That’s why the bio-based material design studio is developing 100% compostable acoustic panels made from local seaweed.
Compostable Construction Solution
Seacork Studio did not originally set out to produce acoustic panels but rather a new compostable construction material. However, through the lengthy development of this material, Seacork began leaning toward the materials’ properties. It was soft, light, and porous and showed the perfect properties to absorb sound.
Filling a Gap
Acoustic panels are widely used as false ceilings or interior finishes to improve sound quality, but most are made of mineral fiber, which is energy-intensive and never biodegrades. The process to make these types of panels involves melting rock at 2,000 degrees Celsius into fibers and then mixing them with an array of toxic binders.
Seacork Founder Annie Dahan, who has a background in Sustainability and Architecture, knew there had to be a better process. Dahan was motivated by the lack of bio-based materials in this $10 billion industry and centered the studio’s supply chains, products, and business model around impact first.
What’s Next?
Seacork Studio’s product is currently pre-commercialization, but it hasn’t stopped the studio from taking advantage of networking and promotional opportunities to garner support for its product.
In October 2024, Annie Dahan represented Seacork Studio at the 2024 Ocean Exchange in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ocean Exchange is an annual event that recognizes and helps advance solutions that contribute to the Blue Economy and ocean health.
Dahan, who presented Seacork Studio’s flagship product along with fifteen other selected finalists, expressed her enthusiasm around the ocean technology accelerator event as a whole: “Programs like Ocean Exchange are incredibly important for the advancement of innovation. By bringing 150 Ocean experts in a room for 2-3 days, the potential for strategic connections and valuable feedback is so vast.
“We are very grateful to be a part of the 2024 cohort.”
As the exclusive media partner to the event, ON&T’s editorial team was onsite in late October, bringing readers all the news and insights from Fort Lauderdale. To find out more, visit: https://oceannews.com/featured-stories/accelerating-the-adoption-of-innovative-solutions-ocean-exchange-2024/
