Revolutionary cork upholstery material unveiled at Expo Osaka
Original article by cork-product.co.uk
Credit: Cooloo
More than 160 countries presented their visions for a better future at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai on the theme ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’.
In keeping with this, the Netherlands pavilion embodied “a future-oriented philosophy in which energy, circularity, and our responsibility as ‘guests on Earth’ are central. Our planet is a closed system, nothing new is added. Everything that doesn’t grow is limited.”
Official partner of the Netherlands Pavilion, Cooloo provided custom-made benches around the iconic 10.6-meter solar sphere finished in recycled cork and other upcycled materials using their patented Endless Life® technology.
Sustainable furnishings for the expo shop
At the Expo custom-made tables, counters, and seating were crafted by Cooloo using their patented technique of applying a layer of waste streams of recycled cork to produce stylish sustainable furniture.
Endless Life® technology explained
Credit: Cooloo
Cooloo develops and creates materials for the interior design, construction and other industries using residual materials such as recycled cork stoppers. These are ground down, combined with bio-based binders which can be used on almost any substrate with their Endless Life® technology.
Re-upholstery of existing furniture, acoustic panels and more
Credit: Cooloo
With a natural aesthetic and versatile applications, cork suits both hard and soft applications. Using Cooloo’s technology ensures low environmental impact and high durability making it ideal for sustainable interior design.
Giving old furniture a second life
At this school in Rotterdam they had an attic full of discarded furniture – still functional, but stained, worn and far from inspiring. Throwing it all away would have been easy, but wasteful. So, they asked a different question: ‘how can we give them a second life?’ That’s where Cooloo was able to help.
Using their circular spray technology, Cooloo was able to transform each item without the need for reupholstering and without generating waste. A clever reuse of what was there – saving materials, time, energy, and a significant amount of CO2. This turned outdated pieces of furniture into durable, stylish, sustainable designs. Perfect for spaces like a school canteen where function meets design.
With a background in interior design, Cooloo originally looked at reducing waste and offcuts from carpets and fabrics in the furnishing and garment industries. Since then, their circular technology has broadened to many other sectors including building, construction and even concrete. Partnerships and licences have now been agreed with customers in New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, Lithuania, Sweden and Dubai and the company is actively seeking more.
Further information: https://cooloo.nl/
With thanks to architects and designers to the Netherlands pavilion at Osaka Expo 2025:
RAU Architects: https://anewdawn.rau.eu/
Tellart design agency: https://www.tellart.com/