Global industries need to exit their dependency on virgin fossil-based resources, urgently. To meet that challenge, UPM of Finland is investing in a world-first biorefinery in Germany to enable many industries to drive down their carbon footprint – by replacing fossil-based chemicals with renewable biochemicals, sourced from sustainable forests.
Tilton has partnered with the UPM team in Germany for the last 2 years to build and execute a market engagement strategy to build brand recognition and prove the benefits of the technology, to commercial stakeholders and policymakers.
A core element of the effort to inspire change is a collaboration between UPM and Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, a global leader in fashion and design.
More than 50 international students were challenged to develop products using UPM sample materials. UPM experts took time to work with the students to refine their designs – each tackling the worst excesses of the throwaway economy.
We assembled an international expert jury - including fashion icon Daniel Lismore, Bloomberg analyst Kirti Vasta, Dezeen editorial director Max Fraser and Fashion United Editor, Don-Alvin Adegeest.
The winning designs included:
• A modular shoe, based on a Nike Air Jordan, featuring no permanent fixings, that can easily be recycled end of life.
• Modular and interchangeable biomaterial snowboard bindings, to enable riders to adapt and grow their style – and exchange or recycle at end of use.
•A music synthesiser that seeks to break down the macho, black stylised equipment that dominates the industry – and provide a bio-based alternative with interchangeable components.
• Essential furniture, made from biomaterials, that comes with a rationing stamp, inspired by the material scarcity of WW2.
• A Primitive Adventure Guide Kit - eight accurately re-imagined survival tools, to take camping back to its very roots and reject the wasteful modern gear.
The project culminated in a major exhibition and debate at Central St Martins during London Design Festival in September, attended by 200 industry leaders.
The collaboration was recognised as the "Best Sustainability Initiative" at the CorpComms Awards 2023 and "Best Environmental Product Campaign" Award at PR Moment ESG Awards 2023.