Renewable Materials in Product Design

Turning apple waste into furniture? Material innovation is being redefined with a groundbreaking vegan-certified leather alternative crafted from upcycled agricultural waste. This innovative material offers a premium, bio-based option that seamlessly blends environmental responsibility with practical versatility. Manufactured on wide rolls, it provides a luxurious, durable alternative to traditional leather while addressing the urgent need for eco-friendly solutions. By utilising by-products of agricultural processes, this innovation exemplifies how waste can become a cornerstone for transformative design, challenging industry norms and fostering a more circular economy. Recently, this material has been introduced in the furniture sector, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness in reducing carbon footprints. For example, when used in furniture, it achieves significant reductions in carbon emissions compared to traditional materials. This measurable impact highlights the potential of sustainable materials to advance both environmental and business objectives. Key Features of Bio-Based Materials →Transformative Origins: Converts agricultural by-products into high-quality materials. →Cross-Industry Applications: Ideal for furniture, fashion, and automotive sectors. →Design Customisation: Supports diverse finishes and textures, meeting unique design needs. →Supply Chain Transparency: Offers full traceability, ensuring ethical production and enhancing storytelling. Business Impact and ROI →Sustainability Leadership: Collaborating with material innovators demonstrates a commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. →Cost Optimisation: By utilising waste-based inputs, businesses can reduce dependence on costly, resource-intensive materials. →Market Differentiation: Offering products made with innovative materials positions companies as leaders in sustainability, appealing to a conscientious consumer base. →Carbon Reduction: Bio-based materials deliver tangible emissions savings, supporting corporate decarbonisation objectives. This innovation exemplifies how rethinking waste can drive sustainability and profitability, empowering businesses to lead in the era of bio-based innovation. Link for more info: https://lnkd.in/dmtMrnP3 #sustainability #esg #biomaterials #decarbonisation #wasteupcycling #innovation #bioeconomy #climateaction #circularity #greendesign

Around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced globally each year 🌎 As the world intensifies efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and address the environmental costs of plastic production, algae-based materials are emerging as a promising alternative. Leveraging rapidly renewable biomass like algae offers an opportunity to replace petroleum-derived plastics in a variety of consumer applications, from footwear to packaging. Algae can be cultivated or harvested from eutrophic waters where excessive nutrient pollution has triggered harmful blooms. By capturing this biomass and transforming it into usable material, this approach not only generates renewable feedstocks but can also contribute to ecosystem restoration. The process integrates environmental remediation with material innovation. However, the potential of algae-derived plastics comes with important considerations. These bioplastics often require blending with conventional polymers to achieve performance requirements, raising questions about end-of-life management and recyclability. Additionally, scaling production to meet industrial demand without triggering other ecological pressures is a complex challenge. Still, algae-based materials represent a valuable addition to the portfolio of solutions aimed at reducing plastic dependency. They offer a lower-carbon alternative, open new pathways for regenerative design, and invite cross-sector collaboration between environmental science, material engineering, and manufacturing. As innovation continues, it will be essential to assess these materials not only by their bio-content but by their full life cycle performance and circular potential. Moving away from plastics requires more than a single solution—it demands a new mindset rooted in systems thinking, environmental integrity, and material responsibility. #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange

Materials in Motion. Sustainability remains the hottest topic across the packaging value chain. With climate change becoming a global challenge, it's no longer a trend but a packaging expectation. It's time for brands to step up and do what's best for the good of their brand and the environment. Designers have become a driving force in this movement, connecting science and big ideas to drive change. At the heart of this transformation are next-gen materials—a multi-billion-pound opportunity. Materials are derived from sustainably sourced plants, algae, fungi (especially mycelium, a root-like structure of many fungal species), microbes, cultured animal cells, recycled plastic, textile feedstock, and other sustainable sources. Biomimicry approaches have been used by designers to replicate the positive aesthetic and performance properties of incumbent materials, while eliminating their negative externalities. "Packioli" is a great example—biodegradable soap packaging made from artichoke leaves and pea pods. Alara Ertenü, an industrial design student, brilliantly repurposed agricultural waste from local artichoke farms in Turkey—one person's agricultural waste is another's perfectly suitable biopolymer feedstock. Waste is freeze-dried and blended with natural ingredients, creating a sustainable material in just four days. This includes artichoke leaves, pea pods, water, vegetable glycerin, and alginic acid from brown algae. Packioli is not only water-resistant for up to a week but also features an easy-tear opening. Its versatile material can be shaped for various purposes and biodegrades in just 10 to 15 days. However, amid the influx of new materials, navigating this intricate landscape can be challenging. Emerging materials bring with them a host of questions. What are the upstream impacts of sourcing and manufacturing these alternative materials ? What about the environmental impact? How do you pick the right material for the job? It's a puzzle, for sure. The key is to align the material's function, performance, and characteristics with recycling infrastructure capabilities. Nature's certainly got some mind-blowing materials up her sleeve, especially for packaging. Could these innovations be the big break brands have been waiting for? The journey of discovery unfolds... #packagingdesign #sustainablepackaging #sustainability #sustainabledesign #productdesign 📷Alara Ertenü

🌿 Learning to Design More Sustainably: Insights from an Eco-Product Expert In the rapidly evolving fashion industry, sustainability is moving from a niche concern to a core component of product design. As an eco-product expert, my mission is to guide and inspire brands towards more environmentally friendly practices, beginning right at the design stage. This commitment to sustainability is crucial because every decision in product design reverberates through the entire lifecycle of an item. 👖 Consider the anatomy of a simple garment, such as a pair of jeans. An attached image vividly breaks down the numerous components involved: from threads, buttons, and rivets to denim, labels, and dyes. Each component is an opportunity for sustainable innovation. 🔩 Take, for instance, the button. Traditionally, jean buttons are a challenge for recycling due to their permanent attachment. By redesigning the button as a screw-on, we not only facilitate easy removal at the end of the garment's life, enhancing recyclability, but also allow the button to be reused on another item, thereby extending its lifecycle and reducing waste. 🌱 Moving to the fabric itself, denim is typically cotton-based, which is water and chemical-intensive. An alternative like hemp can drastically reduce the environmental footprint as it requires significantly less water and fewer chemicals. Incorporating such materials into designs is not just about substituting one for another; it’s about rethinking the system to prioritise ecological balance. ♻️ Consider also the leather-like labels often found on jeans. These are usually made from plastics and are purely decorative. Eliminating these and opting for water-based ink prints directly on the fabric can significantly reduce plastic use and the overall environmental impact. Similarly, shifting from conventional dyes to environmentally kinder options can mitigate pollution and enhance the sustainability of the production process. 🌍 As designers and product specialists, we have the power and responsibility to lead the charge in sustainable design. By analysing and rethinking each component of a product from an eco-design perspective, we can make profound contributions to sustainability. This approach not only helps in reducing the environmental impact but also aligns with the growing consumer demand for responsible and ethical products. 💡 By supporting innovation and challenging traditional manufacturing processes, we can transform how products are designed, produced, and perceived. As an eco-product expert, I am committed to helping brands navigate this transition, ensuring that sustainable practices are at the focus of product design and development. 🤝 Together, let's design a more sustainable future. For more insights and guidance on integrating sustainable practices into your products, feel free to reach out. #sustainablefashion  #ecodesign

🏗️ Growing the Future: 3D-Printed Mycelium Imagine buildings that grow, self-repair, and decompose naturally when no longer needed. Researchers have developed a 3D-printing method for mycelium biocomposites, eliminating the need for molds and unlocking new possibilities for sustainable, biodegradable materials. Using spent coffee grounds as a substrate, this innovation turns waste into strong, compostable structures—a game-changer for packaging, architecture, and beyond. 🤓 Geek Mode Traditional mycelium-based materials require molds, which limit design flexibility. This study introduces: Mycofluid: A 3D-printable mycelium paste made from 73% spent coffee grounds. Fungibot: A custom extruder that prints living biomaterial. Mycostructure: A process where printed parts grow together, fusing into seamless, self-supporting structures. By fine-tuning viscosity, growth conditions, and extrusion techniques, the team produced mechanically robust biocomposites. The printed objects self-colonize with fungi, creating hydrophobic surfaces that resist water while retaining biodegradability. 💼 Opportunity for VCs This technology offers a paradigm shift in materials science. It opens doors for: - Sustainable packaging that replaces polystyrene. - Biodegradable furniture and structures that grow and adapt. - Self-healing biomaterials for modular, repairable buildings. - Carbon-negative manufacturing with hyper-local supply chains. VCs investing in biofabrication, circular economy, and sustainable construction should take note—this is the frontier of regenerative materials. 🌍 Humanity-Level Impact Instead of mining, melting, or molding, we can grow what we need: 1️⃣Carbon-neutral cities, where buildings decompose instead of turning into waste. 2️⃣Mars-ready habitats, using fungi to construct and self-repair in extreme environments. 3️⃣A circular bioeconomy, where waste (like coffee grounds) fuels innovation. This isn’t just eco-friendly tech—it’s nature’s blueprint, optimized for modern fabrication. 📄 Link to original study: https://lnkd.in/gQNsTVEP #DeepTech #VentureCapital #Biomaterials #3DPrinting #CircularEconomy

Hemp hurds, particularly in their micronized form (e.g., 150 microns), are increasingly explored as a sustainable additive for 3D printing filaments and composites. When processed into fine powders, hemp hurds can be blended with polymers like PLA (polylactic acid) to create biocomposite filaments. These filaments enhance the material's strength, reduce its weight, and improve its environmental footprint. The natural cellulose content of hemp hurds contributes to the filament's rigidity and dimensional stability, making it suitable for various applications, including prototypes, tools, and consumer products. Additionally, incorporating hemp hurds into 3D printing materials reduces reliance on petroleum-based plastics, supports carbon sequestration, and leverages a renewable resource. This approach aligns with sustainable manufacturing practices while providing a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative for 3D printing enthusiasts and industries.

🔬 Bio-Based Vitrimers Enable Self-Healing, Antimicrobial Functionality, and Advanced 3D Printability🌱 Researchers have unveiled a new class of plant-based vitrimers - polymers that are not only sustainable, but also self-repairing, antimicrobial, and compatible with 3D printing technologies. Why this matter: ✅ Made from renewable raw materials ✅ No solvents or toxic catalysts required ✅ Thermally reprocessable and shape-memory capable ✅ Ideal for high-precision applications in medicine, electronics, and optics This innovation redefines what “smart materials” can be - merging functionality, safety, and environmental responsibility. #sustainability #materialsscience #smartmaterials

Here are a few exciting things in next-gen materials which have happened in April so far!🙌 1. Scientists at Imperial College London collaborated with Jen Keane, CEO of Modern Synthesis, to grow the upper part of a shoe using bacteria as an animal-free and plastic-free leather alternative and activated the production of black pigment from the bacteria, which dyed the material from the inside! Tom Ellis, Professor in Synthetic Genome Engineering, shared that this material is an environmentally preferable alternative that can be made without petrochemicals and will biodegrade safely.🙌 2. Copenhagen Fashion Week is not just setting trends but also standards in sustainable fashion! Starting next year, Copenhagen Fashion Week runways will ban collections containing virgin fur, animal skins, or feathers. Participating brands also are required to showcase products made using more sustainable materials. But will the other fashion weeks follow?💃 3. Dr Benjamin Droguet, Founder & CEO of Sparxell, and Professor Silvia Vignolini discovered ways to replicate vibrant colors in nature using plant-based cellulose. Backed by a recent $3.2 million funding round, including investments from the Circular Innovation Fund and L'Oréal, Sparxell aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of this renewable, toxin-free, and fully biodegradable resource to eliminate synthetic chemicals from colorants in cosmetics, fashion, paint, and packaging. 4. Joey 🌱 Pringle, Founder of Veshin Factory, announced new sister companies to support the scaling of next-generation materials. MATTTER, founded by Yidi Chen, provides material application tests and connects materials to brands while offering sustainability-related communication and marketing plans. LISHIN, founded by LUKE H., is driven by regenerative product design to give next-generation materials the best design applications ready for bulk production. With MATTTER and Lishin, Veshin Factory can collaborate and build successful partnerships with innovators at all stages to accelerate the transition.🤝 5. Hyosung Performance Textiles invests $1 billion towards establishing multiple Bio-BDO production plants capable of yielding 200,000 tons annually. Bio-BDO are produced by fermenting sugars derived from sugarcane, replacing traditional fossil raw materials such as coal by 100%. Powered by Geno BDO technology, this initiative not only accelerates the Materials Transition and production of sustainable materials derived from plant- or waste-based feedstocks but also offers a remarkable 90% carbon avoidance.🌎💡 For more industry news direct to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gwSRxMgU #Materialinnovation #Nextgenmaterials #Innovation #Sustainability #Fashionweek