Are you looking for materials that are both innovative and genuinely sustainable? With sustainability now a key priority across architecture, interiors and product design, material selection has become more important than ever. As designers, architects and makers seek responsible alternatives to traditional materials, access to verified sustainable solutions is vital.
That’s why we’re here! At MTRL Library, we want to support architects, interior designers, specifiers, fabricators, and makers in discovering and sourcing innovative and sustainable materials. By bringing together innovative surface brands and materials in one central platform, our curated library simplifies the discovery and specification of environmentally responsible materials.
Our Mission is Built Around Sustainable Material Access
At our core, MTRL Library exists to make sustainable materials easier to discover and specify. Our platform acts as a central hub where designers and fabricators can explore innovative surfaces, request samples and access technical information in one place.
This approach addresses one of the biggest challenges within sustainable design: accessibility. Even when responsible materials exist, they are often difficult to source, compare or evaluate. We remove that friction by consolidating brands, samples and information into a single streamlined system.
Rather than acting purely as a distributor, we are a living resource for the creative industry, connecting designers with material innovation and responsible sourcing.
Curating Solid Surface Brands That Share Our Sustainability Values
A key part of our sustainability commitment at MTRL Library is the brands we choose to work with. We intentionally partner with manufacturers that prioritise recycled content, renewable resources and circular material systems.
This curated approach ensures that the materials available through our platform align with the growing demand for environmentally responsible design solutions.
Examples of these partnerships include:
Smile Materials
Award-winning recycled surfaces produced from recycled plastic and waste streams, designed for recovery, reuse and remanufacture within a circular system.
KAVA Surfaces
Plastic-free composite materials made using recycled coffee grounds and organic waste.
Organoid
Natural surfaces created using renewable plant fibres, including hay, petals, wool and moss.
OTTAN Materials
Bio-based sheets manufactured by upcycling food and agricultural waste into durable surfaces.
Suberra Cork
High-density cork panels produced using 100% post-industrial recycled cork grain.
Hanex
Solid surface materials designed for durability and longevity, helping reduce the need for frequent replacement while offering a repairable and recyclable surface option for interior applications.
Each of these materials demonstrates a different approach to sustainability, from recycled content and waste recovery to bio-based manufacturing and circular production.
Supporting Circular Design in the Built Environment
The materials used in buildings and interiors have a significant environmental impact. From embodied carbon to waste generation, material selection plays a critical role in determining the sustainability of a project.
With MTRL Library, we support a more circular design approach by prioritising materials that reuse existing resources, minimise waste or originate from renewable sources. Many of the brands within the library transform waste streams into new surfaces, diverting materials such as plastics, food waste and solid surfaces from landfill.
By highlighting these innovations, we help designers move away from conventional resource-intensive materials and toward solutions that support longer material lifecycles.
Creating a Network of Sustainable Material Innovation
Beyond individual products, we are building a broader ecosystem around sustainable materials. Our platform connects manufacturers, designers, architects and fabricators, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing across the industry.
This network approach helps bring emerging materials into real-world projects faster. As more designers discover and specify these products, sustainable alternatives become more commercially viable and widely adopted.
Through this model, we’re not only showcasing materials but actively supporting the growth of responsible material innovation in the UK design sector.
With MTRL, You Can Make Responsible Material Choices
As sustainable design becomes a greater priority across the built environment, choosing the right materials has never been more important. At MTRL Library, we bring together innovative brands that are committed to responsible material development. For architects, designers and makers looking to incorporate more sustainable surfaces into their projects, the library provides a practical way to discover new materials, explore their credentials and request samples in one place.
By working with us, you can confidently specify materials that support both creative ambition and more sustainable design outcomes. Explore our library today to find sustainable materials that can elevate your next project!
