To achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) of enterprises, bio-sourced, biocompatible and biodegradable advanced materials can be transformed into sustainable and user-friendly products across multiple industries including construction, healthcare, electronics and transportation. Additionally, these materials can replicate and replace the existing products that will be crucial in achieving the aspired SDGs, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Prasad Kakade, Senior Disruptive Tech Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The drive towards corporate sustainability is pushing the demand for advanced materials with enhanced functionalities. Innovative startups, for instance, are introducing bio-based materials for sustainable buildings, bio-inspired electronics, and bio-friendly implants to create eco-friendly products.”
GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Beyond the Molecule: Can Advanced Materials Steer Next Wave of Industrial Revolution?’ highlights the implementation of advanced materials to develop sustainable end-products across a range of industries.
Construction
US-based startup Mighty Buildings is a construction technology company that combines advanced materials, patented 3D printing technology, and robotics automation to develop sustainable building materials. The startup collaborated with California’s sustainable real estate developer Palari to build fire and water-resistant 3D-printed homes powered by solar energy.
Electronics
US-based material innovation company Zymergen develops advanced materials by combining biology, machine learning, and automation. In April 2021, the company debuted its bio-inspired polyimide film ‘Hyaline Z2’ for electronic displays at Touch Taiwan, a leading display exhibition. The film exhibits superior transparency and mechanical properties.
Healthcare
MiRus, a US-based startup, develops molybdenum-rhenium superalloy (MoRe) to create bio-friendly implants. It is fast expanding into various orthopedic applications, including foot, ankle, and cardiovascular. In September 2021, the startup received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its ‘IO expandable lumbar interbody fusion system’ made with MoRe.
Transportation
Indian startup Spectalite produces biocomposite materials using renewables such as bamboo, rice husk, and crop waste primarily to manufacture sustainable products. These products are designed to be deployed in industries such as automotive to develop lightweight interior and exterior components that can reduce carbon footprint.
Packaging
French startup Lactips uses milk proteins as its raw material to produce a clean and biodegradable plastic that is used to design water-soluble and sustainable packaging that can replace single-use plastics.
Kakade concludes: “Material science has the potential to significantly contribute towards environmentally conscious efforts, which would result in greater adoption of advanced biomaterials by incumbent enterprises. Emerging technologies such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology would facilitate the development of green and sustainable advanced materials in the coming years.”
