About Bast Bio-Skin:

A collaboration between Canussa and CQ Studio supported by the EU Commission Worth Project.

Many qualities make flax an attractive source to be used for textiles. It does not need irrigation systems for growth and it can thrive simply on rainwater. Due to the natural antibacterial properties of the plant, Almost no pesticides are needed for the crop to grow. The fibres have high tensile strength and are extremely durable. Flax was a once-thriving industry in the UK and Ireland but has almost completely disappeared. Currently, flax accounts for only 1% of the global fibre market share.

Bast plants play a significant role in the regenerative agriculture movement by encouraging biodiversity, restoring soil health, and improving future crop yields, this in turn supports the reduction of carbon emissions on our environment. Bast fibres are extremely strong, and durable and currently used in heavy-duty fabrics and ropes. Other key benefits of bast include excellent insulation, low cost, different finenesses possible, varying aspect ratios, and lightweight for reduction of carbon impacts during transportation.

Each step of producing our skins has sustainability embedded including water reduction from growing the fibres, waste utilisation in recipes, non-toxic ingredients, naturally-derived pigments, and no plastic or PU coatings which enable biodegrading compatibility. 

The technical finishes will enable an end product with properties including waterproofing, durability as well as aesthetics.