetics sector, companies can incorporate the pigment into product formulations without relying on artificial coloring, while the packaging industry can tap into eco-friendly branding by highlighting its reduced environmental impact.

Beyond the dye itself, Westfalia Fruit’s approach addresses a broader commitment to sustainable agriculture and a circular economy.

Any leftover residues from the dye extraction process are routed into secondary products, further minimizing waste.

Starches derived from avocado skins and stones find their way into paper manufacturing, a crucial step toward developing more sustainable packaging options.

This integration supports a closed-loop system where materials are repurposed efficiently and used to create value-added items instead of being discarded.

The initiative’s potential for global expansion is significant, given the scope of Westfalia Fruit’s integrated operations.

Currently, the process is based in the UK, but the company is examining the possibility of extending the same technology to other facilities in Europe.

Westfalia Fruit’s worldwide footprint positions it favorably to replicate these practices in other regions, maximizing impact and reinforcing its dedication to responsible resource use.