Institution
Material ConneXion is a global materials consultancy that helps companies
innovate through smart materials thinking.
Model
Material Connexion is a global materials consultancy with the world’s largest
library of innovative materials and processes. They aim to help companies
leverage material innovation to create better products and experiences.
Finance
Revenue is generated through consultancy services and membership based
materials libraries.
People
N/A
Place
Material Connexion now has 10 centres globally, offering consulting services
and materials libraries in New York (1997), Milan (2002), Cologne (2005),
Bangkok (2005), Daegu (2008), Istanbul (July,2011), Beijing (October,
2011), Seoul (November, 2011), Shanghai (January, 2012), and Skövde
(November, 2012).
Services/Practices
Material ConneXion offers three main services: consulting, materials library
and new material solutions.
The materials library houses over 6,500 advanced and sustainable materials
representing eight categories: polymers, glass, ceramics, carbon-based
materials, cement-based materials, metals, natural materials and natural
material derivatives. Members also have access to a comprehensive online
database.
Material Connexion offer expertise and access to resources on a
contract/subscription basis to help companies leverage material innovation
to create better products and experiences. The company offer: knowledge
of materials and cross-industry expertise; consulting services—from
innovative new product development to sustainability strategy, materials
sourcing, manufacturing support; and training workshops on consumer
experience.
The company is situated in the ‘post-research’ side of R&D, focusing
primarily on dissemination and application of innovative materials and
processes. They help to develop and apply design outcomes in products,
packaging, architecture, interiors, transportation and fashion. The company
is also committed to raising awareness of the potential of materials and the
significance of sustainability in design through regular exhibitions and
lectures for practicing designers and students. Material Connexion is
currently seeking to establish material libraries within academic institutions
around the world.
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Partnerships
Material Connexion has formal business partnerships with
McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), Environmental
Protection Encouragement Agency (EPEA) and George Little
Management. Each of these partnerships help Material Connexion to
deliver a series of unique services.
MBDC offers the Cradle to Cradle SM Product Certification System
that verifies manufactures’ achievements using a series of
environmental and social criteria. These criteria are based on the
principles of Cradle to Cradle, developed by McDonough, Braungart
and MBDC.
EPEA’s driving goal is to aid the development of healthy products
through the development of ‘Intelligent Product Systems’ (IPS) that
are both environmentally safe and allow technical nutrients to be
recovered and reprocessed. EPEA is a licensee of the Cradle to
Cradle SM Product Certification System developed by MBDC.
Together with George Little Management, Material ConneXion has
developed ‘Materials Matter’ a new trade show within the International
Contemporary Furniture Fair.
Policies
For profit organisation offering contract consultancy services and fees
based materials library access.
Portfolio
MCI work with companies and clients big and small, from all industries. They
are the advisors to leading companies seeking creative, competitive,
sustainable advantages through strategic material selection. They engage
frequently with universities and strive to spread knowledge and create
dialogue around the subject of material innovation.
Material ConneXion was named a “Top Eco-Innovator” by The New York
Times in 2007, recognised for its efforts to make information on sustainable
materials and sustainable design practices more readily available to
designers and corporations. Material ConneXion's consulting work and
Materials Library has led to the development and improvement of consumer
products, architecture, packaging, interiors and numerous other designrelated projects. The company's clients have included design and
architecture firms, government agencies, and large corporations such as
Adidas, Target Corporation, PUMA, and BMW.
Contact
materialconnexion.com
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