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18 November 2022
Author: The Future Laboratory
Image: #Merky FC by adidas and Stormzy, UK
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Austria – Beverage tech brand Waterdrop has launched an innovative hydration product involving solid cubes that turn water into a sugar- and caffeine-free electrolyte replenisher.
The ‘microdrink’ hydration-boosting cubes are formulated to support endurance and recovery, but mainly to inspire people to drink more water. The formulation is enriched with a functional blend of five hydration-boosting electrolytes, nine vitamins and natural fruit flavourings using pure extracts and high-quality ingredients without flavour enhancers or preservatives.
Besides the health-supporting benefits, Waterdop’s ‘small cubes with big impact’ are an environmentally friendly alternative to bottled or canned sports and hydration drinks. Waterdrop estimates that the product uses 98% less plastic and emits 98% less CO2 for transport compared to a conventional bottled energy drink.
At LS:N Global, we have been monitoring the Alternative Energy Drinks market, namely the growing focus on healthier properties, updated branding and natural ingredients. Waterdrop’s dissolvable drink indicates that we can expect to see new innovative formats in the sector, enhancing the ease of use and requiring less packaging.
Microlytes by Waterdrop, Austria
The Soil Project by Yuhan Bai, The Netherlands
The Netherlands – Designed by Royal College of Art student Yuhan Bai, the Soil Project clothing collection features naturally dyed vintage garments paired with a newly developed soil-based leather alternative.
Presented at Dutch Design Week 2022, the innovative textile mimics the look and feel of animal leather and is highly flexible like silicone. But it is manufactured using simple, cheap and natural ingredients only. Bai experimented with soil until she came up with a proprietary mix of soil, gelatin, agar, starch, glycerin, gluten and water, which is boiled and poured into a thin mould to achieve the sleek, leather-like finish of the material. ‘The method of making this kind of material is similar to cooking food; many of its formulas and composition are derived from food and the nature of the goods,’ says Bai about her process.
Consumers are increasingly scrutinising the plant-based leather alternatives that fashion brands are using, wary of PVC-based, fragile or costly options. As such, more designers are introducing lines using biomaterials like Bai’s soil leather, which stands out with its energy-efficient and natural transformation process.
