Biomaterial companies see "explosion in interest" as sales double in a year
After being confined to small-scale experiments for years, biomaterials finally catapulted into the mainstream in 2021 according to the architects, designers and manufacturers using them as building blocks for a new low-carbon economy.
"Biomaterials used to be niche," said Regina Polanco, founder of bio-based textile manufacturer Pyratex, which has almost doubled both its sales and clients since 2020. "But we've seen a huge increase in need from big corporations."
"In the last year, there's been a real explosion in interest," agreed Jad Fink of shoe brand Allbirds, which has developed a sugarcane bioplastic sneaker foam that's now used by companies including Reebok and Timberland.
Mycelium has been used to create insulation (above, photo is courtesy of Biohm) and Adidas trainers (above) Plant-based alternatives to petroleum, concrete and steel which can sequester CO2 rather than just emitting it, have recently been backed by a wave of big-name investors, with Adidas and Hermès incorporating fungal mycelium leather into fashion pieces and BMW debuting a concept car with natural latex tyres and a steering wheel made from sawdust.
With growing investment, manufacturers have been able to ramp up their production capabilities while lowering their prices, making the range of biomaterials on offer more readily accessible and diverse.
This means thinking beyond wood, which SOM sustainability lead Mina Hasman describes as "yesterday's material&qu...
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