The new Alder collection is completely biodegradable except for its recycled steel frame and was designed in collaboration with architect and designer Patricia Urquiola.
“Biodegradable plastic, in this case sugar cane, is a rapidly renewable source that can be harvested one to two times a year, so this advancement made sense for Mater’s journey,” Mater CEO Ketil Årdal tells Fast Company. “Sugar cane naturally absorbs carbon dioxide whilst growing and can be decomposed by living organisms in the same way as wood or any other natural material.”
The collection is also designed for disassembly, so each component can be upcycled into new production cycles through Mater’s take-back system, Årdal adds.