AWARD YEAR
2021
CATEGORY
Body
GOALS
Responsible Consumption & Production
KEYWORDS
biomaterials , agriculture, organic, output reuse, eco friendly
COUNTRY
India
DESIGNED BY
Malai
WEBSITE
https://malai.eco/about/
Malai
Material made from coconut water waste
Malai – (noun) a newly developed biocomposite material made from entirely organic and sustainable bacterial cellulose, grown on agricultural waste sourced from the coconut industry in Southern India. We work with the local farmers and processing units, collecting their waste coconut water (which would otherwise be dumped, causing damage to the soil) and re-purposing it to feed the bacteria’s cellulose production. One small coconut-processing unit can collect 4000 litres of water per day, which we can use to make 320 sq. meters of Malai.
Malai is a flexible, durable biocomposite material with a feel comparable to leather or paper. It is water resistant and because it contains absolutely no artificial ‘nasties’ it will not cause any allergies, intolerances or illness. It is a completely vegan product and as such you could even eat it!*
A product made from Malai will last many years if properly cared for.