For the 2019 edition, the London Design Fair has selected biomaterials as 'Material of the Year.' Now in its third year, Material of the Year offers a fitting opportunity to highlight and scrutinize a key material, one whose properties are the subject of analysis and debate across the design world and beyond. Having considered the merits of reusing plastic components in design during last year's Fair, this year the London Design Fair will focus attention on biomaterials and their positive contribution to both design and the environment.
"The sheer volume of waste being repurposed and the potential volume these new materials can be used at, makes them extremely important and something we want to celebrate at the Fair,' explained Jimmy MacDonald, Founder and Director of the London Design Fair.
Biomaterials (also known as bio-based materials) are often derived and made from by-products found in the agricultural industry. Once the by-products have been identified, then the hard work begins. This involves hundreds of hours of carefully analyzing the different elements of the agriculture chain from which the by-products were derived. A decision is made about the most suitable moment to harvest these by-products and how they can be sustainably utilized en masse. It's a complex process and in order to demonstrate the complexities that beset biomaterials, the London Design Fair will show four brilliant examples of work by designers with a keen awareness of the environment. Using a range of by-products, these designers have created functional and aesthetically pleasing designs-they will be presented at the Fair's Second Yield exhibition.