Løvskal Ochre

Bringing raw Danish ochre back to industrial production for a sustainable future.

Løvskal Ochre is a new color scheme – not defined by digital codes or trends, but by the raw materiality of nature. The project explores the use of Danish ochre pigments in industrial production as a sustainable alternative to synthetic pigments.

The pigment comes from an old ochre mine in Løvskal, Jutland, which is now being brought back into use after 60 years. The site holds rich deposits in golden, orange, and brown tones – a natural resource now brought back into use.

The project started as a master’s thesis in collaboration with Linolie & Pigment and led to the first Danish linseed oil paint made with local ochre pigment in more than six decades. It was presented in June 2024 and has since developed into Pigmenta – a company launching in 2025 dedicated to producing and applying Danish earth pigments in industry. The first pigment-based products are expected in 2026.

Løvskal Ochre aims to revive the use of natural ochre pigments and rethink how we understand and work with color – not just as surface but as a material story with depth, origin, and long-term relevance.

The Jury says

Løvskal Ochre revives a centuries-old Danish pigment tradition by turning locally sourced, non-toxic ochre into a refined and expressive material. Extracted from unwanted sediment in the water-purification process, the pigment connects historical craftsmanship with contemporary design and industry. The project honours the raw material itself, treating it not only as a resource but as a complete aesthetic expression with a voice equal to design. Through its clarity and respect for origin, it shows how responsible processes and thoughtful materials can reshape future industries.

Løvskal Ochre stands as a reminder that meaningful design begins with the ground beneath our feet.