Topic: Renewable

Smart Materials – Bioplastics

Bioplastic From Food Scraps – The Smart Materials research team at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Genoa uses food scraps to make a bioplastic. To do this, they studied plant waste products such as cocoa pod shells, rice husks, and vegetables that were pulverized for use in vegetable drinks and colored pasta. Depending on the properties of the[...]

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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[...]

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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[...]

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Tômtex

Material From Chitin and Coffee Grounds – Tômtex makes leather from seafood waste and used coffee grounds. Seafood shells contain a large amount of chitin, which promotes biodegradability of the material. After preparation, the raw materials are refined with a layer of beeswax. Sealing ensures the water resistance of the material and allows individual surface texture. This allows design patterns such[...]

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Biotrem

Wheat Bran Disposable Tableware – Growing up in a family that had already been running a mill for decades, Jerzy Wysocki decided to give the residual product of grain milling, wheat bran, a use. He developed a natural material from the grain shell and a small amount of water, which is suitable for use as disposable tableware by hot[...]

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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[...]

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MILK MaterialLab Changhua Dorian Etienne

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[...]

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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[...]

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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,[...]

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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[...]

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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[...]

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KAIKU Living Color

Colors From Food Skins – KAIKU Living Color is a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-derived paints. Using food trays from vegetables that have already been eaten offers a chemical- and toxin-free option for coloring materials. For the preparation of living colors are particularly suitable avocados, beet, onions and oranges. These are boiled so that first the juice is obtained[...]

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