Process and apparatus for dyeing textiles

A process for dyeing a textile (22), comprising an enzymatic synthesis of a dye precursor, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

• a) contacting a solution comprising at least a first dye precursor (112) with at least a first immobilized enzyme (12), to convert at least part of said first dye precursor (112) into at least a second dye precursor (113), to obtain a solution comprising said at least second dye precursor (113);
• b) generating a flow of said solution comprising said second dye precursor (113), whereby said solution comprising said second dye precursor (113) flows from said first immobilized enzyme (12) to said textile (22);
• c) contacting said solution comprising said second dye precursor (113) with said textile (22);
• and
• d) converting at least part of said second dye precursor (113) to at least one dye (111), whereby at least part of said textile (22) is dyed;
• wherein said first immobilized enzyme (12) is spaced apart from said textile (22);
• wherein said at least first dye precursor (112) is indole and/or derivatives thereof, said at least second dye precursor (113) is indoxyl and/or derivatives thereof, and said at least dye (111) is indigo and/or derivatives thereof;
• wherein said first immobilized enzyme is an oxidizing enzyme, whereby said first dye precursor is oxidized to obtain said second dye precursor when contacted by said oxidizing enzyme;
• and
• wherein the pH of said solutions is in the range comprised from 7.0 to 10.0, whereby dimerization of said indoxyl and/or derivatives thereof to indigo and/or derivatives thereof occurs after said solution comprising at least said indoxyl and/or derivatives thereof is contacted to said textile.