#biomaterials

#biomaterials

A worldwide shift in materials science is underway as innovators deploy new technologies to create sustainable products. With people growing more aware of the world's waste and pollution problems, an expanding segment of consumers is looking for green attributes in the products they buy - choosing items that are biodegradable, are made from renewable or regenerative materials found in nature, and can be disposed of sustainably at the end of their life.

The range of materials used in manufacturing looks very different now than it did a decade or two ago. It's a lot easier to find bamboo used to make a host of items, from furniture to paper products; in 2019, luxury automaker Bentley noted that it was looking into a leather alternative made from grapes and other wine byproducts. Not every initiative pans out as planned - but when it does work, it makes for a fascinating case study in innovation and sustainability.

Fahrenheit 180º, a design collective founded by Jeremy Morris and Luca Carlisle, develops From the Tagus to the Tile, an installation exploring the potential of regenerative biomaterials in architectural surfaces. Presented in the gardens of Gulbenkian Center of Modern Art, the project reinterprets the city's traditional azulejos using produced from oyster shells and seaweed collected from the Tagus River, the Sado Estuary, and local food systems.

The Korvaa shoes represent a significant advancement in sustainable fashion, showcasing how mycelium, bacterial nanocellulose, and biodegradable plastics can be harmoniously integrated for eco-friendly footwear.