BIO-TEXTILE
Bell Living Lab
Bell Living Lab is an innovative, Bandung-based biomaterials research and development enterprise that is redefining the materials industry through circular economy principles.
Material Story
"Natural Waste: Redefining the materials industry by upcycling agricultural byproducts—primarily coffee waste—into sustainable, high-performance alternatives without compromising on aesthetic quality or durability."
Operating at the intersection of biotechnology and industrial design, the company specializes in upcycling agricultural byproducts—primarily coffee waste—into sustainable, high-performance alternatives to conventional leather, wood, and foam. By challenging extractive production models, Bell Living Lab sets a new standard for how industries can operate in harmony with the environment without compromising on aesthetic quality or durability.
The core of Bell Living Lab’s operations is a robust, community-driven ecosystem. The company collaborates directly with local coffee farming communities, artisans, and hundreds of coffee shops across the region to source its raw materials. This initiative diverts hundreds of tonnes of coffee waste from landfills annually, significantly reducing methane emissions while providing additional income streams for local farmers and rural economies.
Core Material Innovations:
• M-Tex (Coffee Leather): A patented, fully bio-based leather alternative created through a 30-day bacterial fermentation process utilizing coffee nutrients. Dyed with natural batik pigments, M-Tex is PeTA Vegan and USDA Biobased certified, boasting a tensile strength of 13.25 MPa that exceeds standard industry requirements for durability.
• C-Foam: A flexible, moldable panel material crafted from coffee parchment and grounds, offering excellent tactile and sound-absorbing qualities.
• Kalpa: A rigid, lightweight, and weather-resistant board material developed for architectural applications and sustainable furniture design.
• MADS: A highly pliable, leather-like material made from M-Tex offcuts, demonstrating a commitment to zero-waste even within their own production processes.
Bell Living Lab provides scalable, cruelty-free materials designed for modern applications across fashion accessories, furniture, and corporate merchandise. Backed by international recognition, including the Good Design Award Japan, the company continues to drive research into other forms of agricultural waste—such as cocoa husks and sorghum—proving that exceptional design and material innovation can be the foundation of a truly sustainable future.
The core of Bell Living Lab’s operations is a robust, community-driven ecosystem. The company collaborates directly with local coffee farming communities, artisans, and hundreds of coffee shops across the region to source its raw materials. This initiative diverts hundreds of tonnes of coffee waste from landfills annually, significantly reducing methane emissions while providing additional income streams for local farmers and rural economies.
Core Material Innovations:
• M-Tex (Coffee Leather): A patented, fully bio-based leather alternative created through a 30-day bacterial fermentation process utilizing coffee nutrients. Dyed with natural batik pigments, M-Tex is PeTA Vegan and USDA Biobased certified, boasting a tensile strength of 13.25 MPa that exceeds standard industry requirements for durability.
• C-Foam: A flexible, moldable panel material crafted from coffee parchment and grounds, offering excellent tactile and sound-absorbing qualities.
• Kalpa: A rigid, lightweight, and weather-resistant board material developed for architectural applications and sustainable furniture design.
• MADS: A highly pliable, leather-like material made from M-Tex offcuts, demonstrating a commitment to zero-waste even within their own production processes.
Bell Living Lab provides scalable, cruelty-free materials designed for modern applications across fashion accessories, furniture, and corporate merchandise. Backed by international recognition, including the Good Design Award Japan, the company continues to drive research into other forms of agricultural waste—such as cocoa husks and sorghum—proving that exceptional design and material innovation can be the foundation of a truly sustainable future.