Between Growth and Structure
Tii introduces an advanced plant-based biomaterial development that marks a significant step forward in sustainable design. Made from a unique blend of carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium alginate, sourced from brown algae, along with other organic residues, this material provides an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional materials.
What sets this innovation apart is its exceptional versatility. The same core ingredients can be processed in different ways to create rigid, structural forms as well as flexible, translucent surfaces. This adaptability makes it ideal for applications in fashion, furniture and architectural design.
Designed with circularity in mind, the material is biodegradable, non-toxic, and has an exceptionally low carbon footprint. By integrating it into their work, designers can actively reduce material waste and overproduction while pushing the boundaries of functional, aesthetically striking, and sustainable design.
Experience the future of materials with Tii—where innovation meets environmental responsibility.
Between Growth and Structure: The Lifecycle of Biodegradable Creations
My journey as a creator began in furniture design and woodworking, where wood was my first material and the foundation of my craft. In recent years, my work in fashion led me to develop new sustainable materials, driven by the need for more responsible design solutions.
Through research and experimentation, I discovered that these biomaterials had potential far beyond fashion—they could be applied to architecture and furniture design as well. This project brings that discovery full circle, reconnecting with my origins while pushing material innovation forward. By combining leftover sawdust from furniture makers with an advanced biodegradable material, this table is not only circular in its composition but also reflects a personal and professional journey coming full circle.
Its form embodies the balance between growth and structure—where precise construction meets the fluidity of natural shapes. It reflects the continuous transformation of materials, landscapes, and ideas, reinforcing the cyclical nature of creation and transformation.
Carboxymethylcellulose is specified to have a shelf life of several years depending on how it is developed and combined. During the dry process of CMC it losses an average of 1,5%.- 3%. The CMC that I use has a pH level of 7. CMC is considered vegan because the plant-based fibre is commonly from wood chips and the manufacturing process is without any use of animal matter or products derived from animal origin. This type of cellulose was first developed in 1946. It is now widely used because it is non-toxic and hypoallergenic and because of its polymeric structure and high molecular weight, it can be used as a filler in biocomposite films.
CMC has unique characteristics, such as a high degree of crystallinity, tensile strength, thermal stability, biodegradability and elasticity. The cellulose is obtained directly from natural strains of fibrous plant materials, after which the etherification reaction of monochloroacetic vinegar and alkaline occurs. CMC is a biodegradable powder so it has the ability to break down naturally by the organisms in an ecosystem and can be incinerated afterwards. These facts make it a very environmentally friendly material to use. According to the FEEDAP Panel, CMC is considered safe for all animal species.
RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION Is about doing more and better with less (impact). It is also about disconnecting economic growth from environmental degradation, increasing resource efficiency and promoting sustainable lifestyles. This sustainable development goal (12) connects to my design Austral as I focus on integrating environmental sustainability in producing and consuming; promoting sustainable consumption by making the people more aware of the material use in fashion and furniture design. This starts at the beginning of the production process, at the making of the materials. By using plant-based biomaterials I aim to create a material that can be a replacement in fashion and furniture design. In fashion with the mean of replacing the hardware and in furniture by using it as a recycled and sustainable material to sculpture. In order to grow and develop sustainably, it is necessary to maximize the natural resources and minimize the use of toxic materials, waste and pollutants, that frequently generated in the production and consumption process. By the use of various measurements and different sources, a new pattern can be created that replaces the materials that have a toxic impact on the environment.
