Zhixin Xue developed a sustainable bio-leather from milk casein at the Royal College of Art, addressing the 490 million tonnes of annual milk waste. Unlike traditional or synthetic leather, this eco-friendly bio-leather quickly biodegrades, matching animal leather's durability and aesthetic while being cost-effective. Xue focuses on using waste materials to promote sustainable design.
Milk leather
Aug 18, 2023
Materials
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Zhixin Xue, a Product Designer from the Royal College of Art, delved into the potential of biodegradable bio-leather made from milk casein for her graduation project. This innovative material, derived from expired milk, offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional animal and synthetic leathers.
Addressing the pressing global issue of milk waste, which amasses to nearly 490 million tonnes annually, Xue's bio-leather stands out for its rapid biodegradability. Unlike animal leather that takes up to 15 years to degrade, or synthetic versions which can persist for over 500 years, this bio-leather is environmentally friendly. Not only is it more affordable, but it also rivals the durability and aesthetic appeal of animal leather. Its visual evolution over time mirrors the sought-after color gloss changes seen in conventional leather products.
Xue's design approach focuses on the intersection of design, emerging materials, and sustainability. She is deeply vested in researching waste materials and by-products, with the aim of creating innovative substances that promote sustainable development. This philosophy was central in her crafting of an affordable, biodegradable leather substitute that challenges the dominance of synthetic and animal-based leathers.
Zhixin Xue 在今年的皇家藝術學院畢業設計項目中探究了由牛奶酪蛋白製成的可生物降解生物皮革，作為動物皮革和合成皮革的可持續且成本效益的替代品。
這種創新性材料來源於過期的牛奶，解決了全球每年約有4.9億噸的牛奶浪費問題。與需要15年才能分解的動物皮革或需要超過500年的合成版本不同，生物皮革展示了快速的生物降解性。它既環保，又在耐用性和美觀性方面與動物皮革相媲美，同時更加經濟實惠。其隨時間變化的視覺效果模仿了傳統皮革產品令人嚮往的色澤變化。
Zhixin Xue 是一位產品設計師，對設計、新興材料和可持續發展問題的融合有著濃厚的興趣。 她的設計方法以研究廢料和副產品為中心，旨在產生新物質並促進可持續發展。利用這些特性來製造一種經濟實惠、可生物降解的皮革替代品，能夠替代合成皮革和動物皮革。
Zhixin Xue
Zhixin Xue is a multi-disciplinary designer. Interested in the intersection of design, emerging materials and sustainability issues. Her design practice focuses on the exploration of waste materials and by-products to create new materials and promote sustainable development. In the past year of study in rca, she explored the waste of life. The properties of expired milk extracts were found. And use it to create a low-cost, biodegradable leather that can replace artificial, animal leather.
She remained curious about the world and finally broke out of her comfort zone. Explore emerging technologies and seek innovative ways. Hope to use design to influence society.
Zhixin Xue 是一位多元學科設計師。 對設計、新興材料和永續發展議題的交叉點感興趣。 她的設計實踐專注於探索廢棄材料和副產品以創造新材料並促進永續發展。 在RCA學習的這一年裡，她探索了生命的浪費。 發現了過期牛奶萃取物的特性。 並用它來製造一種低成本、可生物降解的皮革，可以取代人造、動物皮革。
她對世界保持好奇心，終於突破了自己的舒適圈。 探索新興技術並尋求創新方式。 希望用設計來影響社會。
Designer: Zhixin Xue @xuezxin @xuezx03
10012934@network.rca.ac.uk
Design Products (MA), Royal College of Art
