Circulating materials
Hidden Treasures
Contemporary society has a pervasive and insatiable desire for resources. The extraction of these materials, however, has the potential to cause significant harm to humans and the surrounding environment. This can include the degradation of ecosystems, contamination of air and water, and the generation of massive amounts of CO2. Furthermore, the disposal of these materials, which often occurs after a brief period of use, can be challenging due to the lack of recycling infrastructure. In order for our future to be both sustainable and enjoyable, we need to make a paradigm shift towards the use of innovative materials and technologies. These materials must be able to protect the environment, while also being easier to recycle.
The most significant challenge will be to develop materials for high-tech applications that can be returned to the biological cycle as nutrients after use.
The presentation by the innovation agency HAUTE INNOVATION provides an insight into the concept of sustainable materials and the potential of the circular economy. It illustrates how the concept of the circular economy has the capacity to reduce environmental impact while also achieving social and economic gains. Exhibits on display exemplify this concept, showcasing products made from renewable raw materials and organic secondary materials that decompose naturally after use.
- One illustration of this phenomenon is a road sign manufactured in the Netherlands from hemp fibres and a biopolymer. This material is sufficiently robust to substitute aluminium while simultaneously reducing CO₂ emissions from production by 99%. After approximately ten years, the material is shredded and degrades completely in an industrial composting plant.
- Another product is a skateboard made from densely pressed paper, which offers high stability. The material has the potential to replace metals or plastics in the future; as a consequence CO2 emissions would be reduced significantly.
- Further sustainable alternatives have emerged in the field of battery technology. Graphite, a key component in conventional batteries, can be sourced from lignin, a biopolymer derived from the by-products of paper production.
- Exciting material innovations for the textile, shoe and furniture industries are obtained from orange peel, coconut fibres or cactus leaves, and have similar qualities to leather.
"The most exciting innovations are currently being developed in the field of biological cycles," states Sascha Peters from HAUTE INNOVATION. "This does not imply that we are reverting to a state of affairs that existed two centuries ago. Rather, it signifies that we are creating materials that can function in our modern world, with the qualities that we require.
