Pangaia X AIR-INK Unveil New Capsule Featuring Water-Based Inks Made From Air Pollution

Material science company Pangaia has collaborated with cleantech solutions firm Graviky Labs to unveil a new capsule collection by creative director Jenke Ahmed Tailly that features the latter’s AIR-INK, a water-based black ink made from air pollution.

In line with London-based Pangaia’s commitment to sustainability and promoting a circular economy, its new capsule consists of the brand’s signature heavyweight recycled cotton hoodies, t-shirts, and track pants, as well as new styles like bucket hats, bags, and jersey slippers, featuring prints using AIR-INK.

Based in Boston, Graviky Labs upcycles air pollution into sustainable paints, coatings, plastics, and inks. One of its inventions, AIR-INK is developed using PM 2.5. particulate matter, a component of air pollution that is considered extremely damaging to humans as well as contributes to climate change.

Graviky Labs captures this matter, cleans it, and then converts it into a pigment that works as an alternative for carbon black that is usually employed in conventional inks. The alternative is incorporated into these inks, the same printing inks that are now text-blocks on all of Pangaia’s new capsule products and used even for the brand’s new logo.

As part of the lauch promotion, the brand has created a visual series “Just Like Ink, by Jenke Ahmed Tailly” that features model, philanthropist, actress, and businesswoman, Naomi Campbell as well as Nigerian musician, Keziah Jones.

In a press release seen by Green Queen, Tailly Jenke Ahmed Tailly who has worked with the likes of Beyonce and Kim Kardashian said: “When I started working on the campaign concept, I thought about the amazing transformation process behind AIR-INK and how carbon emissions are technically transformed into Ink.”

I started dreaming about infinite ways of rising and was organically drawn to the infinity symbol, which is connected to everything in life and represents a potential of infinity rather than an infinite quantity. This is the best metaphor symbolizing the notion of the interdependence of our humanity which is aligned with Pangaia’s philosophy

Jenke Ahmed Tailly, creative director

Tailly added: “Just like Ink is a name I chose and it was inspired by a verse of Maya Angelou powerful poem “Still I rise – Just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise.” And then I started dreaming about infinite ways of rising and was organically drawn to the infinity symbol, which is connected to everything in life and represents a potential of infinity rather than an infinite quantity. This is the best metaphor symbolizing the notion of the interdependence of our humanity which is aligned with Pangaia philosophy as a responsible brand – with this new generation of thinkers, leading the way to a better future for our planet.”

Back in October of last year, Pangaia debuted its first zero-waste sneakers that not only consisted of plant-based leather made from grapes but used 100% recycled natural materials like recycled rubber sole derived from industrial waste.

The capsule is live on the brand’s website and is also available in the Pangaia experience at the Selfridges Cornershop in London, which will run till May 2, 2021.

Lead image – Naomi Campbell for the Pangaia X AIR-INK campaign, courtesy of Pangaia.