“Smart Sustainable Materials”: this exhibition at interzum Cologne presents the materials of the future

Also in 2013, the ‘innovation of interior’ piazza will once again be the creative centre at the Interzum trade fair and, as such, a major focal point for interior decorators, architects and designers. This time the focus is on “Smart Sustainable Materials”, i.e. functional and sustainable materials, which, besides their outstanding quality, offer an added value that is often not instantly visible, or which are based on natural resources.

This exhibition will present topics such as the efficient use of resources for the furniture making industry with biological lightweight construction materials and smart functions such as air cleaning materials. By hosting the special exhibition, ‘innovation of interior,’ at the interzum trade fair in 2013, Koelnmesse is once again offering a sophisticated forum for architects, designers, planners and product developers. Separate from the other halls, this exhibition focuses on trend-setting materials, material visions and innovative light installations. This year, the exhibition will be complemented by the topic “Smart Sustainable Materials”, which is devoted to the presentation of multi-functional and sustainable materials. Materials expert, Dr. Sascha Peters, who is responsible for planning this exhibition, explains the relevance of this topic: “We are on the cusp of restructuring our current product culture. The use of sustainable and smart materials with integral functionalities is set to increase immensely for architects and designers.” The Managing Director of Haute Innovation, an agency for materials and technology in Berlin, is a specialist in multi-functional materials, and by way of further information, offers interzum visitors the chance to attend daily presentations at the “Materials & Nature” piazza in Hall 6.

The complexity of the requirements exacted today, for example in furniture making and interior design, calls more than ever for solutions that greatly transcend the qualities traditionally offered. What are known as smart materials with added benefits such a functional added value or reactive features provide the answer. Advances in nanotechnology and bionics research make it possible for new functional materials to replace proven materials and offer both the furniture and construction industry undreamt-of potentials. The “Smart Sustainable Materials” exhibition has two focuses: firstly, functional materials, whose additional function is not visible on the outside, and secondly, sustainable materials. The functional materials include for example materials that change colour under the influence of heat or react to moisture in order to render inscriptions or logos visible. Also, materials that influence the climate and/or environment, e.g. by cleaning the air, absorbing or releasing moisture, are included in the range of exhibits on show.

All the products that belong to the second category of “Smart Sustainable Materials” cater to the major trend of sustainability. These include for example biomaterials, which are based almost entirely on natural components. Whilst others make use of waste materials: until recently, fish scales, coffee dregs and tea all ended up in the compost – but these days, they begin an innovative second lifecycle. A key focus is on biological lightweight construction materials. After all, paper honeycomb and polymers are nowhere near being the endpoint of development in lightweight construction materials. Popped corn provides a completely natural means of making wood-based materials up to 15% lighter in future and also bamboo rings integrated into particle boards or corn cobs without corn grains introduced into the wood mixture provide a new way of using resources efficiently. The “Smart Sustainable Materials” exhibition in Hall 4.2 is structured visually in the shape of the ‘innovation of interior’ logo; i.e. inside two arches. Visitors can also experience all the materials haptically at the stand. In the centre of the exhibition, visitors can see photos of numerous application examples. A “QR code” applied directly on the materials allows visitors to download further details on the materials and thus to save these directly. The next interzum will take place from: 13th – 16th May 2013 Cologne, Germany Source: Interzum Visit the Interzum website Read more news related Interzum published at Infurma