Technological watch

As part of this collaboration design concepts have been developed that have the potential to disrupt traditional product concepts and trigger transformative designs enable sufficiency, recyclability and reuse as well as the substitution of fossil materials. The winning concepts will be unveiled at , an exhibition that is opening in September in conjunction with London Design Festival.

The partnership was designed to trigger a radical reappraisal of production and consumption patterns, and to demonstrate how multiple industries can make the urgent shift to renewable, circular materials in their products. 

During 2023, a team of fifty Product and Industrial Design students from Central Saint Martins tackled a brief to build on a set of new renewable materials and design everyday products which are embracing the trio of reduced material use, introduction of new, more sustainable materials and supporting recyclability. The designs were evaluated by a diverse panel of expert judges for their design quality, contribution to renewable circularity, commercial viability and their potential to disrupt conventional thinking in multiple industries.

The eight shortlisted concepts are:

• a mono-material and modular motorcycle armour 
• furniture crafted from a single sheet of bioplastic material 
• a versatile, modular, and interchangeable snowboard binding 
• a hybrid, modular, electro-acoustic synthesizer made from 100% renewably sourced bioplastic
• a stylish plogging set combining environmental care, comfort and fitness
• a transformative rationing stamp setting rigorous standards to authenticate sustainability claims 
• a modular shoe designed to address the prevailing issue of shoe waste by prioritising repairability
• six user-friendly devices for camping

© UPM“We are scaling a first-of-its-kind biorefining business to offer a new generation of biomass-based renewable materials, helping brands globally to reduce their CO2 footprint and de-fossilize their products,” said Martin Ledwon, Vice President Stakeholder Relations, UPM Biorefining & Technology. “Creating a vision for this defossilization is a task that goes beyond one company – it’s a collective effort, best driven by ingenious minds and disruptive ideas. In this spirit, we partnered with UAL Central Saint Martins where generations of designers are educated to think disruptively and to design against the big challenges of our times. These new designs exhibited at Design Transforms ’23 undoubtedly have the potential to inspire brands and designers to exit fossil-based materials.” 

UPM’s primary role in collaborations such as this is one of catalysts – helping to accelerate the transition to a circular bioeconomy by sparking a reappraisal of what’s possible; advocating for change; showcasing and promoting brilliant concepts and ideas; connecting people, ideas, organizations, investors and communities and mentoring the next generation of leaders and designers.

“Through our stimulating partnership with UPM, we have gained an invaluable opportunity to engage with concrete and pressing needs in design for manufacturing,” said Nick Rhodes, Programme Director, Product Ceramic and Industrial Design, Central Saint Martins. “This collaboration has challenged us to develop compelling propositions that not only demonstrate but advocate for the urgent transition away from fossil fuels to renewable sources in manufacturing materials. This partnership is both challenging and inspiring, aligning with our commitment to transformation through design to a more responsible and sustainable future.”

Design Transforms ’23 runs from 11 September – 15 October at the Lethaby Gallery in King’s Cross, London. Further information about the partnership and the shortlisted design concepts on display can be found .

UPM BiochemicalsUPM Biochemicals offers innovative, sustainable and competitive wood-based biochemicals for replacing fossil-based raw materials and improving the environmental performance in various applications. End-use segments for renewable glycols include textiles, PET bottles, packaging, coolants, composites, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and detergents. Lignin-based Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF) offer a sustainable alternative to carbon black and precipitated silica in a broad range of rubber and plastic applications. UPM is building an industrial scale biorefinery in Leuna, Germany to convert solid wood into next generation biochemicals. UPM Biochemicals is accelerating the transition to a circular bioeconomy – where renewable feedstocks, sustainable production and sustainable consumption are the new normal.

UPMWe deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. As the industry leader in responsibility, we are committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change. We employ 17,200 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 11.7 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore – Beyond fossils.

Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London Across art, design, and performance the students and staff of Central Saint Martins create ideas, materials and actions for a better future.  Among our alumni shaping the world through creative action are Campbell Addy, Miles Aldridge, Grace Wales Bonner, Jarvis Cocker, Isamaya Ffrench, Antony Gormley, Craig Green, Isaac Julien, Jean Jullien, Ib Kamara, Afroditi Krassa, Rene Mati?, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Morag Myerscough, Saul Nash, Simone Rocha, Zineb Sedira and Yinka Shonibare.  
Central Saint Martins is part of University of the Arts London (UAL)  

University of the Arts LondonUniversity of the Arts London (UAL) offers an extensive range of courses in art, design, fashion, communication and performing arts. Our graduates go on to work in and shape the creative industries worldwide. UAL is ranked second in the world for Art and Design in the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject ®.  

The University has a world-class reputation and is made up of 6 equally renowned Colleges and 5 institutes: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion, Wimbledon College of Arts, AKO Storytelling Institute, UAL Creative Computing Institute, UAL Decolonising Arts Institute and UAL Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute.