Find products

Use our product finder to search for products and materials

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive news about events and exhibitions, innovation and materials on the latest building product innovations, case studies and more.
I have read and agree to the terms and conditions of usage and The Building Centre's Privacy Policy.

Malai: biomaterial constructed from waste coconut water

20 Aug 2019
By Anna Marks, Content Editor
News

Malai is a sustainable and biocomposite material made from organic bacterial cellulose.

 

Malai is 'grown' on agricultural waste sourced from the coconut industry in Southern India.

 

The Malai researchers work with local farmers and processing units, collecting waste coconut water (which would otherwise be dumped) and repurpose it to feed the bacteria’s cellulose production.

 

One small coconut-processing unit can collect 4000 litres of water per day, which they can use to make 320 sq. metres of Malai.

 

The material is flexible and its texture feels similar to leather; it is also water resistant and biodegradable. 

 

To view more about Malia, visit their website