The ever-growing mountain of waste, polluting commercial vehicles, the ageing population: we have more than enough problems to tackle in the years ahead. However, one solution has appeared from an unexpected source: new materials. The exhibition Fibre-Fixed. Composites in Design runs until 21 April 2019 at Design Museum Gent. This exhibition shows how combining (bio)plastic with fibres yields materials we have never seen before. Synthetic materials like epoxy, polyester or polypropylene are reinforced with carbon, glass, flex, hemp or wood fibres: a marriage between composites that combines the strength and rigidity of fibres with the lightness of plastics. Carbon fibres are, for example, just as rigid as steel, but weigh five times less. And that inspires designers. If the Eames were alive today, they would be playing with carbon fibre --John Hamilton, Design Director of Coalesse – 2014 At least 85% of the ecological
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