New Sustainable Materials Trends

Surface Design Show is an annual trade event for surface materials and designs covering over 180 exhibiting companies from 19 different countries. New material development needs to address emergencies in climate and nature. Here are some highlights from emerging innovative material design.

Image: Jose chair by Byard Works, fully recyclable, natural cork

Firstly, imaginative new sustainable materials selected by Sally Angharad (sponsored by CDUK). Here are my favourites:

Wool Craft is biomaterial 3D production technique from by-products by Ellie Carr-Smith

Seaweed pigments by Alternate Catch

Textile from pineapple leaf fibres by Ananas Anam

Wellbeign textiles from rust, seaweed and salt. Interlacing salt with Seacell fibres by lily McDonnell

3D printed ceramic plate by Rosie Stonham

Gradated surfaces monomaterial biofoam by Florence Sargent

Biofoam by Florence Sargent from gelatin, glycerine , natural soap and colourings

Provenance theme

Also emerging new materials were presented by Colour Hive. Their leading theme for 2024 Provenance was based on how craft and new tech are merging together. There is a shift in the market towards more respect for the maker due to increased value of sustainability and ethical production.

Material selection from Provenance:

APeel is crated from orange peel powder by Alkesh Palmar

Laser cut paper that resembles woven fabric by Isobel Napier

Wolfwall is a phono-thermal insulation material from shed dog fur

Rootfull is a grown not made material by Zena Halloway

Sould acoustic panels are made from eelgrass acting as a carbon sink locking in C02

Algorith is based on systemic uniformity found in algorithms and reinterpreted in clay by Maren Aaserud

Colour palette 2023

Colour Hive also presented two new themes and colour palettes for 2023.

Provenance colours and colour combinations offer dynamic evocations of nature’s greens and golds bringing soft warmth.

Commercials Interior Surface Design Award

The winner this year was Nina+Co with Smile Plastics. They launched new material Orca, a geometric superstructure made from chopping boards and plastic packaging. It has a trendy marble-like quality.