Food Based Composites
The food industry is known for their large amount of waste product. At the same time we are lacking high-end sustainable materials for commercial products. We therefore transformed post-production food streams into high-quality, aesthetically pleasing products that blend food and commercial products.
Waste can be elegant
In the world of food production, what's often overlooked is the sheer volume of post-industrial waste generated. Within this challenge lies a hidden gem—an opportunity to create new life into what's left behind. We were commissioned to identify a process to repurpose this waste and elevate it into commercial products targeted consumer electronics.
The Challenge
Quantity to quality
Our mission was quite bold: to merge the food industry with consumer electronics. This unique combination was designed to add value to electronic products with a mix of quality, aesthetics, and sustainability. By adopting a cross-industry approach, we investigated how the byproducts of one industry could transform into valuable resources for another, converting food waste into new product components at scale.
The Approach
Be Playful
We chose the food industry for a few important reasons. The volume, its performance properties, and to prove a point: the potential of upcycling. On this venture, we pursued a variety of food remnants—eggshells, ox bones, and fish bones—each providing distinct textures and properties. Our aim was to develop a material that displayed exceptional aesthetic appeal as well as exhibited remarkable characteristics, similar to artificial marble with its cool, stony feel. The alternative has to be better than standard materials in order for it to gain traction as a commercial material.
The Outcome
Waste is the new Premium
The research led to a composite material that incorporates about 30%-35% post-industrial food waste, specifically designed for press molding and ideal for exterior panels of electronic devices. This innovative process has become a testament to the potential when creativity meets sustainability. It offers a tactile experience reminiscent of cold stone and tells a compelling story about the fusion of industries and the transformation of waste into wonder.
The images of these products are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the final product.
Through an innovative cross-industry approach, the project transformed food industry waste into a high-quality, aesthetically pleasing composite material, suitable for consumer electronics, adding value through both sustainability and exclusivity.
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