Eco-friendly printing with agro-industrial waste: review of advances in functional textiles

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions in the textile and graphic industries highlights the urgent need to replace conventional synthetic dyes with natural alternatives. This review aims to provide an overview of recent advances in the use of agro-industrial waste as a valuable source of bio-based pigments and binders for printing applications. The main objective is to demonstrate how natural colorants such as anthocyanins or carbon-based pigments like biochar and activated carbon can serve as options for achieving both aesthetic and functional properties in textiles. Furthermore, the review discusses the role of eco-friendly binders in formulating stable printing pastes. Special attention is given to functional outcomes such as antimicrobial activity, antioxidant capacity, and dielectric properties. By summarizing current progress and challenges, the paper emphasizes the potential of natural pigments and agro-industrial by-products to drive innovation in textile printing. The review also identifies existing limitations, including colour stability and scalability of production, and highlights future perspectives for integrating natural pigments into advanced functional materials. In this way, the study contributes to building a foundation for sustainable, innovative, and environmentally responsible printing technologies.