Two seemingly very different materials, a rigid panel and a flexible textile sheet, yet similar in composition: flax and a biopolymer (PLA). Another thing they have in common is that these biosourced materials are French innovations!

Textile sheeting is a linen and PLA weave that retains a textile feel, and is available in a range of standard or customizable colors.

What's really interesting is that this material can be thermoformed to create lightweight structures and three-dimensional partitions that diffuse light slightly.

The second material ranges from sheet to rigid panel, with flax fibers added to the biopolymer to provide mechanical properties while creating an interesting aesthetic. Today, this material is available in white, black and brown, with the creation of new colors requiring large volumes. Developed as a communication medium, the material can be printed.

Sheets are laser-cut, panels are machined and can be thermoformed or welded.

We were able to experiment with this material and carry out a number of shaping tests during the design of the GEOM table, designed by Sara Kele.