Sustonable: What, Where and Why?
By Purva Chawla
At MaterialDriven we are big fans of hybrid materials, new inventions that exist between traditional material categories and sail past the expectations we have from them–delivering far more, for far less.
This is certainly the case with Sustonable, a decorative and functional new surface material crafted from quartz and recycled PET (rPET) sourced from waste plastic bottles. A combination of a low volume of virgin material (natural stone in this case) with recycled matter (pulled away before it can pollute our oceans and landfills), this a material with an excellent environmental footprint. More specifically, and with no added chemicals in its composition, Sustonable has a very low carbon footprint, consumes comparatively little energy to produce, and leaves behind no harmful residue during its manufacture or use. In fact, the material is 100% circular, which means that at the end of its life, sheets of Sustonable can simply be crushed and directed back into new rounds of production.
The best way to understand this material and all the possibilities it offers, however, is to imagine in a variety of different hypothetical contexts or ‘Scenes’. Intended for interior architectural use, the palette of visual textures, colors, and effects that Sustainable offers are ripe for use in both residential and commercial environments, poetic enough for solitary and more luxurious spaces but resilient enough for busy and heavily trafficked areas.
Scene 1: Sustonable in a Coffee shop
Context: A sustainable, boutique coffee chain sets up a series of unique stores and employs Sustonable materials for its worktops, display counters and Cafe tables.
Story: In the beautifully eclectic coffee shops, sheets of Sustonable have been used in a variety of surfaces used constantly by employees and customers alike. The strong, resilient and impact-resistant nature of the material makes it ideal for spaces that will be used constantly and heavily, while its non-porous character means that the Sustonable surfaces in the cafes are hygienic, germ-resistant, and easy to wipe clean quickly. This is unlike natural stone, while still offering the tempting aesthetic of that rich material.
With a huge aesthetic palette to choose from, from mono-colors, to ‘Eco-stones’ to more in-vogue terrazzo effects, each of the coffee chain’s locations can be visually unique while offering consistency in terms of construction, brand identity, and maintenance. Finally, since every m2 of Sustonable sheet material consumes and is responsible for recycling 100 PET bottles, this is something that the sustainable coffee brand highlights and celebrates as it uses the material as much as possible in its locations.
Scene 2: Sustonable in the Office
Context: A rising technology company with an innovation mindset is keen to use Sustonable for its interiors, especially for its wall panels and the worktops of its common areas such as lounges and dining spaces.
Story: The extremely lightweight, and cost-effective nature of Sustonable means that the company has been able to use the resilient material in abundance, and across many interior walls and worktops for its heavily trafficked common areas. This lightweight nature is owed to the fact that Sustonable relies on recycled PET itself as the binder in its composition, and employs a much lower volume of stone compared to other engineered stone surfaces. This makes for easier and faster installation at the office’s spaces.
Since the technology company is committed to sustainability goals of its own, creating healthy interior environments is of the essence. Sustonable plugs in here beautifully since it is crafted using a process devoid of toxic accelerators and catalysts and emits no VOCs. Further contributing to sustainability targets is the fact that when the company pursues a renovation in a few years’ time, or moves its location, all of the Sustonable surfaces can be recycled 100% back into new material, creating zero waste. In the meantime, the hard-wearing, water-resistant and hygienic nature of the material makes for years of safe, and enjoyable use for the company’s employees (especially in a post covid era).
Scene 3: Sustonable at Home
Context: A young couple sets out to create a luxurious first home, while being mindful of the choices they are making, keeping in mind environmental impact.
Story: From kitchen counters and backsplashes to their bathrooms, the couple decides to use Sustonable materials across a variety of their spaces. Inspired by the effects possible and colors available, they are able to create the appearance of luxurious marble, and colorful terrazzo, as well as a more concrete-like finish, all from the same palette of Sustonable materials.
While the couple is keen to be in sync with new design trends, they are also seeking durable and long-lasting materials to ensure that their home has a long life. Sustonable offers them both and helps them create a home that is fresh, modern, and timeless. The resilient nature of the material means that the couple can use sheets of the material with ease in their kitchens and bathrooms, without fear of staining or damage over time. Above all, they are proud that the material they are using across their home is eco-conscious, has been sourced from waste, as well as judicious use of precious natural resources.
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