The New Materialist is a pioneering design and development studio focused on creating innovative, sustainable materials and fostering circular economies. Our unique approach blends the philosophy of new materialism with practical applications, transforming the way we interact with materials and the environment. Leveraging a comprehensive material supplier database, cutting-edge decision-making tools, and holistic system mapping, we guide brands through their sustainability journey, turning visionary concepts into tangible solutions. Join us as we reshape the narrative of sustainability, one material at a time.

Not one day passes without a reminder that we must act to mitigate the effects of climate change . Materials are the building block of our society and they are at the core of innovative circular economies forming.That is why I support companies and industries with my expertise in biobased / biodegradable plastic, (bio)-composite, and (bio-)material. Every waste stream is different, each context is unique. I do not like doing the same thing twice so I adapt my role and action plan to every new assignment. My services range from setting up material databases to developing tailor-made bio-composites.

Fragrances are distilled from roots, leaves, bark, and flower,... of various plants. A large quantity of biomass is required to obtain a small quantity of Absolute - the most concentrated form of fragrance. The byproducts of these extraction processes can be turned into decorative and functional bio-materials. These series of materials are made of perfume distillation by-products and plant-based binders.

Ideation and brainstorm sessions to identify and select biodegradable polymers for an industrial design project.

Investigation of potential bio-based and biodegradable plastic alternatives for plastic injection.Internal knowledge creation, material library, material requirements, workshop / lectures.

Focusing on the transformation of bio-matter, this project explores the potential of sunflower leftovers to create new applications and prototypes embedded in sustainable, innovative production systems.Sunflowers are commonly farmed to produce oil, seeds or bio-fuel. After pressing the oil out, a part can be used as animal feed but most of the crop goes to waste. The stalk’s foamy structure, the strong fibre of the bark or the flower’s dark brown proteins are left behind. These agro-wastes can be valuable resources to produce novel biomaterials. With the scientific expertise of regional partners, this project uses sunflower leftovers to create new applications and prototypes embedded in sustainable production systems. Entering the realm of bio-plastics, a vast number of applications of what was previously considered waste becomes possible: from a tiny bolt to a large insulation panel, from a bio-board to an iPhone case.Based on scientific papers (Marechal & Rigal, 1999) (Evon et al., 2014) (Rouilly et al., 2006) a system of bio-material using exclusively Sunflower by-products has been designed and developed. No PLA or binder, no toxic varnish, we make use only of the ingredients provided by the Sunflower crop. The presscake - left after pressing the Sunflower oil out of the seeds - is turned into a waterbased glue and vegetal leather. The stalk is harvested and the bark is separated from the marrow. The bark's fibers are heat pressed into hardboard while the marrow is shaped into an aggregate, a natural alternative to polystyrene. These different bio-materials can be coated with Sunflower varnish improve their resistance to water.