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Local Bioplastics

Local Bioplastics creates composite materials by integrating natural resources from the bioregion into bioplastic bases. The resulting bioplastics, which are compatible with plastic industry production methods, offer alternatives to the aesthetics and function of fossil-based plastic materials.

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Using local resources to develop high-performance bioplastics that are intrinsically tied to the bioregion.

Algae Tiles, tiles developed in bioplastic with micro-algae, for wall cladding in the LUMA Tower, © Adrian Deweerdt
Algae Tiles, tiles developed in bioplastic with micro-algae, for wall cladding in the LUMA Tower
© Adrian Deweerdt

Local Bioplastics brings together designers, scientists, and engineers to research production of biodegradable and recyclable plastics. This research has two goals: on the one hand, to generate uses for agri-food industry coproducts; on the other, to give manufacturers access to a local inventory of bio-sourced materials that can replace certain fossil-based plastics.

Algae module by the Bouroullec brothers edited by Vitra. These modules were injected in small experimental series using a bioplastic with micro-algae formulated by Atelier LUMA., © Adrian Deweerdt
Algae module by the Bouroullec brothers edited by Vitra. These modules were injected in small experimental series using a bioplastic with micro-algae formulated by Atelier LUMA.
© Adrian Deweerdt

To create responsible and bio-sourced plastics, the Local Bioplastics team has identified the resources available in the bioregion. Some are abundant and renewable, such as algae, and others are undervalued coproducts of local agri-food industries, such as sunflower plants, olive pits, and rice hulls. In the form of powder or fibers, the raw materials from the bioregion are mixed with bioplastic matrices to obtain improved bioplastics.

Profiles extruded in bioplastic, for a collection of chair, stool and table designed by Martino Gamper for the restaurant le Réfectoire. The profiles are notably composed of rice husks and olive pits., © Atelier LUMA
Profiles extruded in bioplastic, for a collection of chair, stool and table designed by Martino Gamper for the restaurant le Réfectoire. The profiles are notably composed of rice husks and olive pits.
© Atelier LUMA

The shaping techniques used for the bioplastics are chosen according to their appearance (color, transparency, texture) and their structural properties (density, elasticity, resistance). Prototypes and small runs of objects are 3D printed using filaments. For larger volumes, the composites can be shaped using conventional industrial methods, for example, injection presses or extrusion techniques.

Multifilaments of bioplastic loaded with dyes from tinctorial plants., © Atelier LUMA
Multifilaments of bioplastic loaded with dyes from tinctorial plants.
© Atelier LUMA

Formed into tiles through an industrial injection process, the algae-augmented bioplastic was tested for resistance to fire, UV rays, water, and cleaning products, and was approved for applications in demanding contexts. It has been applied as a wall covering in public buildings, and in exterior spaces exposed to the elements.

Mono- and multifilament extrusion spinning methods are used to create threads and fibers. The resulting experimental products are used by the Textile Lab in textile creation, and dyed through the Color Geographies project.

Panel obtained by recycling Atelier LUMA's bioplastic scraps., © Atelier LUMA
Panel obtained by recycling Atelier LUMA's bioplastic scraps.
© Atelier LUMA
Jug and glass created by the designer Sarp Susuzer during a workshop organized by Atelier LUMA in Istanbul., © Joana Luz
Jug and glass created by the designer Sarp Susuzer during a workshop organized by Atelier LUMA in Istanbul.
© Joana Luz
Color research and development of monofilaments for weaving experiments, © Joana Luz
Color research and development of monofilaments for weaving experiments
© Joana Luz
Preliminary tests and small productions are often conducted at Atelier LUMA., © Joana Luz
Preliminary tests and small productions are often conducted at Atelier LUMA.
© Joana Luz
Cleaning the mold of the
Cleaning the mold of the "Algae Tiles" project, mounted in an injection molding machine
© Adrian Deweerdt

Project team

  • Atelier LUMA

    Arles, France

  • Vegeplast

    Tarbes, France

  • Agromat

    Tarbes, France

  • Ecole d'ingénierie et d'innovation textile (ENSAIT)

    Roubaix, France

  • UMR Montpellier

    Montpellier, France

  • SDTech

    Alès, France

  • Cousin Composite

    Wervicq-Sud, France

  • Groupe Salins, Salins du Midi et de l’Est

    Aigues-Mortes, France

  • Solis Culturae

    Châteaurenard, France

  • Le Champ des Couleurs

    La Roque-d'Anthéron, France

  • CRITT Horticole de Rochefort

    Rochefort, France

  • Moulin Cornille

    Maussane-les-Alpilles, France

  • European Green Compound

    Publy, France

  • IMT Mines d'Alès

    Alès, France

  • Raffaella Bortoluzzi

    New York, USA

  • Vitra

    Weil Am Rhein, Switzerland

  • Studio Klarenbeek & Dros

    Zaandam, The Netherlands

  • Coldep

    Villeurbanne, France

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