Sustainable Materials Process Book by Jenna Bower

Materials Research All the materials we researched and how they can be used, typical applications, etc.

Acrylic Glass derived from Sugar

Coconut Fibers

Artichoke Pulp

Cork Material

Fungus Based

Dandelion Rubber

Cotton

Carrot Fiber

Horsehair

Mycelium

Dandelion Rubber

Cork Derived

Kenaf

Orange Peel

Biosteel Silk Biopolymer

Bacterial Cellulose

Acrylic Glass derived from Sugar

Hemp

Linoleum

Pineapple Leather

Maize Cob Board

Plant Cellulose

Fibers

FIBERS

Biosteel, Silk Biopolymer “The unsolved dilemma of the textile industry is the existence of two mutually exclusive trends: On one side there is a need for ever more performance and light-weight products, while on the other hand the demand for environmentally sound solutions is constantly increasing. With the fibers available today this dilemma cannot be solved.” With its totally unique and integrated process from the pioneering protein production all the way to the fiber spinning, our Biosteel® fiber offers customers high-tech biofabrication made by AMSilk: We are the first brand to successfully commercialize the industrial biofabrication of nature-identical silk for textiles.

SUSTAINABILITY The Biosteel® process developed by AMSilk is completely produced with renewable resources. Claims to be vegan, but is actually made from the recombinant spider silk-like protein extracted from the milk of transgenic goats. Source: www.biosteel-fiber.com

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES Extremely tough A spider web made of pencil-thick spider silk fiber can catch a fully loaded Jumbo Jet Boeing 747 with a weight of 380 tons. Extremely light weight A product constructed with Biosteel® yarn can be reduced in weight by up to 30 % in comparison to products made from common fibers. Extremely skin-friendly Spider silk is anti-allergen, highly breathable and performs a perfect moisture management. It was already used in ancient times for dressings and bandages. Truly sustainable Spider silk is biocompatible and 100% biodegradable.

PRODUCTION They have been producing bulk material on a large industrial scale since 2014, and their production of biopolymers runs with bioreactors of more than 50.000 liter capacity.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS “Depending on the product application, the core benefits of the Biosteel® fiber can be individually adapted by our bioengineers. Our vision is to offer a unique set of product features and benefits. For high-performance technical solution and environmental integrity.” Biosteel can be used in fashion, footwear, home goods and interiors, automotive and apparel industries.

Biosteel is made of the recombinant spider silk-like protein extracted from the milk of transgenic goats.

FIBERS

Coconut Fibers Coconut fibers come from the fruit of the tree, not the coconut tree itself. The fruit inside the coconut is protected by the coconut fibers of the exterior shell, and this hard husk has been used in ways that exploit its hardness and durability. There are two types of coconut fibres, brown fiber extracted from matured coconuts and white fibres extracted from immature coconuts. Brown fibres are thick, strong and have high abrasion resistance. White fibres are smoother and finer, but also weaker. Coconut fibres are commercial available in three forms, namely bristle (long fibres), mattress (relatively short) and decorticated (mixed fibres). These different types of fibres have different uses depending upon the requirement. In engineering, brown fibres are mostly used.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES - Compostable - Ventilates well - Good sound insulation - Good strength - Water proof, but fibers swell in water - Relatively stiff - Good in tension

SUSTAINABILITY Coconut fibers are a rapidly renewable product with low sustainability issues.

PRODUCTION In order to get the most out of the material, it is washed, dried curled by a spinning process and then fixed by steaming. The fibers are often combined with latex rubber to form sheets of various thicknesses that can be press formed into 3D forms or die-cut into shapes.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Shoes, mattresses and upholstery. Fibers can also be covered with natural latex to add elasticity so use for shoes soles. Other applications include packing, ropes and scouring pads, and is also used as a natural-fibre reinforcement for concrete, insulation, doormats and brushes.

Since coconut fiber is an agricultural waste product from the coconut oil industry, it is not difficult to source; but prices vary. India and Sri Lanka are the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest growers and exporters of coconut.

FIBERS

Tree Bark Cloth The texture lies somewhere between paper, leather and a piece of linen. Each piece of bark is unique and handcultivated. Once chopped, the bark is softened by boiling and then beaten with wood mallets to stretch and soften the surface, after which it takes the tree about a year to regain its bark. It is made by beating sodden strips of the fibrous inner bark of these trees into sheets, which are then finished into a variety of items. Today, what is commonly called barkcloth is a soft, thick, slightly textured fabric, so named because it has a rough surface like that of tree bark. This barkcloth is usually made of densely woven cotton fibers. Historically, the fabric has been used in home furnishings, such as curtains, drapery, upholstery, and slipcovers.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES - 100% organic - Compelling consumer story - Tear-resistant against direction of the fiber - Each piece is unique - Abrasion and water resistant

SUSTAINABILITY It is manufactured without any chemicals. Only under the right conditions of rain, sun and timing can debarking occur. Tree bark returns after a year.

PRODUCTION The methods for cutting, fabrication and lamination vary and should be considered for production in the same way as other textiles.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Fashion, wall coverings, furniture and lighting. Trim and seating for car interiors. Fascia on consumer electronic products.

Approx. $38/10 sq ft. Available in a variety of thicknesses from .5mm to 2mm. Bark Cloth is harvested from certified farms in Uganda and sold by BarkTex

FIBERS

Horsehair The hair is often combined with polymers that act as fillers, thus reducing the amount of virgin material used, and these fibrous materials generally have a limited capacity to be converted into three dimensional forms. Horsehair can be used as interior cushioning or exterior fabric for furniture. It also has natural ventilation properties as well as keeping bodies warm and transferring humidity away from the body in clothing application. The use of horsehair for fishing has a wide range of applications. The most widely applied use for horsehair is in the fishing line. The hair is spun together and made into very long lines.

SUSTAINABILITY Horse hair is a rapidly renewable product with low sustainability issues.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES - Compostable - Good ventilation due to open structure - Good sound insulation - Shock and vibration absorbing - Resilient to deterioration - Anti-static - Sound + microwave absorbing - Antimicrobial and breathable

PRODUCTION In order to get the most out of the material, it is washed, dried curled by a spinning process and then fixed by steaming. Then, the fibrous material can be transformed using traditional fiber making techniques, or be mixed with resins including natural latex to provide cushioning for furniture.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Horsehair is typically used for upholstery and soles for shoes. It is also marketing as an alternative to synthetic packaging for armrests, chairs and car seats.

Moderately Priced. There are many forms of hair that can be used for industrial processes, and that can be bought purchased as semi-formed sheets and blocks from which components can be cut.

FIBERS

Nanofibrillated Cellulose

COST/SOURCES Relatively inexpensive and widely available.

Plant Cellulose Cellulose is an abundant natural resources that we have been able to identify, extract and apply to many different uses. One of the main structural constituents of plant cellulose has been used as an ingredient to make plastics for ping-pong balls, plastic sunglasses, screwdriver handles, early Kodak film stock, fibers and textiles, and paper in itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many forms. In Sri Lanka, cellulose from elephant dung is used to make Elephant Poo Paper.

SUSTAINABILITY Paper has one of the largest recycling streams of any material. However, much of the paper from Europe is sent halfway around the world to China. In addition, chemicals like bleach have to be used on recycled paper to return it to its bright white state. The manufacturing process of both virgin and recycled paper is also an extremely water intensive process.

KEY FEATURES - High stiffness, as alternative to plywood. - Economical material usage - Card-making process is still to be fully commercialized - No toxic chemicals used - Compelling consumer story

PRODUCTION Various methods are used in which cellulose fibers are formed into a cardlike material, such a press forming layers of paper together that have been filled with PLA, a biodegradable material made from maize starch or sugar cane. Heat and pressure are then used to form the sheets of paper together which produces remarkably strong parts with a lifespan of 3-4 years of heavy use, where the material can biodegradable after that.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Cellulose is typically used for making paper, compressed pulp, and within the electronics industry for making circuit boards. Apart from paper, textiles, including cotton and various forms of plastics, cellulose is also used as a filler for plastic products that need a fine finish, for various uses in food packaging, and also as a thickener for latex paints, inks and cosmetics.

FIBERS

Bacterial Cellulose Bacterial cellulose, like the ones grown and harvested by Suzanne Lee to create this BioCouture Jacket, can be produced by bacteria grown in bathtubs on kombucha tea leaves. As the bacteria digest the sugar in the tea, they spin a layer of pure cellulose, which after two to three weeks - the length of time determines the thickness of the material - results in a translucent skin, which can then be lifted from the bath, harvested and molded into shape.

SUSTAINABILITY It is an alternative to conventional, highly thirsty plants like cotton, can be composted, and can even be grown from waste.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES Non-toxic and compostable Controlled thickness Fruits and vegetables used to create color Antimicrobial No waste formed during production Single step production Compelling consumer story Not currently waterproof

PRODUCTION BioCoutour allows the bacterial cellulose to be grown and formed in the same step, reducing traditional forms of production that include more intense extraction, production and formation processes.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS The creator of BioCoutour, Suzanne Lee, says that in the future we could see bacterial cellulose in an array of different products surrounding us in our daily life, such as books, clothes and car applications.

BioCoutour is still in development stages and is not commercially available.

FIBERS

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Silk There are four types of natural silk which are commercially known and produced in the world. Among them mulberry silk is the most important and contributes as much as 90 per cent of world production, therefore, the term “silk” in general refers to the silk of the mulberry silkworm. Mulberry silk comes from the silkworm, Bombyx mori L which solely feeds on the leaves of mulberry plant.

SUSTAINABILITY Silk is towards the top of the list in terms of sustainability because of all it’s environmentally friendly key features, in addition to having a high yield rate.

High strength-to-weight ratio Optical qualities Sustainable, biodegradable, biocompatible Low thermal conductivity Edible

PRODUCTION A single cocoon can yield enough fiber to produce up to 1,000 meters (328 ft) of thread. However, beyond the traditional form of creating silk garments, different methods of exploiting silk are being explored. Processing is dependent on the form that the silk takes, which can be nano-particles, sponges, films, fibers or solid blocks.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Apart from the obvious uses of woven silk and its origins in exotic textile from Asia, Fiorenzo proposes that silk can be used for implanting into the human body to replace veins and arteries, and for compostable products and sustainable plastics.

Source: inserco.org/en/types_of_silk

Exploiting silk from silkworms is still in the development stage and not commercially available. China was at the heart of the silk route and is still the world’s largest producer of silk, followed by India.

Plant Based

PLANT BASED

Acrylic Glass from Sugar PMMA is one of the classic artificial materials with properties akin to glass that been in use since 1933. “In the future, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) - better known as acrylic glass - could be made from natural raw materials such as sugars, alcohols or fatty acids. PMMA is manufactured by polymerizing methyl methacrylate. In a bacterial strain, scientists at the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research have found an enzyme which could be used for the biotechnological production of a precursor of MMA. Compared with the previous chemical production process, a biotechnological process is far more environmentally friendly.”

SUSTAINABILITY Compared with the standard chemical production method of PMMA (plexiglass) this new process is more environmentally friendly, requiring less energy and reducing waste products.

Source: phys.org/news/2008-11-acrylicglass-sugar.html#jCp

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES Based on natural raw materials Less energy consumed for production Less waste Intended to be as clear as glass and not splinter

Tom Kohler asked each class member to email him 2 photos they took during the meeting and 3 written takeaways from the presentation so that the Emergent team members could get a sense of what people take away from their work on initial introduction to see if they’re hitting the mark.

PRODUCTION A process is currently being developed which will make it possible to industrially produce PMMA from natural raw materials such as sugar, alcohol and fatty acid. The process is based on polymerizing methyl methacrylate. Scientists have now discovered an enzyme in a bacteria strain which can serve the biotechnical production of a precursor to MMA.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Plans are currently being drawn up for the operation of a pilot program in the coming years. The long-term plan is to produce up to 10% of the current demand for MMA by biotechnical means. Microbiologists Dr. Thore Rohwerder (left) from the University of Duisburg-Essen and his mentor Dr. Roland Müller (right) from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in the laboratory. Credit: Klaus-D. Sonntag/fotoplusdesign

COST/SOURCES

PLANT BASED

KEY FEATURES

Algae Based Algae based bioplastics are still mostly in the developmental stages. However, in the future we could potentially see algae farms based offshore to harvest oil from this plant, from which a new breed of plastics can be produced. Algae are a crucial form of plant life because they create a large amount of the oxygen we need to breathe, and also act as carbon sinks to soak up the CO2 in the atmosphere. Apart from its diversity and ability to grow in diverse environments, it also has an incredibly high growth rate, making it suitable for an alternative to traditional fuels and plastics.

SUSTAINABILITY Unlike other bio based plastics, like those derived from cornstarch, algae based plastics would not affect food crops.

Biodegradable Potential alternative to petroleum-based fuels and plastics Still in development and not commercially available

PRODUCTION Details not available

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Apart from its potential applications as a biofuel and to replace petroleum based products, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more common application is as a food, which takes a number of different forms depending on the culture thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s using it, such a nori in Japan, or as a lettuce in parts of Europe. Algae have many other applications, which include their use as a pigment in natural dyes, and as a treatment for sewage, replacing artificial and potentially harmful chemicals. It has also been used as a fertilizer.

Still in the development stages and not commercially available. However, algae is a rapidly renewing plant material that is abundant around the globe. It is generally found in fresh, shallow sea water and even wastewater. There is a worry of lack of availability to the material however, due to its own natural depletion and life cycle.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Artichoke Pulp Kizis made the Eames-style chair out of artichoke thistle and a biological resin produced from cooking oil waste. The new bioplastic material provides an alternative to traditional plastics, which will become increasingly hard to come by as the world’s oil production slows down. Not only does the thistle-based bioplastic offer an ecological friendly solution — it is 100% biodegradable and can be used as a biofuel — it also provides an alternative crop for Greek farmers to grow and encourage. The artichoke thistle grows easily in the Mediterranean climate and requires little care, and could be a viable means to reinvigroate the Greek economy by creating a supply of biofuel.

Closing waste streams from the agriculture industry Compelling consumer story Texture not easily copied Unique material

PRODUCTION To make these bioplastics, oil is extracted from cardoon seeds and mixed with sunflower oil. Nothing in the plant gets wasted: the leaves and stem are burnt to produce the energy needed to run the factory, and what remains of the seeds is used in a special feed for sheep.

SUSTAINABILITY Artichoke pulp for bioplastics is sustainable in a few different ways including environmental, social and economic sustainability. Not only does the thistle-based bioplastic offer an ecological friendly solution — it is 100% biodegradable and can be used as a biofuel — it also provides an alternative crop for Greek farmers to grow and encourage.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS This technology has not been used extensively, The chair shown above is the main example of the material in use. However, this materials use could potentially expand to other furniture products and other industries as the technology expands.

Cost not available. Sourced from agricultural waste.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Cork Based Cork is an impermeable buoyant material, the phellem layer of bark tissue that is harvested for commercial use primarily from Quercus suber (the Cork Oak), which is endemic to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. Cork is composed of suberin, a hydrophobic substance and, because of its impermeable, buoyant, elastic, and fire retardant properties, it is used in a variety of products, the most common of which is wine stoppers.

SUSTAINABILITY Cork trees absorb up to 5 times more CO2 than other trees and produce a new harvest of cork bark every nine years. Each mature cork tree produces enough bark to produce 4000 bottle stoppers every nine years. The harvesting of cork takes place in the summer when the bark expands and naturally comes away from the inner layer of the tree.

Poison ratio of 0 Renewable Elastic Vibration dampening Shock dampening Impermeable to liquids Impermeable to gases Good heat insulation Takes color well

PRODUCTION Cork can be machined, routed, lathe-worked, cut using similar techniques to woodworking, and can be formed using a process similar to compression molding plastics. It can be turned into a sheet, woven as a textile and even combined with other flecks of different types of cork to make a decorative composite.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS As the Portuguese cork industry suffers as a result of corks in wine bottles being replaced with screw tops, the industry is looking for other uses and ways to diversify. Apart from placemats and craft-fair archetypes, cork is also used for dartboards, shoes liners, anti-vibration pads, handles for fishing rods, floats and furniture. One of the biggest areas of applications are in cork fabrics.

Relatively inexpensive. Portugal is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest exporters of cork and account for 60% of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production, producing over 300,000 tones a year. Spain, Algeria and Morocco are also large producers.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Cotton Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants. The area of the United States known as the South Plains is the largest contiguous cotton-growing region in the world.

SUSTAINABILITY As water resources get tighter around the world, economies that rely on it face difficulties and conflict, as well as potential environmental problems. Improper cropping and irrigation practices have led to desertification in areas of Uzbekistan, where cotton is a major export. The cotton industry relies heavily on chemicals, such as herbicides, fertilizers and insecticides, although a very small number of farmers are moving toward an organic model of production, and organic cotton products are now available for purchase at limited locations.

Comfortable Soft hand. Good absorbency. Color retention. Prints well. Machine-washable. Dry-cleanable. Good strength. Drapes well.

PRODUCTION Successful cultivation of cotton requires a long frost-free period, plenty of sunshine, and a moderate rainfall, usually from 24-47 inches. Harvested mechanically, either by a cotton picker, a machine that removes the cotton from the boll without damaging the cotton plant, or by a cotton stripper, which strips the entire boll off the plant.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS The fiber is most often spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable textile. In addition to the textile industry, cotton is used in fishing nets, coffee filters, tents, explosives manufacture (see nitrocellulose), cotton paper, and in bookbinding. The cottonseed which remains after the cotton is ginned is used to produce cottonseed oil.

Native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, Africa, and India. The greatest diversity of wild cotton species is found in Mexico, followed by Australia and Africa.

PLANT BASED

Dandelion based Rubber Continental Tire is looking to the dandelion as an alternative source of natural rubber. But Continental isn’t using just any old dandelion but a specific Russian species. This is the only dandelion that can be used as an alternative source for natural rubber production. The roots of this dandelion species contain the natural rubber latex, meaning supply will be steadier and easier to control leading to greater price stability. This crop is also much less sensitive to weather than the rubber tree.

SUSTAINABILITY Between 10 and 30 percent of a car tire includes natural rubber, while truck tires can include proportionally higher amounts. Today, natural rubber is still obtained almost exclusively from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) which can only be cultivated in what is referred to as the “rubber belt” around the equator, a fraction of the world’s land surface. Global demand for natural rubber is set to rise in the next few years and at the same time, the changing world makes it challenging to meet this demand.

Source: www.continentaltire.com

COST/SOURCES The ‘Russian Dandelion’ was discovered in Kazakhstan in 1932 by the Soviet Union in an effort to find a domestic source of rubber. Continental plans to manufacture consumer road tires made from dandelion-derived rubber within the next five to 10 years.

KEY FEATURES New raw material source Make the industry’s supply chain more resilient Undemanding plant Grows in moderate climate Makes rubber production conceivable near tire factories

American grown TKS from 1940's

PRODUCTION Continental Tire and The Fraunhofer Institute partnered to research the viability of dandelion rubber. They genetically modified the Taxagum dandelion to produce 2x what it would naturally produce in nature. Then, the natural latex from the dandelion root is extracted.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Continental Tire has produced, and tested, the first tires where the tread is made 100 percent out of dandelion natural rubber as a polymer. Between 10 and 30 percent of a car tire includes natural rubber and this is where Continental is hoping to make a difference.

PLANT BASED

Harvesting Kenaf plant in Iran in 1967.

KEY FEATURES

Kenaf It is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant growing to 1.5-3.5 m tall with a woody base. The fibres in kenaf are found in the bast (bark) and core (wood). The bast constitutes 40% of the plant. Kenaf seeds yield an edible vegetable oil. The kenaf seed oil is also used for cosmetics, industrial lubricants and for biofuel production. The main uses of kenaf fiber have been rope, twine, coarse cloth (similar to that made from jute), and paper. In California, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi 3,200 acres of kenaf were grown in 1992, most of which was used for animal bedding and feed.

SUSTAINABILITY Kenaf newsprint made for stronger, brighter and cleaner pages than standard pine paper with less detriment to the environment. Due partly to kenaf fibres being naturally whiter than tree pulp, less bleaching is required to create a brighter sheet of paper. Hydrogen peroxide, an environmentally-safe bleaching agent that does not create dioxin, has been used with much success in the bleaching of kenaf.

Rapidly renewable Good strength to weight ratio Low energy processing Versatile processing Many uses and many parts

PRODUCTION

The many uses of kenaf are a result of the ability of its fibers to be split and shredded. Beyond conventional pole structures, these fibers are also used in making textiles. As with trees and timbers, the exact properties of a piece of kenaf will depend on where the material is taken from in relation to the growth ring.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Uses of kenaf fiber include engineered wood, insulation, clothing-grade cloth, soil-less potting mixes, animal bedding, packing material, and material that absorbs oil and liquids. It is also useful as cut bast fiber for blending with resins for plastic composites, as a drilling fluid loss preventative for oil drilling muds, for a seeded hydromulch for erosion control.

Source: ccgconsultinginc.com Dried Kenaf stems

COST/SOURCES Kenaf is cultivated for its fiber in India, Bangladesh, United States of America, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Viet Nam, Thailand, parts of Africa, and to a small extent in southeast Europe.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Bamboo Bamboo has over recent year’s generated so much attention that it might be the material for the 21st century, a beacon of sustainability and a material so overused to sell the green movement that we are led to believe that anything made from bamboo must be eco-friendly. Bamboo is nature’s lightest weight material, the result of being the fastest-growing plant in the world, with some species growing 3 ft per day. Bamboo has been used in tropical and subtropical countries for centuries, with the skills of harvesting and construction beyond passed down from generation to generation. There are over 75 species.

SUSTAINABILITY It is a self-regenerating raw material. In contrast to harvesting wood from trees, which leads to intensive reforestation, bamboo regrows as soon as it’s harvested. It is over two and a half times more cost effective to convert to building materials than traditional wood and more than 50 times cheaper than steel.

Rapidly renewable Excellent strength to weight ratio Low energy processing Versatile processing Good flexing

PRODUCTION

The many uses of bamboo are a result of the ability of its fibers to be split and shredded. Beyond conventional pole structures, these fibers are also used in making textiles. As with trees and timbers, the exact properties of a piece of bamboo will depend on where the material is taken from in relation to the growth ring.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS The use of bamboo as a material is growing almost as fast as the plant itself. It has a huge variety of uses: musical instruments, shelter, architecture, flooring, furniture, scaffolding, bamboo plywood, and wind protection in farming. Its fibers can also be shredded for use in textiles.

Relatively inexpensive. Most bamboo harvesting takes place in South and South East Asia.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Rattan Rattan differ from other palms in having slender stems, 2–5 cm diameter, with long internodes between the leaves; also, they are not trees but are vine-like lianas, scrambling through and over other vegetation. Rattans are also superficially similar to bamboo. Unlike bamboo, rattan stems are solid, and most species need structural support and cannot stand on their own. Many rattans have spines which act as hooks to aid climbing over other plants, and to deter herbivores. Rattans have been known to grow up to hundreds of metres long.

SUSTAINABILITY Rattans are threatened with overexploitation, as harvesters are cutting stems too young and reducing their ability to resprout. Unsustainable harvesting of rattan can lead to forest degradation, affecting overall forest ecosystem services. Processing can also be polluting. The use of toxic chemicals and petrol in the processing of rattan affects soil, air and water resources, and also ultimately people's health. Meanwhile, the conventional method of rattan production is threatening the plant's long-term supply, and the income of workers.

Relatively lightweight Rapidly renewing Very tough Good flexing strength with resistance to splitting Durable

PRODUCTION Due to the flexibility of the long fibers, the most common form of processing rattan is weaving. Woven rattan is taken from the skin that is usually peeled from the stalk. The remaining core of the rattan can also be used in furniture making.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Raw rattan is processed into several products to be used as materials in furniture making. The various species of rattan range from several millimetres up to 5–7 cm in diameter. From a strand of rattan, the skin is usually peeled off, to be used as rattan weaving material. The remaining “core” of the rattan can be used for various purposes in furniture making. Rattan is a very good material mainly because it is lightweight, durable, suitable for outdoor use, and—to a certain extent—flexible.

Price fluctuates due to changing levels of harvesting. Most of the world’s rattan comes from Indonesia, and the rest comes from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Bangladesh. As with any natural material, there are grades of rattan based on color and flexing as opposing to brittle properties.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Hemp Concrete-like blocks made with hemp and lime have been used as an insulating material for construction. Such blocks are not strong enough to be used for structural elements; they must be supported by a brick, wood, or steel frame. However hemp fibres are extremely strong and durable, and have been shown to be usable as a replacement for wood for many jobs including creating very durable and breathable homes. The cost of hemp pulp is approximately six times that of wood pulp, mostly because of the small size and outdated equipment of the few hemp processing plants in the Western world, and because hemp is harvested once a year. Hemp plastic today is used as a reinforcing agent in injection mouldable and other forms of biodegradable bioplastics.

SUSTAINABILITY

Hemp is considered by a 1998 study in Environmental Economics to be environmentally friendly due to a decrease of land use and other environmental impacts, indicating a possible decrease of ecological footprint in a US context compared to typical benchmarks.

Relatively lightweight High strength to weight ratio Long, hollow fibers Stronger and more durable than cotton Coarse High resistance to bacteria High thermal conductivity Biodegradable Antimicrobial properties Compelling consumer story Has been called a carbon negative raw material

PRODUCTION Traditionally the hemp stalks would be water-retted first before the fibers were beaten off the inner hurd by hand; a process known as scutching. As mechanical technology evolved, separating the fiber from the core was accomplished by crushing rollers and brush rollers that would produce a nearly clean fiber.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS A mixture of fiberglass, hemp fiber, kenaf, and flax has been used since 2002 to make composite panels for automobiles. It is also used to make paper and textiles. 50-100% hemp blends are available today that may produce everything from mobile phone cases to cosmetic jars and CD cases. Many multi-nationals are now preparing injection moulding hemp bioplastic products for market.

Hemp is relatively inexpensive to source but price varies depending on where it is implemented and in what industry. Most hemp is grown in China, although it is grown in many other countries.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Wheat Straw The timber industry is crammed with examples of waste materials being reclaimed to form new coposites for building and interior applications. One company, Kirei, is providing a truly green product, reclaiming alternative, rapidly sustainable materials and using less harmful binders to develop a range of sheet materials that use tree-free, agriculturally based and environmentally friendly wheat straw and sunflower hulls combined with a resin that is formaldehyde free.

SUSTAINABILITY The manufacturers of Wheatboard state that it utilizes the waste part of the wheat, after the edible portion of the plant has been harvested, which would otherwise end up in landfills. It also does not use formaldehyde or release any VOCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s into the atmosphere.

Comparatively lightweight Rapidly renewing Emission-free resin Good surface hardness Good moisture resistance

PRODUCTION It machines and finishes well and is workable in the same way as more conventional materials but with reduced tool wear. It is also available in a variety of sheet sizes and thicknesses.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Wheatboard is an interior panel product that has all the typical applications you would expect from this type of material. Existing environments and applications include schools, hospitals, museums and other public buildings. It can also be used in non-structural interior applications including cabinets and wall partitioning.

Source: kireiusa.com/kirei-board

Wheatboard is available from US compant Kirei. Sheet prices start at $80 for 4ftx8ft.

PLANT BASED

Wheat based Bio-plastic The timber industry is crammed with examples of waste materials being reclaimed to form new coposites for building and interior applications. One company, Kirei, is providing a truly green product, reclaiming alternative, rapidly sustainable materials and using less harmful binders to develop a range of sheet materials that use tree-free, agriculturally based and environmentally friendly wheat straw and sunflower hulls combined with a resin that is formaldehyde free.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES Comparatively lightweight Rapidly renewing Emission-free resin Good surface hardness Good moisture resistance

PRODUCTION It machines and finishes well and is workable in the same way as more conventional materials but with reduced tool wear. It is also available in a variety of sheet sizes and thicknesses.

Wheatboard is available from US compant Kirei. Sheet prices start at $80 for 4ftx8ft.

PLANT BASED

Bioplastic Plant Pot by Harry Yoell

Potato based Bio-plastic Starch consists of a mixture of two polysaccharides, amylose (10-25%) and amylopectin (75-90%). Fabrication methos used for conventional plastics can also be used in processing starch, which promotes the attractiveness of this material. The starch then, is made into a semi-finished product that is widely applicable, called TPS for ThermoPlastic Starch. Even though starch dissolves in water and lacks the strength and elasticity that is expected of plastic,coatings are developed to make the material more promising. Furthermore, TPS can be mixed with regular plastic or plasticisers could be added to make the material less water-sensitive and more flexible. Starch bioplastics have some specific features. Their permeability to gases such as CO2 and oxygen is relatively low, while water vapour diffuses through the material just fine. As a result, starch bioplastics are very suitable for the packaging of food like vegetables or fruit. Source: www.projects.science.uu.nl/urbanbiology/articlepagebiop.html

KEY FEATURES

COST/SOURCES China is now the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top potato producer, followed by India, Russia, and Ukraine. The United States is the fifth largest producer of potatoes in the world.

Can be used with conventional methods Widely applicable

SUSTAINABILITY Their permeability to gases such as CO2 and oxygen is relatively low, while water vapour diffuses through the material just fine. As a result, starch bioplastics are very suitable for the packaging of food like vegetables or fruit.

PRODUCTION Starch-based bioplastics are often blended with biodegradable polyesters to produce starch. blends. These blends are used for industrial applications and are also compostable.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Other producers, such as Roquette, have developed other starch/ polyolefin blends. These blends are not biodegradable, but have a lower carbon footprint than petroleum-based plastics used for the same applications.

SpudWare Cutlery made from potatoes

Potato Starch

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Carrot Fiber More and more plants are becoming valuable sources of material innovation. Currently, 20% oil is still needed in the production of carrot composites. Dr. Hepworth and Dr. Whale produced Curran to utilize nanofibers extracted from root vegetables. The process involved chemically breaking down carrot fibers until they become a slurry. The fibers are then extracted and formed into various states from which parts can be molded.

SUSTAINABILITY Curran is produced from the carrot waste discarded by the food industry, therefore it does not compete with land crops for food.

Low temperature production Based on renewable resource High strength to weight Outstanding toughness Outstanding stiffness Compelling consumer story Limited suppliers

PRODUCTION Curran in its primary state comes in paste form, which is 93% water and 7% cellulose fibers that can be mixed with paints, coatings and resins. It is also available in a powder form, as sheets, and as loose matting.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS One of the applications that CelluComp is exploring for Curran is an additive for paints and coatings where it would work as a thickener and also enhance the mechanical properties. Shredded Curran sheets can also be used as a loose matting to put into 3D moulds and pieces can be made using vacuum molding.

The main costs are in the process to produce the composites themselves, rather than the actual fibers, which in relation to carbon or glass fibers is still a very low cost. At present, the technology is limited to UK based company CelluComp.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Mycelium Fast growing, low water consumption, compostable and a material that does not take anything out of the planet that it cannot put back. As with bacterial cellulose, mycelium can be grown exactly into the shape it is needed, cutting down one step in the manufacturing process.

Lightweight Naturally fire retardent Cushioning Low cost Good insulation Shock abdorbing Low water consumption Rapidly renewing Biodegradable Carbon neutral Compelling consumer story

SUSTAINABILITY EcoCradle has sustainability at its heart, and is direct result of looking at ways to reduce waste and use of plastics. It is fully biodegradable but take certain conditions over time to degrade properly.

PRODUCTION Because it is grown rather than manufactured, there are limited processing methods for this material. However, almost any shape can be â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;grownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in a mold in about a week.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Mycelium can be molded into a variety of shapes, but is commonly used to replace plastic and styrofoam in the shipping and packing processes. However, its uses could expand way beyond packaging, as you can see in the above design of the mycelium lamp shade and to the right as the mycelium leather purse.

Comparable or cheaper than polystyrene foams, but is currently limited to a single supplier.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES Abundant Rapidly replenishable Compostable Short lifespan Versatile

Sugarcane Sugarcane, or sugar cane, are several species of tall perennial true grasses of the genus Saccharum, tribe Andropogoneae, native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia and Melanesia, and used for sugar production. It has stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in the sugar sucrose, which accumulates in the stalk internodes. The plant is two to six meters (six to twenty feet) tall. All sugar cane species interbreed and the major commercial cultivars are complex hybrids. Sugarcane belongs to the grass family Poaceae, an economically important seed plant family that includes maize, wheat, rice, and sorghum, and many forage crops.

PRODUCTION A PVC-Free Textile Made from Sugarcane

The stalks (cane) of the plant are crushed to extract the juice, which is then concentrated through boiling, crystalized and clarified. Godoyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products are made by a form of compression molding.

SUSTAINABILITY Particulate matter, combustion products, and volatile organic compounds are the primary pollutants emitted during the sugarcane processing. Combustion products include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, CO2, and sulfur oxides.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS The main use of sugarcane is for sucrose harvesting, but several other commodities are derived. One very usable material from a designers perspective is bagasse, which is residual and woody fiber in the cane that can be used for pulp and paper products.

Relatively inexpensive. Brazil was the largest producer of sugar cane in the world. The next five major producers, in decreasing amounts of production, were India, China, Thailand, Pakistan, and Mexico.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Orange Peel This by-product of the fruit juice industry is a renewable and compostable material. Parmar has takent he pith, rind and seed waste from the orange juice industry and transformed it into a viable, rigid and mouldable material. Closing this waste stream would reduce 95,000,000,000 tonnes of waste from just Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orange production alone.

SUSTAINABILITY This process helps close a waste stream, and does not rely on additional farming. According to Alkesh, there are approximately 15.6 million metric tonnes of citrus waste per year that can be converted into new raw material. As a fruit, oranges are seasonal and therefore create a challenge for year round predictable supply.

High strength Good thermal conductor Good sound absorption Compostable High density Odour neutralizing Watertight for limited periods of time

PRODUCTION APeel can be compresion molded, cast, extruded, and if formed in a sheet can be laser cut and machined on standard wood working machines. Alkesh is also currently working on being able to rapid 3D print with the material.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Alkesh is currently being proposed for use in the construction industry as a replacement for MDF. Other applications include footwear as insoles to reduce smell. Id addition, it is being considered for cosmetic packaging, plant pots, egg cartons, and fruit trays for packaging.

Can be cheaper than other card like materials. Oranges are grown in tropical and subtropical climates, with Brazil being by far the largest producer.

PLANT BASED

Pineapple Leather Pineapple leather is a textile made from wasted pineapple leaves. It is developed by leather expert Carmen Hijosa while she was earning a PhD in Royal College of Art in London. The material is called Pi単atex, now produced by Ananas Anam, the startup owned by Carmen Hijosa. The technology of making this material is protected by patent.

SUSTAINABILITY No pineapples are harmed in the making of Pi単atex! Pi単atex fibres are the byproduct of the pineapple harvest. No extra land, water, fertilizers or pesticides are required to produce them.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES Strong, versatile, breathable, soft, light, flexible, and can be easily printed on, stitched and cut. Various thicknesses, finishes and applications (under development). The material is produced on 155cm width textile rolls. Pi単atex is tested according to ISO international standards for: Seam rupture Tear & tensile strength Light & colour fastness Water spotting Flexing endurance Abrasion resistance Resistance to ignition by cigarettes

PRODUCTION Pineapple leather can be printed on, stitched and cut just like other kind of leathers.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Footwear, fashion accessories and furnishing.

It takes around 16 pineapples to create one square meter of Pinatex, which costs around 30% less than leather and is far more lightweight. Only provided by Ananas Anam, the startup owned by Carmen Hijosa.

PLANT BASED

Bioplastics / Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) Starch can be considered as a crystalline material. When mixed with a limited amount of water and subjected to heat and shear, starch undergoes spontaneous destructuration. A homogeneous melt known as thermoplastic starch (TPS), which possesses thermoplastic characteristics, is formed.

SUSTAINABILITY TPS solve the issue of disposal of packaging materials because they are biodegradable into environmentally friendly fragments, depending on the nature of non-starch components of TPS compositions.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES TPS has low, moisture dependant, elongation at break. TPS has high high strength Thermoplastic starch structure changes with time, temperature and humidity. These changes are the greatest limitation for adoption of TPS in commercial applications.

PRODUCTION Extrusion is more practical for pilot scale or commercial production. After formation of TPS sheets or films final shaping may be by thermoforming. Formulations often require inlets for plasticiser, filler or other additives along the extruder barrel.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Due to the inherent biodegradability of starch materials they are allied mostly to packaging as films or sheet that can be subsequently shaped by thermoforming into custom packaging requirements. Starch are most suited for packaging of dry products., otherwise there will be a diffusion transfer and equilibrium established between the TPS package and its contents. TPS foams are suited for damping impacts to protect fragile products.

Lower than PLA. Thermoplastic starch currently represents the most widely used bioplastic, constituting about 50 percent of the bioplastics market.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Polylactic Acid Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a bioplastic generally derived from animal-feed corn that can be used for a myriad of different purposes including cold drink cups, deli and takeout containers, and fresh produce packaging. The technology is based on a method of extracting the carbon from plants, which the plants, in turn, have removed from the air through photosynthesis. Carbon is stored in plant starches, which can be broken down into natural plant sugars. The carbon and other elements are then used to make PLA.

SUSTAINABILITY PLAs are biodegradable and compostable releasing 60% less greenhouse gases and using 50% less non-renewable energy than traditional plastics, such as PET and PS. The main issues with this first generation of bioplastics are the use of foodstock and land as the raw material.

Annually renewable Low odour; not produce toxic fumes if incinerated Compostable but only in a commercial composting facility Good clarity Good stiffness Good surface finish Low durability

PRODUCTION PLA can be processed using a range of standard plastic forming techniques, including foaming extrusion, injection molding, thermoforming and calendaring.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Credit Cards, Blow-molded water bottles, casing for various consumer electrics, water-based emulsions, clothing, carpet tiles, rigid and flexible films for thermoformed food and beverage containers.

These materials are still not economically competitive with petroleum-based plastics. The raw materials from which PLA is extracted includes potatoes, corn and sugar cane. Widely available from multiple suppliers under multiple brand names.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Bioplastics / Polyhydroxybutyerate (PHB)

Similar property profile to PP Low Oxygen diffusion UV stability Biocompatible qualities High fracture suscetibility PHB melts at temperatures above 130ยบC

Polyhydroxybutric acid is a nontransparent biopolymer. In particular its tensile strength is comparable with that of polypropylene. PHB is a thermoplastic and melts at a range of 170-180ยบC, which means it can be processed using the methods customarily employed in the plastics industry. As a material, it has constant properties at a temperatures between -30 and +120ยบC. It is insoluble in solvents or water and remains stable when exposed to ultraviolet light. On account of its biocompatible qualities PHB can be used to produce medical products. A disadvantage compared with polypropylene is its high fracture susceptibility. To enhance its mechanical properties PHB is mixed with other substances such as cellulose acetate, cork or inorganic materials to produce blends.

PHB can be processed using the techniques typically employed in the plastics industry. These include injection molding and extrusion. Owing to the danger of depolymerization a processing temperature of 195ยบC should not be exceeded. Very rapid processing speed can be achieved thanks to the clear transition from fluid to solid. Deforming techniques are difficult given the high fracture susceptibility.

SUSTAINABILITY

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

- Based on renewable resources - Biodegradable without harmful residues

It is expected that polypropylene will be replaced by PHB in several sectors in coming years. Extensive application options are envisaged primarily in the automotive field, in the consumer goods industry, and in packaging. Depending on the mixing proportions PHB blends can also be used as adhesives or hard rubber.

PRODUCTION

Maximum production of PHB was obtained with cane molasses and glucose as sole carbon sources (40.8, 39.9 per mg cell dry matter, respectively). The best growth was obtained with 3% molasses, while maximum yield of PHB (46.2% per mg cell dry matter) was obtained with 2% molasses.

PLANT BASED

Bioplastics / Vegetable Oils Aside from starch, cellulose and lignin, vegetable oils can also provide the raw material or bioplastics and enable the biobased production of polyamides for technical products, resins for fiber compounds or foam. Bio-based polyamides Polyamides are among the classic thermoplastic plastics that thanks to their properties lend themselves to various applications in the technical field. Bio-based polyamides, whose production principle has been known for 50 years, can compete with petroleum-based polyamides. Seen across their entire lifecycle they have a more favorable CO2 footprint than comparable petrochemical polyamides. Bio-based soft foams The lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share of soft foam is made using the combined system. Polyols and isocyanates form the basis, to which additives and water are added and made to react. At the end of conveyor belt the foaming mixture is cut into blocks and shaped. Bio-based resins The monomers needed to produce polyester resins can also be manufactured using renewable resources. Intensive research is currently being conducted into the development of these biobased resins.

SUSTAINABILITY Based on renewable resources Not always biodegradable

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Lupranol is the brand name of a polyol for the manufacture of soft foams, which was brought to market in 2008 and has a 31% proportion of viscous castor oil. Envirez is the brand name of the first unsaturated polyester resin on the market that contains a 25% proportion of renewable resources such as soya oil (13%) and grain-based ethanol (12%).

Lupranol is the brand name of a polyol for the manufacture of soft foams, which was brought to market in 2008 and has a 31% proportion of viscous castor oil.

PLANT BASED

Bioplastics / Tomato Researchers at Ford and Heinz are investigating the use of tomato fibers in developing sustainable, composite materials for use in vehicle manufacturing. Specifically, dried tomato skins could become the wiring brackets in a Ford vehicle or the storage bin a Ford customer uses to hold coins and other small objects.

SUSTAINABILITY Success in developing a new more sustainable composite could reduce the use of petrochemicals in manufacturing and reduce the impact of vehicles on the environment.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Still in production phase and not commercially avavilable.

Created through a partnership Closes a waste stream Compelling consumer story Limiting demand for petrochemicals

PRODUCTION The skins were found to contain more than 80% fiber, the majority of it insoluble fiber, formed by hemicelluloses. The peel also had rutin, naringenin, chlorogenic acid, and lycopene. The researchers concluded: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Due to its chemical profile and functional properties, tomato peel fiber can be used as a food supplement, improving the different physical, chemical, and nutritional properties of foods.â&#x20AC;?

Dr-Ellen-Lee-Ford-Bioplastics

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Vehicle wiring brackets and storage bins, from fabric to packaging. Ford and Heinz researching the potential of new bioplastics could also lead to other inadvertent discoveries, sometimes known as happy accidents. Such collaboration often is what generates new ideas and insights.

Raw-Tomato-Pomace

PLANT BASED

Bioplastics / Agave Ford Motor Company and Jose CuervoÂŽ are exploring the use of agave plants to develop a sustainable bioplastic material to incorporate in vehicles, giving the agave fiber byproduct a second chance at usefulness

SUSTAINABILITY Success in developing the sustainable composite could reduce the weight of car parts, helping to improve fuel economy; the new material could alleviate the use of petrochemicals, decreasing the overall impact of vehicles on the environment

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Vehicle interior and exterior components such as wiring harnesses and storage bins.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Castor Oil As the world looks beyond petrochemicals to create plastic products, one of the sources it is looking to is castor oil, a substance that in popular knowledge it thought of as a laxative. Castor oil is a viscous liquid extracted from the seeds of the castor plant and is one of the most widely used vegetable oils. It was not so long ago that bioplastics were associated with flimsy, throwaway items like disposable cutlery and packaging, but renewable plastics have a come a long way in a short time.

SUSTAINABILITY The wide usage of castor oil conflicts with the castor plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s toxicity, which includes alkaloids, glycosides, various resins and volatile oils and is therefore dangerous for crop workers. Some cities and states in the USA are even trying to ban the ornamental use of castor bean plants. As if those concerns arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bad enough the plant is also used to produce ricin, a toxic ingredient that is used for chemical and biological weapons. In terms of its use as a biofuel, castor oil is fairly unusual in that it does not need heat to convert into biodiesel, therefore it is less energy intensive.

Tough High strength Low friction Good resistance to wear and tear Drought resistant Easy to grow Transparent grades available Limited chemical resistance Compelling consumer story

PRODUCTION It is easy to process using conventional thermoplastic techniques, including injection molding, blow molding, rotational molding and extrusion. It can also be enhanced with countless fillers, such as glass and various colorants. It can also be extruded into a tough fiber for textile applications.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Apart from its common association as a laxative and its other healing properties, castor oil has more than 700 derivatives and uses ranging from lubricants to cosmetics for making soaps, and now, of course, as a source for the plastic industry. The main application area of this renewable form is in engineering, or other demanding applications that require enhanced mechanical properties in comparison to commodity plastics.

Castor oil commands a higher price than other similar seed oils such as sunflower and canola. Apart from its popular use as ornament, the castor plant is common in tropical climates, such as Brazil and India.

PLANT BASED

Bioplastic / Soybean Soy Based Plastics Soy based plastics use another alternative material used for biodegradable plastics. Soybeans are composed of protein with limited amounts of fat and oil. Protein levels in soybeans range from 40-55%. The high amount of protein means that they must be properly plasticized when being formed into plastic materials and films. The films produced are normally used for food coatings, but more recently, freestanding plastics (used for bottles) have been formed from the plasticized soybeans.

SUSTAINABILITY Ford has expanded its use of soy-based products to rubber. By using renewable soybean oil to replace 25% of the petrochemicals in rubber, Ford researchers more than doubled rubberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stretchability and reduced its environmental impact. Soy-based rubber parts, such as radiator deflector shields, air baffles or deflectors, cup-holder inserts, and floor mats, may be installed in future Ford vehicles.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES Non-toxic, non-hazardous epoxidized soybean oil is available as a cost-effective secondary heat stabilizer and a co-plasticizer in flexible polyvinylchloride (PVC) applications. It can also serve as an acid scavenger; a pigment dispersion agent; a monomer compatibilizer and a chemical intermediate.

PRODUCTION

Both compression and injection molding processes can use soy protein plastics.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Ford has taken advantage of the soy protein plastics and has been using it to manufacturer parts for automobiles (Mohanty, 2004).

PLANT BASED

COST KEY FEATURES

Latex Latex is the sap of plant derivative, extracted from the milky juice of several rubber-yielding plants, including the rubber tree. The properties of latex vary depending on the type of tree it’s taken from; the tree’s location, age, surrounding climate and the method used for tapping all paly a part. Apart from being raw material for many products, latex is also the commercial base for the production of natural rubber.

SUSTAINABILITY As a thermoset material, it cannot be remelted; however, latex and most other forms of rubber is often achieved by grinding down products into crumbs and granules to be used as fillers in other products. Depending on conditions, the rubber tree takes five to ten years to reach maturity, that is, the stage when tapping can be started. The typical rubber content of the yield from tapping a tree includes anything from 20 to 50% actual rubber.

Rapidly renewable Excellent resilience and tensile strength Excellent adhesion Low chemical and UV resistance Antimicrobial Unlikely to result in allergic reaction Decomposes in landfills.

PRODUCTION Natural rubber can be formed in different ways. It can be applied to a mold as liquid in dip forming – think of condoms – it can also be cast into solid pieces in a mold, and it can be foamed.

SOURCES Natural rubber is obtained almost exclusively from Hevea brasiliensis, a tall softwood tree indigenous to tropical and subtropical countries. Asia is by far the largest producer of natural rubber, with Malaysia also being a big producer.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Pencil erasers, Mattresses and cushioning, Condoms, Balloons, Surgical gloves, transportation.

According to the international Rubber Study Group, the price of natural rubber fluctuates considerably; In 2009 it reached $1800 per tonne. In 2011 it reached $5251 per tonne.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES Rubber tree.

KEY FEATURES

Natural Rubber Natural rubber consists of natural caoutchouc, water and sulfur. It has outstanding elastic properties. Strips made with it can sometimes be stretched to ten times their original length. The natural product is very resilient, which is why it is used in almost all rubber blends for tires.

High degree of elasticity Amber color Sticky when wet Rubber tends to age and become brittle Susceptible to fungi

SUSTAINABILITY

- Based on renewable raw materials - Biodegradable

PRODUCTION Currently, rubber is harvested mainly in the form of the latex from the rubber tree or others.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Natural rubber are used in balloons, condoms, gloves and textiles as well as in technical products such as tires, rubber springs, membranes, engine mountings and seals.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES Widely available.

KEY FEATURES

Lignin After cellulose, lignin is the second most common biopolymer found in nature. For industrial use lignin is extracted in a boiling process from wood shavings and fibers and, for example, blended with methanol and hydrochloric acid to form a resin-like substance. Blends with lignin as a component have good mechanical properties and a high degree of rigidity. Lignin is brownish in color.

SUSTAINABILITY - Derived from renewable raw materials - Lignin replaces synthetic adhesive in the vibration welding process

Good mechanical properties High degree of rigidity Brownish coloring Duroplastic qualities

PRODUCTION The processing qualities are comparable to those of wood. In recent years a vibration welding process was developed, in which two surfaces that are to be joined are rubbed together at a frequency of 100 Hz under pressure such that the lignin in the wood structure melts at temperatures between 180-230ยบC. The lignin then functions as a natural adhesive in the pores of the wooden components, which subsequently joints these securely together as it cools.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Nowadays, lignin-based plastics are used to make houses, vehicle dashboards, buttons and toys, etc.

PLANT BASED

COST/SOURCES Discarded papers can be found anywhere.

KEY FEATURES

Paper Bricks Paper is among the most produced and most discarded materials in the world. It can be recycled, but not indefinitely: with every cycle the fibres grow smaller and the quality downgrades. ‘Paper Bricks’ are made from recycled newspapers. Sturdy and stackable like real bricks they combine a pleasing marbled look with the warmth and soft tactility of paper or wood.

SUSTAINABILITY Paper is among the most produced and most discarded materials in the world. It can be recycled, but not indefinitely: with every cycle the fibres grow smaller and the quality downgrades. ‘Paper Bricks’ are made from recycled newspapers. Sturdy and stackable like real bricks they combine a pleasing marbled look with the warmth and soft tactility of paper or wood.

paper brick have a warm and soft tactility of paper. The material is easy to make by anyone.

PRODUCTION Collected recycled papers can be turned into pulps, mixed with glue, and then shaped into bricks. They can be cut and combined together to make furnitures.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Woojia Lee, through his product Paper Bricks achieves sustainable means to produce a long lasting material. The bricks are used in furniture design.

PLANT BASED

Newspaper Wood

KEY FEATURES Pretty patterns

NewspaperWood reverses a traditional production process; not from wood to paper, bit from paper to wood. When a NewspaperWood log is cut, the layers of paper appear like wood grain or growth rings of a tree and therefore resemble the aesthetics of real wood.

Can be manufactured like traditional wood

SUSTAINABILITY

COST/SOURCES

Giving newspaper a new life as an ingredient of a material, rather than just recycle and degrade it.

NewspaperWood is the result of a 2003 project of Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Mieke Meijer. After partnering with Vij5 in 2007 and the presentation of the material at its infancy in 2011, they recently decided to join forces in a new company to take the material to the next level.

PRODUCTION

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Typical applications Car interior Watch Lamp Furnitures

Animal Based

ANIMAL BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Bovine Leather It has a rich, warm and distinctive odor, a naturally and individually grained surface pattern, and it even makes a sound when being broken in. There are lots of variables to be considered when choosing leather for different applications. Things like breeding, age and care of the animal are all factors.

SUSTAINABILITY The environmental impact of leather is huge. There are hazardous chemicals used in tanning process and there is also the impact of livestock and effluents from production. The de-hair process uses caustic lime and the tanning process can also involve hazardous chemicals such as chromium.

Rich associations Its characteristics are enhanced with age Water repellent Can provide a good grip

PRODUCTION The production of leather involves three main stages: skinning and preparation, tanning and finishing. Corrected grain leather is a process whereby an artificial grain is applied to a hide to achieve a consistent texture.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS It might be easier to start where there arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t any typical applications. Leather is in everything from handbags to co-injection moldings with plastics in luxury mobile phones.

Widely available. The cost varies vastly depending on labor costs for production, type and quality of leather, and the size of the hide in relation to imperfections. There is also the issue of waste owing to awkward shape of a cow, which means that using a hide will result in lots of small, unusable offcuts.

ANIMAL BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Fish Leather Strength is on the the distinguishing features of fish leather, and is due to the cross â&#x20AC;&#x201C;fiber structure which is unlike bovine leather, in which the fibers run only in one direction. This natural cross-fiber pattern makes fish leather stronger than other leathers.

Comparatively high tensile strength Comparatively high resistance to tearing Water repellent Eco chic association Breathable Characteristics are enhanced with age

SUSTAINABILITY Fish leather should be source from certified sources, and fish should not be from endangered species. None of the fish used for leather are on the endangered species list and, according to suppliers, are products from commercial fisheries.

PRODUCTION Three main stage: skinning and preparation, tanning and finishing. Fish leather can be processed in the same way as bovine leather.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Application areas are similar to those of bovine leather and range over everything from shoes to furniture.

Moderately priced. Sourcing of fish come from every corner of the planet, from both saltwater and freshwater.

ANIMAL BASED

COST/SOURCES The material is not currently available commercially.

KEY FEATURES

Fish Scales The London designer Erik de Laurens is responsible for one of the most bizarre recent developments. It was based on a discovery he made during a development aid project in a Cape Town township. Mr. de Laurens was able to make a material out of fish scales that could be used to produce moulded parts like goggle frames and drinking cups by means of applying heat and pressure without the need of a binder. In doing so, he made a discovery that could play an important role in the transition from petro-based to bio-based chemistry.

Good strength Feels like plastic Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t smell or feel like fish Dissolves in water Can be easily colored Unique visual marble effect Compelling consumer story Compostable

SUSTAINABILITY This project goes beyond the green credentials of many materials of this type by being made from 100% fish scales, the by-product of a secondgeneration waste stream.

PRODUCTION Compression molding. Although scales vary enormously in size, shape and color any type of fish scale can be used as long as the size of the scales exceeds around 5 mm diameter.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Apart from the beaker, Erik has explored glasses and proposes other non-durable and disposable items such as picnic products, which can be left on the ground to decompose after their use.

ANIMAL BASED

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Protein Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s estimated that six million chicken are killed daily to supply the food industry in North America. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australian state of Victoria is exploring ways to turn the chicken feathers from this vast amount of waste into plastic. The main ingredient that researchers are extracting is protein from which to create plastic. The process works by breaking down the feathers into small pieces and using heat to break down the proteins and then link them together in a polymerization process, forming longer chain and a rigid structure.

Alternative to petrochemical-based plastics Transparent Brittle Biodegradable

SUSTAINABILITY Animal protein are subject to stiff regulations. Beef producers took an economic hit when by-products such as blood and bone were regulated out of the rendering process after BSE was found in Canada, for fear the material contained deadly prions, infectious proteins that cause BSE, commonly known as mad cow disease.

PRODUCTION Early tests have shown that vacuum forming, extrusion, compression molding and blow molding are all potential methods of forming this material.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Feather-based plastic could be used for all kinds of products, from plastic cups and plates to furniture. In addition to making use of feathers that would otherwise end up in landfills, it is highly biodegradable.

The material is not currently commercially available, it is still in development.

Special Wood Materials

W O O D M AT E R I A L S

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Themo-HygroMechanically Compacted Wood Thermo-mechanical compaction has proved its worth in increasing the mechanical properties of solid wood or technical applications of solid wood for technical applications. At temperatures of 140ยบC and under 5 MPa of pressure, the strength of domestic coniferous wood can be considerably increased, such that it can be sued for a wide range of load-bearing functions.

SUSTAINABILITY This process sees wood as cellular material, without damage to the cell structure and can be reversed and set. Also, this save materials compared with round wood and requires less energy than the manufacture of wood-fiber materials.

Clearly increased rigidity High density 80% less material used for shaped wooden tubes very weather resistant

PRODUCTION Mechanical-compassion takes pace at temperatures above the softening point of lignin. Heating it to a temperature of over 200ยบC also causes increase in its biological resistance. In the process, the wood is compacted to less than half its original volume, and the strength and rigidity are increased considerably.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS The principle is primarily used in the manufacture of load-bearing structures. Thermo-hygro-mechanically shaped wooden profiles can be used in the building industry and architecture, in lightweight and model construction, as well as packaging industry.

W O O D M AT E R I A L S

Heat Treated Natural Wood When exposed to moisture, wood will experience swelling and shrinking. One possible technique for positively influence the effects is heat treatment in hot oil (170-250 Â°C). As result of this treatment, which takes 24 -48 hours, the cell structure changes to such an extent that water absorption and the moisture content equilibrium are significantly lowered. The swelling behavior of heat-treated wood is reduced by about 50%.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES Lower water absorption Very high demensional atability Dark coloring fungal resistance good acoustic properties

SUSTAINABILITY

Local species replace tropical wood Less energy consumed in procurement Increased durability by reducing crack formation.

PRODUCTION Treated wood can be processed with normal wood processing techniques.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Treated wood can be found in garden and landscape architecture and spa areas, and facade cladding. solid timber flooring, toys, playground equipment and decking.

Composites

COMPOSITES

Cork Polymer Composite (CPC) CPCs consists of cork particles, fixed in a compound of polyvinyl acetate, TPE or soft PVC. The thermoplastic bonding material lends the CPC interesting properties and a special tactile quality. Depending on the application, CPCs contain between 20-80% cork.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES Interesting tactile quality Adjustable flexibility Noise and vibration-reducing Thermoplastic processing qualities Water-impermeable Rot-resistant

SUSTAINABILITY Based on renewable raw materials Degradable if a crude oil-free matrix product used Can be recycled

PRODUCTION CPC granulate can be processed in extrusion or injection molding plants. It can be thermally shaped, but other typical wood-processing methods can also be used.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS The outstanding noise and vibration-reducing properties make CPC biocomposites suitable for a wide range of sports articles and orthopedic products. It is also used for furniture, lamps and vases. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even used as wash basin of particular interest.

COMPOSITES

Coconut Composite Coconut wood has no annual rings. As the wood is significantly harder at the periphery of the trunk than on the inside, it is used for material production. Coconut wood only shrinks and swells minimally and is harder than oak. Coconut wood Composites consists of a 12-18 mm thick MDF-core, to which coconut wood is applied.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES Very hard outer layer density > 800 kg/m3 Structure without growth rings Dimensional stability High bending strength

SUSTAINABILITY Based on renewable raw materials Prevention of deforestation of tropical rainforests

PRODUCTION Conventional timber processing technology can used for coconut wood, and oils are used to create an especially intense color.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS The material composites are made into furniture surfaces and are used in interior design, for example for parquet flooring, lamps, vases, dishes and accessories.

COMPOSITES

Almond Composite In addition to wood and cork, other plant particles and fibers such as almond and nut shells can be used to make materials sufficiently rigid for furniture production. A recycle mixture of ground almond shells which consist predominantly of cellulose, is processed to desired shape in molding presses. Almond polymer composites with a crude oil-free matrix material can be easily composted and recycled.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES High strength and durable Homogenous surface structure Airtight Thermoplastic processing properties Compostable Recyclable

SUSTAINABILITY Replace wood with plant waste products Raw material rows more quickly than wood biodegradable with crude oil-free resin matrix

PRODUCTION Almond polymer composites can be processed with methods typically used in the timber industry such as sawing, milling and gluing. The fine structure can be individually coated in screen and pad printing.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Almond polymer composites are used in furniture manufacture and as a coating material in interior design. As it is airtight, it was developed initially for the high-quality surface structure of coffins, which are intended to subsequently decompose in the earth.

COMPOSITES

Wood Polymer Composite WPCs are often referred to as liquid wood. They consist of wood fibers, a plastic matrix and various additives. The proportion of wood fiber is generally between 50-90%. As the latter has no fiber direction in the subsequently shaped product, liquid wood has an even property distribution.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES Thermoplastic Even property distribution High degree of rigidity adn bending strength Good moisture resistance Very stable Acoustic qualities

SUSTAINABILITY

Based on renewable materials Substitute for tropical woods in outdoor use Crude oil-free matrix materials are biodegradable

PRODUCTION Wood polymer materials can be processed using typical plastic processing techniques such as injection molding, extrusion, compression molding and thermoforming. Due to the wood content the maximum processing temperature should not exceed 200ยบC.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS The use of WPCs is of interest when ever complex geometrical shapes with a wooden appearance are needed. Typical products are castings for electronic devices, handles, furniture, outdoor ground surfaces, bio-urns, fashion accessories and building components for vehicle interiors. In building interiors they are used for skirting boards and shelving systems.

COMPOSITES

KEY FEATURES

Linoleum

SUSTAINABILITY

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Linoleum is manufactured from linseed oil and natural resins. sawdust, lime powder and natural color pigments. It is widely available as a floor covering. It is manufactured by heating the raw materials, then spreading these on a base material such as jute. Given its high resistance to oils and fat, Linoleum is highly durable. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to clean and can be composted when no longer needed.

Very durable Anti-bacterial Non-slip Sensitive to moisture

Based on natural raw materials Compostable

PRODUCTION To install linoleum floors, the wood or concrete base must be prepared. Wood floors have to be sanded to a smooth and level finish while concrete floors have to be completely dry and solid.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Linoleum has long been a favorite with architects and designers for flooring and tabletops on account of its interesting structure and the fact that it is easy to color. The property profile makes it especially suitable for rooms with high hygienic requirements (not wet rooms).

COMPOSITES

Maize Cob Board With their foam-like core structure, maize cobs processes positive heat insulation properties and gave so far had no industrial use. Moreover, they have low density and can withstand mechanical pressure, especially in an axial direction. Being a by-product, maize cobs are available inexpensively in large quantities. Similarly durable to particle board, maize cob boards are suitable for furniture, interior fittings and door construction. They are approx. 50% lighter than conventional wood fiber panels.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES

Mostly sourced from agricultural waste, corn cobs and cassava plant fibers. Relatively inexpensive.

No previous industrial use for maize cobs Density: 150-300 kg/m3 High durability in axial direction Similar qualities to particle board Good heat insulation

SUSTAINABILITY Use of agricultural by-products 50% lighter than particle board Good heat insulation

PRODUCTION Processing methods are being tested and will need to be competitive with those commonly used for timber processing. The dissection of maize cobs is still problematic, as is the binding of the middle layer.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS The aim of current research is to qualify maize cob board as a biological light-construction panel for furniture and interior design.

Tannin bonded agricultural waste corn cobs and cassava plant fibers.

Additional

M AT E R I A L S

Green Cast Acrylic Green Cast, made by Madreperla, is the world’s first and only 100% recycled cast acrylic sheet. At Madreperla S.p.A., the maker of Green Cast, sustainability has been built into their business model since 1959. As a company, they have invested in technologies allow us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint, while perfecting a process of regeneration of PMMA waste, which is then use to make Green Cast cast acrylic sheets.

SUSTAINABILITY

Every product is 100% recycled and 100% recyclable and has the same extraordinary look and performance as Madreperla’s virgin acrylics. - Made from 100% recycled raw materials (recycled Methyl methacrylate monomer) and can be recycled over and over again. - Complies with ISO 7823.1 - VOC- and HFC-free - Uses less water and generates less carbon dioxide than the virgin cast acrylic sheet production process - Produced with synthetic Monomer (MMA), which significantly reduces the carbon foot print.

COST/SOURCES KEY FEATURES 100% recycled 100% recycable VOC free Closing waste stream Reduce raw materials Lower carbon footprint Less water usuage than raw PMMA material Comparable strength to glass window

PRODUCTION PMMA products are collected at end of life, brought back to a liquid state through depolymerization, distilled to remove impurities, and then distilled acrylic is made into R-MMA (recycled), and Green Cast acrylic sheets are formed.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Acrylic’s properties lend it to a wide range of jobs, and one of the most common is as an alternative to glass. Often called safety glass, acrylic glass can be used in greenhouses as it is light and durable so will be able to resist effects of the weather and also give peace of mind to the owner. As well as its broader uses, acrylic is also found in the form of small household objects such as sun visors, footwear, hosing, packaging, and piping.

Would need to contact for a quote. As well as all its properties and uses, acrylic is fairly affordable, which is why it is used for so many tools and objects. This is especially useful to businesses that may need large quantities, so it saves them money over a long period of time.

M AT E R I A L S

Steel

Source: materia.nl/article/mestic-bioplastic-made-cow-dung

Description Steel strikes the balance between strength, easy forming and being very cheap. It is a raw material from which a whole range of derivatives, with different nuances, can be formed. Steel is obtained by alloying iron with small amounts of carbon. It is the inclusion of carbon in varying degrees and the way oxygen is allowed to escape during processing that determines the properties of the vast number of grades of steel that can be formed. These steel grades can be broadly split into two main groups: carbon steels and alloy steels. Key features: Tough Comparatively low energy used to form Low cost High weight Corrodes Recyclable Typical application: Mild steel is used a lot in structural elements in building, for example I-beams and for reinforcing. Medium carbon steel is used in heavy industry for railway tracks. High carbon steels are used for various cutting tools such as chisels and drill bits. Source According to the US Geological Survey in 2011, world steel consumption was expected to be 1398 million tones.

M AT E R I A L S

Copper

Description Copper is a raw ingredient, which, thorough pairing with other metals, can be tailored to specific properties for far reaching applications. Today, one of the major uses of copper is as an electrical conductor. Along with silver, copper has by far the highest thermal conductivity rating â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the speed at which heat and cold are transmitted through a material. Key features Good resistance to corrosion Ductile and malleable so easy to work Excellent electrical and thermal conductor Tough Alloy well with other metals Antimicrobial Capable of good surface finish Recyclable Typical application Roofing, wire for carrying electricity and motor windings, carrying water, cooking and jewelry. It is also the basis for brass and bronze. Source Although copper can be found freely in nature, the most important sources are the minerals cuprite, malachite, azurite, chalcopyrite and bornite.

Source: materia.nl/article/mestic-bioplastic-made-cow-dung

M AT E R I A L S

Manure Bioplastic Designer Jalila EssaĂŻdi and her team at Project Mestic in the Netherlands have patented methods to turn the dung into bioplastic, -paper and -textile. This is achieved by completely deconstructing the manure and by utilising the cellulose to make biomaterial products. The manure is collected at the farm of origin and treated in such a way that allows for the extraction of the right components, both from the liquid and solid fraction of manure. An optional step is to extract the fermentable components and use them to manufacture the process chemicals necessary for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pulpingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and acetylation. The pulping and acetylation turns the cellulose that is extracted from the solid fraction of the manure into high-grade cellulose pulp and bio-plastic.

Source: materia.nl/article/mestic-bioplastic-made-cow-dung

M AT E R I A L S

Source: materia.nl/article/mestic-bioplastic-made-cow-dung

Airless Tires The announcement that Bridgestone was developing an “airless” or non-pneumatic tire for the passenger vehicle market sparked the interest of many drivers. Although this prototype is still being developed, the future looks bright for this revolutionary tire. No part of a non-pneumatic tire ever needs to go in the garbage, which goes hand-in-hand with Bridgestone’s effort to create a “cradle-to-cradle” system in which all tires are first recycled and then factory-refashioned into new tires. Benefits of Airless Tires: - No flats - Recyclable - Reduced CO2 emissions

M AT E R I A L S

‘Water Is Life’ Water Filter In partnership with Dr. Theresa Dankovich from Carnegie Mellon, WATERisLIFE introduced The Drinkable Book™, the first-ever manual that provides safe water, sanitation and hygiene education and serves as a tool to kill deadly waterborne diseases by providing the reader with an opportunity to create clean, drinkable water from each page. The filter pages were able to bring the level of E coli in treated water down to less than 10 colony-forming units (CFU) per 100ml from an initial value of approximately 200,000 CFU per 100 ml. Further field testing campaigns with the non-profit organisation, WATERisLIFE, in northern Ghana and Bangladesh suggest that the silver-doped paper can remove up to 99.9% of the E coli bacteria present in a sample.

Source: waterislife.com/clean-water/new-technology

Contact Information

Jenna Bower, MFA Candidate Design for Sustainability Yu-Chu Chen, MA Candidate Industrial Design Savannah College of Art and Design Team PurePod

Purpose To either re-design an existing product or design a new product from 100% sustainable materials.

Problem Statement There is a lack of access to proper sanitation in homeless and displaced communities.

Opportunity Statement How might we provide access to proper sanitation to homeless communities in a more sustainable way?

MISSION + WORD BANK

PURE clean fresh anew

POD safe shell protect

PurePod’s mission is reflected in it’s name: a space where people can feel safe and protected and leave feeling clean, fresh and anew.

Value Proposition Canvas What are the gain creators and pain relivers created by PurePod?

VA LU E P R O P O S I T I O N C A N VA S

GAIN CREATORS

GAINS

- More dignified way to ask and receive help - Feeling clean and fresh - Re-humanizing - Increasing health and social wellbeing through positive human interaction On-demand, reliable and convenient access to bathroom and shower services that are ecologically responsible, and provide basic human rights of showers and sanitation to those less fortunate.

Being able to go to the bathroom and shower in a dignified setting that is safe and accessible.

- Increasing feelings of dignity among the homeless population - Increasing quality of life in terms of health and protection for disease to homeless population - Reduce dangerous or unclean conditions

PAIN RELIEVERS

- Not wanting to ask for help - Dehumanizing living and hygeiene conditions - Stigmatizations and exclusion from society - Lack of trust in society to support you

PAINS

CONSUMER NEEDS

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

- Providing more access to public restrooms - Positive impact on the environment through the creation of compost; partnering with local urban gardens and providing food to the homeless

TA R G E T C L I E N T + B U S I N E S S M O D E L

Social Enterprise This hygiene pod would function within a social enterprise with two key components: economic (PurePod) and social (PurePodx).

PurePodx

PurePod would be the main revenue stream; it could be deployed at festivals, beaches, color runs, mud runs, etc. as a paid service to provide convenient access to bathrooms and shower to event goers. PurePodx would be focused on providing free access to sanitation for homeless communities and could be deployed in areas in need of disaster relief. Partnerships PurePod also partners with community urban gardens for reuse of waste from the composting toilet, and also provides access to feminine hygiene products for women in partnership with LENA Cup, Voted #1 Best Starter Menstrual Cup and made in the USA.

PurePod

Partners

HOMELESS + DISASTER RELIEF

PUBLIC EVENTS

Case Studies What products exists in this area already

Lava Mae San Fansisco + Los Angeles lavamae.org

Alabama Baptist Disater Relief bdr.org/find-your-ministry/shower

Conclusive Solutions llc portableshowertrailers.com

Concept Ideation Thinking through + visualizing our solution

Designed for Durability + Disassembly PurePod is designed to be durable, but also designed to be disassembled at end of life for recycling and composting. The water system is designed for quick reuse of greywater through a filtration process and is heated through the solar water heating system. The use of the lithium ion battery is reserved for powering the lighting fixture and water pump.

WAT E R S Y S T E M

Waste water

Clean cold water

Hot water Solar heating tank

Hot water tank

Basin drain waste water

Waste water tank Filter

Clean water tank

Pump Shower drain waste water

Our Materials What materials are being used in our product.

Acrylic Glass derived from Sugar

Coconut Fibers

Hemp Bioplastic

Cork Material

Green Cast Acrylic

Acrylic Glass derived from Sugar

Copper

Acrylic Glass derived from Sugar

Bacterial Cellulose

Dandelion Rubber

Acrylic Glass derived from Sugar

Steel

Wheat Straw

Acrylic Glass derived from Sugar

Dandelion Rubber

Acrylic Glass derived from Sugar

Algae based materials

Acrylic Glass derived from Sugar

Hemp Bioplastic Frame, Shower + Sink

Solar Water Heater

Copper Pipes

LED Light Fixture

Hemp Bioplastic Composting Toilet

Green Cast 100% Recycled Acrylic Windows

Wheat Straw Shelving

Water Filter

Water Pumps Aluminum Copper tubing and wire Green Cast Acrylic Motor

Dandelion Rubber Tires

Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery

Steel Frame + Screws

Illustration of the product's system + Reutilization Cycle End of Life

End of Life

At end of life, naturally treated bamboo and paper water filter can be composted, and hemp bioplastics can either be composted or recycled depending on resins used in creation process. Compost from composting toilet handled through partnership with urban gardens.

Acrylic, copper, steel and rubber are sent back to manufacturer for recycling and repurposing. Lithium ion battery and solar water heater are sent back in a take-back program for proper recycling and reuse.

Use

Technical materials chosen for durability, but also for disassembly in case of wear and tear, or an accident on the road. Designed to be used with an electric car, however, battery can be used to power light fixture and water pump. Solar water heating tubes can be maintenanced individually.

Naturally treated bamboo can last 50 years. Hemp bioplastics are stronger than steel + more resilient to damage. Water is cycled through a closed loop cleaning and reuse process, using the Water is Life paper water filter to filter out disease.

Biological Cycle

Distribution

Hemp is grown and bioplastics are manufactured in the US. Wheatboard composite products distributed by US based company, Kirei.

Technical Cycle

Distribution

Recycled materials sourced from plants in the US to cut down on CO2 emissions from transportation.

Manufacturing

Green Cast is cut from 100% recycled acrylic sheets for windows. Copper pipes and steel trailer frame are molded from recycled content.

Cellulose from hemp is extracted to create bioplastics using a natural bio-resin. Wheatstraw and sunflower hulls are combined with a fromaldehyde free resin and heat pressed into a board.

Material Extraction

Acrylic, copper and steel are gathered from recycled materials. Russian dandelions are grown and harvested for rubber extraction.

Hemp is grown and harvested through sound forestry management practices and companies that are FSC®Certified. Wheatstraw is collected as agruculture waste from the food industry.

HOMOGENEOUS MATERIALS

Water

Hemp Bioplastic

HOMOGENEOUS MATERIALS

Wheat Straw

‘Water is Life’ Paper Filter

Green Cast 100% Rec. Acrylic

Copper Pipes

PRODUCTS

Dandelion Rubber

Steel Trailer

Rechargeable Solar Water Lithium Ion Battery Heater

LED Light Fixture

Composting Toilet

Impact Statement When designing products, we need to take responsibility for end of life through proper planning at the beginning of life. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no such thing as a sustainable material if it ends up in a landfill. Therefore, we must design products to be durable and last as long as possible to avoid unnecessary raw materials extraction, and to design for disassembly so that products can be taken apart and recycled or composted after their useful life. Even though our product did not incorporate C2C certified materials, we know that the benefits of using them are profound. Having a database of certified materials to pull from takes a lot of stress off of designers to have to do that research on their own. It makes doing the right thing more accessible.

Photo Resources: Carrot Fiber: http://www.core77.com/posts/40232/A-Surprising-Carbon-Fiber-Alternative-Nanofibers-Made-from-Carrots, https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=OcRT9PIe5HQ Mushroom: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/2c/62/83/2c62833e6b30cf94a2ddc86d8ee33d8b.jpg, http://www. alittleredhen.com/.a/6a00d8341e9b7953ef0192ac399888970d-pi, https://smedia-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/37/52/82/375282fcbd0e9ff37f1e0de2608aa93f.jpg, Courtesy of www.c2ccertified.org/products/mhcertificate/ mushroom_material Tree Bark Cloth: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0360/7237/files/tree-barkand-sisal-thread-brown-hide-barkcloth-fancy-large.jpg?8478, https://fredmutebi.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_1541.jpg, https://www.biooekonomie-bw. de/files/cache/2220b035f1accf3cf05c876bce038ad4_f5332.jpg Coconut Fiber: https://3c1703fe8d.site.internapcdn.net/newman/gfx/news/ hires/2014/companyconve.jpg Wheat based Bioplastic: http://en.via.fr/dossier-presse-expo-matieresbesancon Hemp: https://www.trustedclothes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ gatewood_hero.jpg, http://assets.bonappetit.com/photos/57d6cd65abffea600db60ce4/master/w_1200,c_limit/hemp-seeds.jpg Carrot Fiber: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/554ce895e4b04e25afd9b020/t/554d2ba3e4b01a0eebc9fede/1431120818288/carrots.jpg?format=2500w, (paper): http://0-library.materialconnexion.com.library. scad.edu/ProductPage.aspx?&Keywords=carrot&Attributes=&Category=&Country=&Manufacturer=&Tag=&MC=653601&Lang=en&ProdID=&PageNum=1&ItemsPerPage=20&SearchDisp=0 Bamboo: http://www.zdnet.com/article/check-your-package-dell-expands-useof-bamboo-for-internal-cushioning/ Thermo-hygro-mechanically compacted wood : https://vimeo.com/19828301 Sugarcane: http://www.metropolismag.com/products/product-materials/pvcfree-textile-made-from-sugarcane/, http://healtheatingfood.com/composition-and-properties-of-sugarcane/ Horsehair: http://lefebvreupholstery.blogspot.com/2014/06/my-furnitureis-stuffed-with-what.html, https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-horse-onfield-6468/ Maize Cob Board: http://www.dds-online.de/wp-content/uploads/2/0/2004846.jpg; https://www.pexels.com/photo/nature-field-sun-agriculture-1242/ Linoleum: http://www.theflooringlady.com/linoleum_flooring/; http://ashleyfinefloors.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/sheet-vinyl-21.jpg; http://linseed-oil. com/

Algae: http://algix.com/image-gallery/ orange peel tires: http://www.yokohama.com.au/Footer/About-Yokohama/Orange-Oil-Tyres.aspx Maize Cib Board: http://act-clean.eu/img/17761_Maisspindel.jpg, http://jabalent.com/images/istock_000017329100large.jpg Potato based bioplastics: http://inhabitat.com/spudware-cutlery-made-from-potatoes/spudware-cutlery-biodegradable-cutlery/, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Patates.jpg, http://radchenusa. com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/potato-starch-image-10-837x427.jpg Pineapple leather: https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/pinatex-pineapple-leather-ananas-anam-dezeen-ban.jpg, http://www.ananas-anam.com/ wp-content/uploads/2016/02/l7tw1f6iexpr9wiclctl-1.jpg, https://cdn.shopify. com/s/files/1/1047/1512/products/IMG_1345_1024x1024.JPG?v=1492730487, http://ecowarriorprincess.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/pineapple-pinatex-vegan-leather-pineapple-leather.jpg, http://www.thealternative.in/lifestyle/ sustainable-fabric-innovations-guilt-free-fashion-experience/, https://po-zu. com/products/ello-v-black-pinatex Orange Peel: https://www.biobasedworldnews.com/clever-orange-peel-design-for-plant-based-packaging-imitates-nature-and-acts-as-compost-forfuture-growth, https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/69/a0/ce/69a0cee04145a673f352cd0ed30ccd39.jpg, https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg. com/736x/e3/68/01/e36801d5ee3df4777e5bcba176eab3f1.jpg Tomato Bioplastic: http://inhabitat.com/ford-converts-heinz-tomato-waste-into-brilliant-new-lightweight-bio-plastic-for-car-parts/ ford-bio-plastic-storage-bin/, https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjLv-3uqPfTAhVM7CYKHc7BDWAQjBwIBA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.ford.com%2Fcontent%2Ffordmedia%2Ffna%2Fus%2Fen%2Fasset.download.image. original.html%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Ffordmedia%2FNorth%2520America%2FUS%2F2014%2F06%2F10%2Fford-heinz-sustainability.jpg&psig=AFQjCNGAW-ci8SzKRCWh_-4BOoljYFiQTw&ust=1495123927678964 PLA: http://www.ptonline.com/articles/materials-additives-blends-take-pla-upscale, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55bbf921e4b09c9ffac44664/55ccb1e8e4b0a97dcef36a5d/55ccb23de4b0a97dcef3713f/1439478482029/ PolylacticAcid-PLA-Plastic.png, http://3dprintingforbeginners.com/wp-content/ uploads/2014/05/Masterbatches.jpg, http://feedtheprinter.com/image/cache/ data/undefined/pla-pellets-yellow-500x500.jpg, http://www.bakeryandsnacks. com/var/plain_site/storage/images/publications/food-beverage-nutrition/ foodproductiondaily.com/packaging/pla-in-food-packaging-is-a-big-challenge/8599510-1-eng-GB/PLA-in-food-packaging-is-a-big-challenge.jpg Silk: http://inserco.org/en/types_of_silk, https://www.flickr.com/photos/ hoad/4741210703

Bacterial Cellulose: http://www.ibwch.lodz.pl/pliki/IBWCh_(b9qyon8mwz4dma2b).jpg, https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/02/BioBomber-jacket_dezeen.jpg LED Light: http://www.homedepot.com/p/VONN-Lighting-Delphinus-5-inBlack-LED-Adjustable-Hanging-Industrial-Pendant-with-LED-Filament-BulbVVP21331BL/207026928 Bamboo Shelf: https://www.pinterest.com/explore/bamboo-shelf/?lp=true Cotton: http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/270734/01_Blog/Brand_ID_Reducing_Cotton_Production.jpg, http://cottonmarketnews.com/wp-content/ uploads/2011/08/Cotton-production-set-to-rise-450x338.jpg, https://i.dawn. com/large/2017/04/58e2ad8d5d011.jpg, http://img.etimg.com/thumb/ msid-50394693,width-672,resizemode-4,imglength-373061/news/economy/agriculture/cotton-production-to-fall-by-5-7-per-cent-cotton-association-of-india/ cotton-production-to-fall-by-5-7-cai.jpg, http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ multimedia/dynamic/00367/COTTON_YARN_367761f.jpg Orange Peel: https://www.biobasedworldnews.com/clever-orange-peel-design-for-plant-based-packaging-imitates-nature-and-acts-as-compost-forfuture-growth, https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/69/a0/ce/69a0cee04145a673f352cd0ed30ccd39.jpg, https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg. com/736x/e3/68/01/e36801d5ee3df4777e5bcba176eab3f1.jpg Tomato Bioplastic: http://inhabitat.com/ford-converts-heinz-tomato-waste-into-brilliant-new-lightweight-bio-plastic-for-car-parts/ ford-bio-plastic-storage-bin/, https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjLv-3uqPfTAhVM7CYKHc7BDWAQjBwIBA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.ford.com%2Fcontent%2Ffordmedia%2Ffna%2Fus%2Fen%2Fasset.download.image. original.html%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Ffordmedia%2FNorth%2520America%2FUS%2F2014%2F06%2F10%2Fford-heinz-sustainability.jpg&psig=AFQjCNGAW-ci8SzKRCWh_-4BOoljYFiQTw&ust=1495123927678964 Orange Peel: https://www.biobasedworldnews.com/clever-orange-peel-design-for-plant-based-packaging-imitates-nature-and-acts-as-compost-forfuture-growth, https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/69/a0/ce/69a0cee04145a673f352cd0ed30ccd39.jpg, https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg. com/736x/e3/68/01/e36801d5ee3df4777e5bcba176eab3f1.jpg Tomato Bioplastic: http://inhabitat.com/ford-converts-heinz-tomato-waste-into-brilliant-new-lightweight-bio-plastic-for-car-parts/ ford-bio-plastic-storage-bin/, https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjLv-3uqPfTAhVM7CYKHc7BDWAQjBwIBA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.ford.com%2Fcontent%2Ffordmedia%2Ffna%2Fus%2Fen%2