In London, architecture and design publication dezeen has compiled the most innovative materials of 2019, and renewable products are heavily featured. Seaweed, spider silk, animal byproducts, cellulose, cork and coffee were all highlighted by the magazine.
Singled-out products include SeaCell, a material made from eucalyptus and algae that is being used in textiles and disposable diapers and edible seaweed drink capsules replacing plastic water bottles for the 2019 London Marathon. A North Face jacket made from Spiber vegan spider silk also got a mention, as did Bolt Threads’ collaboration with Adidas and Stella McCartney to create a biodegradable tennis dress.
Cellulose-based innovations included Meydan Levy’s recent use of the material to create edible artificial fruits and Elissa Brunato’s natural sequins.
Coffee waste also caught designers’ eyes in 2019. High Society used bean peels to make lamps, and PriestmanGoode converted used grounds and husks to make airline meal trays.
Among the grosser, more “artistic” innovations, dezeen noted Kathrine Barbro Bendixen’s use of cow intestines to make lamps and Shahar Livne’s shoes made from animal fat, bones and blood. A more practical animal waste innovation included Reykjavík studio At10’s use of animal skin to make a bioplastic for meat packaging.