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It ’s not every day you come across kombucha playing a starring theatrical role in possible industrial disruption . But here at 4YFN in MWC we got chatting to Laura Freixas about her PhD research undertaking that ’s using a base of the fermented hipster tea to “ upcycle ” organic waste into strand .
Once action , these biodegradable ribbon can be knitted into fabrics . They can also be treated to have unlike property — such as snap or pee impedance . Freixas had a selection of samples of knitted bio - strand on show , offering a glimpse of eco - well-disposed option to materials like cotton or charge plate fundamentally being brewed into existence .
Freixas is take in charge the project at the Barcelona School of Design and Engineering as part of theElisava Researchteam . They ’re aiming to commercialise the bio - filament — which they ’re calling Biocel . “ The intent is to bio - fabricate filaments from constitutive dissipation because we have catch several problems in the textile industry , ” she state , highlighting the sector ’s many challenge .
While multiple startups have been putting effort into developing eco - well-disposed leathers in recent years , include fungi - based biomaterials from the like ofBolt Threads , MycelandMycoWorks , Freixas says less attention has been paid to devising more environmentally friendly filaments for consumption in fabric yield — despite the textile industry ’s sullen use of chemicals , energy and water ; major problems with pollution and waste ; and an ongoing record of human rights violation linked to wretched workings condition .
Unlike conventional fabric production the methods involved in producing Biocel are not labor intensive and do not require lots of energy or harsh chemical substance , per Freixas . “ This strand is produced with downcast level of caloric energy / electrical energy and no hazardous chemicals , ” she told TechCrunch . “ Then we obtain a biodegradable filum that we can functionalize , or give properties , to be more pliant , stiff or hydrophobic and make a fabric covering . ”
As with making kombucha , the feedstock for producing the bio - filament indigence to have some saccharide for the bacterium to exploit their ferment magic . Which means some farming permissive waste will be better suited — such as grape vine waste ( from wine-colored production ) , or the food grain leave over from brewing beer — owing to relatively high sugar content .
“ Between 15 % and 50 % [ of agricultural products ] become waste when they are processed . Here we see an opportunity , ” she enjoin , pointing to rising regulative demand in the European Union aimed at cut carbon emissions and promoting disk shape that are shifting inducement . It could even lead to a situation in which industrial producers pay upcyclers to take their wasteland off their hands , she suggested .
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“ Regarding applied science , we are building our machine to automate and monitor the production , ” she said . “ So we are build a digital platform to control the production . And then we also have a patent of invention pending method acting for the tension of the fibril . ”
Future covering for the bio - filum could include weave it into accessories such as shoes and purse for the fashion manufacture ; make biodegradable veiling for product packaging ; or material for furniture , according to Freixas .
Currently she said the bio - filament is not ideal for use of goods and services cases where the crumple material would be in direct contact with people ’s peel , owing to a comparatively raspy grain , but suggested more inquiry could facilitate finesse the finish as they continue to try out with apply different treatments .
“ At this point what we are looking for is for a ship’s company that has a demand — a real need — so we can develop an practical app together and put it in the market so we can formalise and then descale it , ” she added .
