On a mission to eliminate the devastating effects of plastic, materials innovation experts von Holzhausen have developed a plastic-free topcoat that opens the door for endless applications.
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The company is addressing the long-standing issue of plastic as a topcoat being used across myriad industries. For decades, it’s adorned automotive seats, handbags, hardwood and even cereal boxes. This waxy protectant is sourced from petroleum, and we all know that’s not an environmentally-friendly move.
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Von Holzhausen’s response to the problem of petroleum-based plastics takes shape in its Liquidplant technology, offering a durable topcoat made entirely from plants. The material can be used to protect any number of existing and commonly used materials, such as leather and synthetic leather. However, it really shines in the sustainability sector when coupled with the company’s proprietary Terra Backing, which is made from agricultural waste.
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The company’s initial goal was to create an alternative for our current reliance on plastic coatings, which improves durability on products. While Liquidplant is that alternative, von Holzhausen went a step further in developing the plant-based backing material as well.
“Leather is a $116B industry with catastrophic effects on climate change,” the company said. “Alternatively, synthetic leather (which to many seems like the solution), is a $78B industry. However, both industries rely on plastic topcoats, a trillion dollar industry to make them durable and long-lasting which is why plastic has remained pervasive. The Liquidplant topcoat replaces the plastic topcoat that perpetuates our reliance on petroleum, which stays in landfills for centuries and breaks down into harmful microplastics.”
Finally, Liquidplant is an all-natural product made from corn sugar, castor oil and flaxseed oil. It’s biodegradable, yet offers long-lasting protection on fabrics of our era, such as cactus leather, paper, wood and mycelium. It can also be used on existing materials, such as animal leather and plastic to keep them in circulation longer and minimize unnecessary waste.
Images via von Holzhausen
