Living Ink Technologies has earned a spot on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 list in the Sustainability category for its bio-based pigment, Algae Black.
Living Ink’s Algae Black replaces extractive, petroleum-derived carbon black with high-performance renewable feedstocks.
By transforming nature’s smallest organisms and industrial bio-waste into carbon-negative color, the Colorado-based materials innovator enables global brands across apparel, cosmetics, packaging, plastics, and paints to swap out extractive, petroleum-based carbon black for renewable inputs.
At its core, Living Ink is ‘resurrecting color’ by pioneering its waste-to-value technology. Co-founded by Scott Fulbright and Stevan Albers, the company transforms underutilized agri-food and industrial bio-waste, like farmed algae byproduct or brewery yeast, into vibrant, carbon-negative pigments.
This circular approach directly connects landfill waste diversion with high-value manufacturing materials, giving new life to organic waste as a premium color for commercial supply chains.
A key driver behind Living Ink’s commercial expansion with major global brands in apparel, cosmetics, packaging, and paints is its seamless integration.
Formulated as a direct drop-in replacement that mimics status quo carbon black, Living Ink’s pigment requires zero retooling or supply chain disruption for manufacturers and brands, enabling immediate, scalable adoption.
“Being recognized by TIME validates that sustainability and high performance can seamlessly coexist,” added Stevan Albers, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Living Ink. “We engineered Algae Black so manufacturers can swap out fossil fuels for bio-based waste without changing their existing equipment or sacrificing design fidelity. We are proving that scalable bio-innovations can displace petroleum inputs across global supply chains today.”
“The adage is true that good things come in small packages,” said Scott Fulbright, CEO and Co-Founder of Living Ink. “The layer of color on our daily products often goes completely unnoticed—just like micro-algae is dismissed as just pond scum. But these tiny organisms, the very building blocks of life on Earth, hold incredible power. This recognition from TIME reinforces our belief that harnessing nature’s smallest inputs allows everyday materials to tell a compelling, visual story that resonates with brands’ consumers.”