How and why Checkerspot makes biomaterials available and accessible

Over the past decade, there have been countless innovations in bio-based materials – from mushroom leather to spider silk to seaweed plastic. More often, however, access to these breakthrough materials remains limited to large companies and brands that can place bulk orders, excluding individuals and consumer groups interested in and excited about innovations in this area. p>

Checkerspot, a materials innovation biotech company I mentioned before, wants to change that. Earlier this month, they launched the Pollinator™ kit to put renewable materials in the hands of anyone – big brands, small manufacturers or individuals – who want to design and build with bio-based materials. The kit includes Checkerspot's algae-based polyurethane that allows designers and product developers to increase the renewable content of their prototypes and products.

In 2019, the company launched the outdoor brand WNDR Alpine, to show that bio-based materials and products can compete with fossil fuel-based alternatives. The launch of the Pollinator Kit is the company's next step in helping the world shift away from fossil fuels. To learn more about the product, I spoke to Mitch Heinrich, Checkerspot's lead designer for the Pollinator Kit and founder of what for, a design studio focused on sustainable materials and renewable energy product development.

Christopher Marquis: What is the Pollinator Kit?

Mitch Heinrich, Lead Designer at Checkerspot for the Pollinator Kit

Checkerspot

Mitch Heinrich: The Pollinator Kit is really twofold. It's a program we're launching to put new, innovative and more sustainable materials directly into the hands of the people most likely to benefit from them and create change in the world. The Pollinator Kit is a sample pack, Checkerspot Polyurethane Test Kit, which is a material derived from algae oil that has been created through fermentation. The Pollinator Kit is a way to make it easier to create products and prototypes using more sustainable materials. We spent a lot of time designing the kit to be as easy to use as possible and as accessible as possible for people who have never touched this type of construction before.

Marquis: What was the motivation behind the Pollinator Kit?

Heinrich: The Pollinator Kit was born out of frustration that these materials, more durable versions of the materials we use every day, are starting to make the headlines very frequently, but are rarely available to buy and sell. use. some products. We believe that if we put this material in the hands of designers, educators and creators; the people who are ready to use them and who are most likely to bring about change. It was also born out of the idea that Checkerspot has this technology out of the box and has already made its way into commercial products like skis and snowboards thanks to their...