Category: Plastics & Biopolymers

Chitosan Bioplastics

Material From Shrimp Shells – The biodegradable material Chitosan Bioplastics was developed as a research project by industrial designers Paul Kheem and Ronny Haberer during their studies at New York’s Pratt Institute. In order to reduce global marine pollution, they use the chitin found in shrimp shells to develop a plastic alternative from it. Acetylation of the biopolymer yields[...]

Learn more

MILK MaterialLab ChitosanBioplastics PaulKheem

Vivomer

Compostable Bioplastics Made With Microorganisms – Shellworks produces Vivomer, a sustainable bioplastic made with microorganisms found in marine or soil environments. Four designers, Ed Jones, Insiya Jafferjee, Amir Afshar and Andrew Edwards of the Royal College of Art and Imperial College, developed the nature based mono-material. As a bio-based polymer, the PHA is 100% vegan and free from microplastics, while[...]

Learn more

MILK MaterialLab TheShellWorks EdJones InsiyaJafferjee AmirAfshar AndrewEdwards

Gone

Compostable Disposable Packaging – As a result of the environmental impact following sporting events, Lizzie Wright developed the concept of Gone. She was looking for a solution that would replace the plastic packaging of energy gels while being biodegradable. After consumption, athletes can throw “Gone” on the street or in nature without polluting it. The material, which consists[...]

Learn more

MILK MaterialLab Gone Lizzi Wright MILK-MaterialLab-Gone-Lizzi-Wright-9

Changhua

Loofah Bottle Packaging – During a stay in Taiwan, designer Dorian Etienne developed a bottle packaging from a regional product, the gourd plant “loofah”. The natural fibers obtained from them multiply quickly and have high durability. Since the spongy pumpkin has shock-absorbing properties, the material is particularly suitable for transport packaging. Thanks to the loofah material, the bottle[...]

Learn more

MILK MaterialLab Changhua Dorian Etienne

The Compostable Mailer

Mailing Bags Made From Corn Starch – The shipping bags from wastebased are made on the basis of corn starch and the natural PLA polymer, are completely of biological origin and therefore also compostable at home. The idea of producing a material that can be dissolved in water within seconds, leaving no environmentally harmful traces, led the British company to produce[...]

Learn more

MILK MaterialLab Wasedbased Versandtaschen MILK-MaterialLab-Wasedbased-Versandtaschen-8

Totomoxtle

Corn Material – Totomoxtle is a new type of veneer material made from Mexican corn husks. The purple, red as well as cream corn grains give a unique design to the lamps, wall coverings, cans and tables. Fernando Laposse‘s goal here is to preserve jobs and safeguard the agricultural diversity of his home country. With the declining[...]

Learn more

MILK MaterialLab Totomoxtle Fernando Laposse

That’s Caffeine

Furnishings From Recycled Coffee Scraps – Atticus Durnell recycles coffee scraps by making furnishings such as lamps, plates and even tiles from them. By pressing these remains with resin, completely biodegradable products succeed. Subsequent sealing provides individual color in addition to water and temperature resistance. The idea of the Briton gives the previously unused waste a new functionality and thus[...]

Learn more

MILK MaterialLab ThatsCaffeine Atticus Durnell

Smol Products

Soluble Films For Detergents – The detergent and dishwashing tablets from the British company Smol are encased in a water-soluble film. This variant made of polyvinyl alcohol allows the tabs to be biodegradable. The FSC certified outer packaging is not only sustainable, but also childproof. Product Name: Smol Satchels and TabsManufacturer: Smol ltd. Project Status: Concept // Prototype //[...]

Learn more

Scoby Packaging

Packaging From Organic Waste – MakeGrowLab‘s woven biowaste packaging is made entirely of cellulose, making it free of toxic pollutants, synthetic polylactides and fossil fuels. Scoby is 40 times more durable than paper and is compostable and plastic-free due to its natural ingredients. Thanks to its airtightness and water resistance, Scoby has already been able to encase shampoos, soaps,[...]

Learn more

MILK MaterialLab ScobyPackaging MakeGrowLab MILK-MaterialLab-ScobyPackaging-MakeGrowLab-10

Pinepac

Packing From Pine Needles – Pinepac, the winner of the 2017 International Packaging Contest in the Material category, is a package made of pine needles and resin. To produce them, the plants are crushed and mixed with the organic binder resin. The resulting mixture is then pressed into molds, which consist of salt, flour, sunflower oil and water. Subsequent[...]

Learn more

MILK MaterialLab PinePac Lina Petersson Arina Pauli MILK-MaterialLab-PinePac-Lina Petersson-Arina Pauli-4

MarinaTex

Packaging Substance From Fish Waste and Red Algae – Product design student Lucy Huges’ project at the University of Sussex involves developing a novel packaging solution that is sustainable and biodegradable. More than 100 experiments required the material called MarinaTex, which is made from the agar of red algae and the proteins of fish waste. The natural raw materials of the oceans are[...]

Learn more

MILK MaterialLab Marinatex Folie MILK-MaterialLab-Marinatex-Folie-2

Highlight Hemp

Luminaires From Ecological Remains – High Society Studio 5-piece lamp collection is produced exclusively from ecological leftovers. Materials are sourced from regional small businesses and processed using renewable energy. In the process, lights are created from hemp, tobacco, leftovers from viticulture or from hops as well as coffee residues. The Italian products are biodegradable and can easily be returned[...]

Learn more