A poker set made from discarded marine plastic, said to be the world’s first, shows how ocean waste can become a high-quality design product. Developed by Greek micro-recycling studio @recycledin.store, the set offers clear relevance for product designers, interior designers and hospitality brands looking for circular, story-driven accessories. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #RecycledPlastic #MarinePlastic #CircularDesign #SustainableDesign #ProductDesign #HospitalityDesign #OceanWaste #Upcycling #DesignInnovation #CircularEconomy

Material of the day: GreenEdge 🌾🌿 Developed by @annelaendle, GreenEdge is a biobased sheet material made from approximately 40% roadside hay and 60% waste wood from CNC milling processes. The fibres are bound with casein, a natural milk protein adhesive, creating a toxin-free and biodegradable alternative to conventional MDF. By repurposing underutilised roadside biomass and wood waste, GreenEdge addresses furniture industry waste while supporting biodiversity management. The material can be milled, pigmented and enriched with embedded flowers, resulting in a terrazzo-like aesthetic with mechanical performance suitable for furniture and interior applications. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com 👉 Discover this material and many more at MaterialDistrict Utrecht 📍 Werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 📅 4–6 March 2026 🎟️ Get your ticket now via link in bio #MaterialoftheDay #Material #GreenEdge #BiobasedMaterials #CircularDesign #SustainableInteriors #MaterialDistrict #MDUtrecht

“I always leave with new ideas — if you didn’t already have one, you’ll definitely find it here”, “The perfect place to explore the latest innovations in biobased and sustainable materials”, “Inspiring to see so many positive minds working toward a greener future — all in one place.” These are reactions from visitors who have previously experienced MaterialDistrict Utrecht. Do you want to discover for yourself why this is the event for architecture, interior design, and material innovation? From 4 to 6 March 2026, MaterialDistrict returns to the Werkspoorkathedraal in Utrecht with NextNow, focusing on material innovations that are ready for application today. This 19th edition highlights biobased, circular and low-impact materials actively shaping architecture, interiors and the public realm. With 125+ exhibitors, a strong international line-up and an in-depth lecture programme, the event connects designers and architects to solutions that move beyond experimentation into real-world practice. A live 3D furniture production by TRIBOO and YIZUMI demonstrates circular manufacturing on site, while the materials exhibition showcases tactile innovation — from bacterially grown textiles to recycled and regenerative alternatives. 💡 Experience it live in Utrecht or watch the livecast online 🎟 Get your ticket today via link in bio NextNow proves that the future of building isn’t ahead of us — it’s happening now. MaterialDistrict Utrecht 2026 📍 @werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 📅 4 – 6 March 2026 Opening hours: Wed 4 March | 10:00 – 18:00 Thu 5 March | 10:00 – 18:00 Fri 6 March | 10:00 – 17:00 #MaterialDistrict #MDU2026 #NextNow #MaterialInnovation #CircularDesign

Researchers at the @university.of.maine have developed a fully bio-based food packaging material made from mycelium and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). The material offers a plastic-free alternative for food applications. It responds to growing concerns about the health and environmental impact of plastics. Recent studies show that more than a quarter of the 16,000 chemicals used in plastics may pose risks to human health. At the same time, the United Nations estimates that 19–23 million tonnes of plastic enter rivers, lakes and oceans each year. Designers and manufacturers are therefore looking for safer, circular alternatives that maintain performance and convenience. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Mycelium #FoodPackaging #BiobasedMaterials #PlasticFree #CelluloseNanofibrils #SustainableDesign #CircularMaterials #PackagingInnovation

Mexican design practice @manufacturamx has developed CORNCRETL, a bio-based construction material made from corn residues, recycled nejayote and lime-based aggregates. The team designed the material for robotic 3D printing and low-carbon building applications. The construction sector remains one of the largest sources of CO₂ emissions, mainly due to the use of Portland cement. CORNCRETL offers a lower-impact alternative. Compared to conventional concrete, it can reduce carbon emissions by up to 70 per cent. At the same time, it introduces circular economy principles by transforming agricultural waste into a valuable building material. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #CORNCRETL #BioBasedMaterials #CircularConstruction #3DPrintedArchitecture #LimeBased #CornWaste #SustainableBuilding #MaterialInnovation

Material of the day: Crystals, Baby! ✨💎 Developed by @elisabethseidel_ , this crystalline composite is grown from potassium aluminium sulfate on a transparent acrylic substrate. Through a controlled immersion process, crystals form directly on the surface, creating a continuous, light-transmissive crystalline layer. Colour is introduced during crystallisation using acid dyes, becoming encapsulated within the crystal lattice. The result is a surface that refracts and diffuses light, producing shifting gradients, reflections and shadows that change with viewing angle and lighting conditions. Designed for interior applications, the material merges scientific process with expressive aesthetics. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com 👉 Discover this material and many more at MaterialDistrict Utrecht 📍 Werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 📅 4–6 March 2026 🎟️ Get your ticket now: via link in bio #MaterialoftheDay #Material #CrystalsBaby #StudioElisabethSeidel #SenseAndSensibility #MaterialInnovation #MaterialDistrict #MDUtrecht

Researchers at @PennState have developed a plant-based material capable of selectively recovering dysprosium, a heavy rare earth element widely used in semiconductors, electric motors, generators and other high-performance technologies. The innovation offers a more sustainable and environmentally responsible alternative to conventional extraction and separation methods. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Nanocellulose #RareEarthElements #Dysprosium #CircularDesign #SustainableMaterials #BioBasedMaterials #MaterialInnovation #CleanTech #RecyclingTechnology #AdvancedMaterials

.@Vollebak ’s Indestructible Belt brings advanced material technology into a consumer product. The belt combines aramid fibre, aerospace-grade aluminium and precision engineering. For fashion designers and product designers, it offers a clear example of how high-performance materials can move from safety equipment into everyday design. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #AramidFibre #Kevlar #HighPerformanceMaterials #MaterialInnovation #ProductDesign #SustainableDesign #AdvancedTextiles #AerospaceEngineering