Biomaterials grown from coconut waste
Malai Biomaterials works at the intersection of material innovation and craft, developing bioculturally rooted materials from bacterial cellulose grown on coconut processing waste. Based in South India, the studio combines fermentation techniques with local making traditions, creating materials that are as much about culture and community as they are about performance.
At Material Matters Copenhagen, Malai presents a range of material explorations across textiles, objects and surfaces. Highlights include the Armadillo Khadi Tapestry, which combines handwoven cotton with Malai biocomposite, and a series of palm weave objects informed by traditional techniques. The studio will also introduce Malai Pure, a newly developed biomaterial shown through early-stage prototypes, alongside a broader library of samples that reflect its ongoing research into circular, living material systems.