Concentration on renewable resources, sustainability and replacement of oil based products are driving forces to reassess the potential of natural resources including natural colorants. The growing consumer interest in purchasing "green" products, which exhibit an improved environmental profile, can be seen as the break-through force needed to reintroduce natural colorants into the modern markets.

Written by scientists with specialised knowledge in the field, "Handbook of Natural Colorants" provides a unique source of information, summarising the present knowledge of natural colorants in depth. Supporting researchers in this emerging field of sustainable chemistry, it provides easy access to the theory and practice of natural colorants from different viewpoints, including agricultural, economic and legislative aspects.

Topics covered include:

History of coloration technologyPresent position of natural colorantsRegional plant source availabilitySpecific application techniquesChemical properties that professional dyers and chemists have to considerAgricultural sourcing of dyes with an emphasis on renewable resourcesDiscussions on energy and material balance issues arising from the sourcing of materialsProduction aspects of colorants, leading on to the key applicationsEnvironmental and economic aspects

Also included are the pros and cons of natural dyestuffs, presenting some promising results and evaluating the potential use of vegetable dyes as alternatives to chemical-based ones with a focus on green chemistry