In the world of design and lifestyle, the aesthetic qualities and new colours of natural fibres are often considered to be as important a source of design as the structural performance of the biobased materials selected. Discover more.
Linen and hemp bio-based materials continue to gain prominence in the design sector, particularly within the realm of sustainable design. The unique aesthetic of natural fibre composites is just as significant as their reduced environmental impact. These materials are opening up new and distinctive opportunities across the creative industries.
Artisanal luggage manufacturer Chapoget has recently launched its modern cabin trunk, drawing inspiration from the timeless elegance of the golden age of ocean liners. The piece combines this iconic design with the latest innovations in practicality, sustainability, and style.
With its Flaxcomp® expertise, Demgy is innovating in manufacturing processes adapted to polymers and plant fibre-reinforced composites. These efforts result in the production of lightweight, environmentally friendly composite materials.
Another noteworthy application this year comes from GR Bass, which has developed high-performance, lightweight loudspeakers using ampliTex™ materials by Bcomp.
The Italian company, specialising in music amplification, sought to increase the use of natural materials while reducing the weight of its wooden speaker enclosures.
In collaboration with Bcomp, they created an elegant and recyclable sandwich structure, made from water-based resin and ampliTex™, surrounding a recycled PET core. This new speaker structure delivers the same high-quality sound and clarity, while being lighter than wood and having a lower environmental footprint than other composite alternatives.
GR Bass now produces some of the lightest speakers on the market, with the natural fibres contributing to a stylish look reminiscent of the iconic chic of the 1960s.
CultureIn and Terre de Lin continue to advance flax dyeing techniques. Terre de Lin showcased its work at its own stand, while CultureIn presented its Varian® products on the Alliance’s stand.
Terre de Lin now offers coloured rovings made from 100% flax fibres. These untwisted slivers, composed of parallel filaments ranging from 200 to 2,400 tex, are free from chemical treatments and dyed at the fibre stage. The coloured rovings are optimised to improve compatibility with thermoset and thermoplastic impregnation, and are suitable for a wide range of composite manufacturing processes.
Varian®also unveiled an updated palette of 24 shades at the trade show. This thermoformable, bio-based material blends flax with thermoplastic yarns. Initially developed for interior architecture, sustainable design, lighting, automotive, aeronautics, and luxury goods, Varian® now includes natural, pearlescent, and black tones, as well as new vibrant colours that allow designers to expand their creative possibilities and explore striking new combinations.
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