Regenerative Materials Collaboration: From Concept to Prototype

30 January 2026

LPF

Type: Text

Category: Launchpad innovation

Over the past six months the University has delivered a pioneering series of collaborative projects with four businesses working in the field of regenerative and bio-based organic materials.

These partnerships explored the potential of natural and recycled materials, including biochar, chitin, seaweed, and recycled plastics, through a structured but highly experimental product development process.

Each project was distinct in its material focus, market ambition, and technical challenge, yet all shared a common goal: to translate innovative ideas into tangible prototypes while building knowledge around regenerative product design.

The Launchpad Futures programme is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, which supports local projects that contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

What We Did

The projects collectively supported businesses from early-stage concepts through to developed prototypes. Activities included:

Experimental material and polymer testing with novel bio-based inputs
CAD development and digital prototyping
Virtual reality (VR) visualisations to explore form, scale, and use-context
Site visits and direct engagement with manufacturers
Conversations with potential investors and supply chain partners
Integration of live student briefs and hands-on student projects
Gamification approaches to explore user engagement and systems thinking

A key strength of the programme was the flow of knowledge exchange between businesses, University technicians, academic staff, and students, demonstrating how projects can evolve into live student briefs, extending their impact while providing real-world learning opportunities.

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Working with Regenerative Materials

Regenerative product design goes beyond reducing harm; it seeks to actively restore ecological systems, support circular economies, and work in harmony with natural cycles.

Within these projects, the use of materials such as seaweed, chitin, and biochar required extensive experimentation, iteration, and testing. This exploratory phase is essential to understand material properties, processing constraints, durability, and end-of-life pathways.

Some of the companies we have worked with include Glass Twinned to bring a new product to market, Binsmart to bring a new product and process to firm, Lovat Parks, and Restor’d.

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Impact and Outcomes

The programme delivered significant value:

Four businesses supported through bespoke, high-quality product development processes
New internal models for knowledge exchange and industry collaboration established
Strong engagement between academics, technicians, students, and external partners
Clear pathways identified for future development and investment

Crucially, this initiative demonstrated that the University can act as a catalyst for regenerative innovation, supporting businesses to explore new materials, reduce environmental impact, and develop future-facing products.

Looking Ahead

This programme provides a strong case study for continued support of regenerative materials research and industry collaboration and offers a scalable model for future partnerships aligned with sustainability, innovation, and regional economic development.