Advanced materials, inspired by nature.
Nature Inspired.
Rationally Designed.
Despite facing huge constraints, the natural world produces some incredible materials. Our philosophy is to combine the best that nature has to offer with modern manufacturing techniques to produce advanced materials through green, sustainable, and scalable processes.
We specialize in biopolymer-inorganic composite (biocomposite) materials, taking inspiration from natural materials such as ivory, pearl and tooth enamel.
Our technology: BioSintering and BioGlazing
Ordinary ceramic tiles need to be fired at high temperatures over many hours to harden (sinter) and glaze the materials. Firing accounts for about 80% of the carbon footprint of ordinary ceramics.
We have developed two technologies, termed BioSintering and BioGlazing, that eliminate the need for firing - significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the resulting tiles.
Moreover, the inorganic component of the tiles (>95% by mass) can be made from captured CO2 in the form of carbonate minerals - further reducing the carbon footprint and potentially making them carbon negative.
The resulting biocomposite materials can have compressive strengths in excess of 90 MPa, which exceeds high-strength concrete and is the strongest synthetic biomaterial ever reported.
Product focus: Fabalith tiles
Fabalith is made from captured CO2 in the form of carbonate minerals (>95% by mass) and a binder obtained from waste chickpea broth (Aquafaba). Carbon black (soot) can be included as an additive to give a grey colour and further increase the carbon content of the tiles.
Product focus: Cyalith tiles
Cyalith is made from carbonate minerals (>95% by mass) and a binder obtained from spirulina algae - a photosynthetic microorganism.
Product focus: StarCrete Tiles
Cement and concrete account for about 8% of global CO2 emissions. By combining recycled aggregates with starch through our low-energy BioSintering process, we're developing a relatively green alternative.
