Jannis Kempkens – Biobased Material Research – A Design Perspective

Jannis Kempkens is a designer and materials researcher working at the intersection of circular design, sustainability, and climate action. He has collaborated with organisations such as Precious Plastic, Terra.do, and the Or Foundation, and is currently a researcher at the Weißensee Academy of Art Berlin. There, he is part of the interdisciplinary project LignoLight, which explores how lignin – a byproduct of cellulose and bioethanol production – can be transformed into sustainable materials for the furniture and fashion industries, including plant-based leather alternatives, foams, thermoplastic sheets, and 3D-printable filaments.