A plastic-free material made from the by-product of another industry is a double win in our eyes. Bagasse – a material left behind after sugarcane production – is a wonderfully versatile raw ‘ingredient’ that has uses across packaging and construction.

Where it’s making the most impact, however, is within the food services market, where it’s rapidly become a replacement for polystyrene takeaway containers. Heat, grease and oil resistant, this surprisingly sturdy fibre can be formed into moulded pulp and pressed into a wide range of shapes. Its potential stretches far beyond that of greasy food, however, with luxury brands now replacing plastic with this renewable feedstock that offers a textural, matte finish. Our only caveat is that the local sourcing of bagasse is key – shipping it thousands of miles makes little carbon sense.