A sponge made from a fusion of cotton fibre and squid bone could help to clear some of the world's microplastic pollution after a team of Chinese researchers found it can soak up as much as 99.8 per cent of the particles from water samples. More about Squid-bone sponge found to soak up 99.8 per cent of microplastics
The World Cement Association has predicted that global demand for cement and clinker will decrease more than previously expected by 2050 due to changing market trends and sustainable material advancements. More about World Cement Association predicts "unprecedented transformation" in cement demand over next 25 years
The realities of climate change have driven another big year in material innovation in 2024. Here are 10 of the best solutions that have put a promising spin on cement, plastic, fur, linoleum, or even introduced something new. More about The top 10 material innovations of 2024
For the V&A museum's 2024 Make Good installation, design and research studio Material Cultures has developed alternatives to plywood and OSB made from underused woodland resources including pine needles and birch bark. More about Material Cultures transforms woodland waste into sustainable sheet materials
The latest edition of our weekly Dezeen Agenda newsletter features Kvadrat's launch of its first recycled polyester textile. Subscribe to Dezeen Agenda now. More about Dezeen Agenda features a recycled polyester textile by Kvadrat
Fossil fuel-based polyurethane foam has been a firm favourite in furniture manufacturing for over half a century. Jane Englefield investigates the consequences of this dependable but unsustainable material. More about The "knotty problem" of polyurethane foam
Textile brand Kvadrat has worked with designer Teruhiro Yanagihara to launch its first recycled polyester textile made of waste fabric instead of the usual plastic bottles. More about Kvadrat launches first recycled polyester textile actually made from polyester
Ukrainian architecture practice Makhno Studio has developed a range of textured clay panels for use as insulation and interior decoration that naturally regulate humidity. More about Makhno Studio creates breathable clay panels to improve indoor air quality
British textile brand Kirkby Design has created what it believes to be the first interior fabric made from aloe vera – a plant that grows without need for chemicals, fertilisers or additional watering. More about Aloe vera provides "sustainable alternative" to cotton in Kirkby Design textile
Dutch designers Suzanne Oude Hengel and Joris de Groot have developed a shoe using just one material – a recyclable thermoplastic that can be knitted, 3D-printed and welded. More about Welded Loop's experimental shoes are made from only one material
Researcher Tavs Jorgensen has created a method of extruding cob into brick shapes, in an effort to make the low-carbon biomaterial more accessible. More about Tavs Jorgensen develops cob bricks for low-carbon construction
Omani design collective Nawa has created a plastic-free filament for 3D printing using waste date seeds, which is on display at Dutch Design Week. More about RePit is a 3D printing filament made from leftover date pits
Tokyo-based design studio We+ has released a portable table lamp made from a material that it has developed, which contains rubble and debris from building sites. More about We+ makes portable Remli lamp from "hardly recyclable" urban detritus
Material-saving and reversible construction approaches are showcased in the spine-like Cadenza concrete spiral staircase, created by researchers at technology university ETH Zurich working with ROK Architects. More about ETH Zurich explores novel fabrication method for light and reusable concrete staircase
Designer Christopher Bellamy has sought to marry biotechnology and craft in a series of works that combine traditional knowledge from artisans in the Pacific Islands with a new material made from bioluminescent algae. More about Biodesign meets Pacific Islander craft in glowing Lucid Life objects
US researchers working with SHoP Architects have created a potential alternative to steel and concrete as a structural floor material: recyclable panels made entirely from bioplastic and wood flour. More about Wood waste and bioplastic floor panel boasts the strength of steel
Furry seating, biomaterial lights and tactile AI devices feature in Dezeen and ASUS Zenbook's Design You Can Feel exhibition, which is open to the public until 22 September. More about Design You Can Feel exhibition opens during LDF
Promotion: this year's Brick in Architecture Awards has opened for submissions, with competitors encouraged to submit innovative brick projects to showcase "brick's virtually limitless versatility". More about Entries open for 2024 Brick in Architecture Awards
A garment clad with iridescent wooden sequins is among the projects on display at the Designs for a Cooler Planet exhibition at Finland's Aalto University, demonstrating innovative applications of cellulose. More about Four materials from Helsinki Design Week that explore the potential of cellulose
Future Facility has created a conceptual artificial intelligence device that aims to provide a "calmer" relationship with technology for ASUS Zenbook and Dezeen's Design You Can Feel exhibition, which opens tomorrow at London Design Festival. More about Future Facility uses Ceraluminum to create AI device that aims to "bring about calmness"