Spanish materials company Feltwood has developed a pendant luminaire made from discarded fruit and vegetable fibres, demonstrating a potential new application for agricultural waste in lighting manufacture.
The pendant forms part of GIRARA, a collection of interior design objects developed by Feltwood in collaboration with Spanish ecodesign marketplace Ekohunters. The collection, the company’s first venture into interior products, also includes two decorative centrepieces, one circular and one rectangular.
Feltwood’s material is manufactured in Zaragoza, Spain, using fibres recovered from fruit and vegetable waste generated by the agri-food industry. Its patented technology transforms the discarded plant material into a lightweight, resistant and mouldable substance that can be shaped into different products.
According to the company, the manufacturing process requires no additional adhesives, resins or chemical binders. The resulting material retains the visible texture of the plant fibres, giving the pendant an organic surface appearance that resembles wood or paper.
Designed by Feltwood founder Arancha Yañez, the pendant has an organically shaped shade which uses the material’s natural texture as a feature of the design. The company says it produces warm, diffused illumination and can be installed individually or in groups at different heights.
Feltwood says its material can be recycled or composted at the end of its useful life, although the actual recovery route will depend on the product’s construction and the facilities available. The company describes its technology as an alternative to conventional plastics and other materials traditionally used in consumer products.
The collaboration began after Ekohunters identified the potential of Feltwood’s material and proposed developing a collection to demonstrate its applications in interior design. GIRARA is available internationally and exclusively through the marketplace, with further designs planned.
Feltwood says its technology has potential applications beyond lighting and decorative products, including furniture and other products traditionally manufactured from wood or plastic.
The development adds to growing interest in using agricultural and other biological waste streams as feedstock for manufactured products, rather than relying exclusively on virgin raw materials. For lighting manufacturers, the challenge will be to establish how such materials perform in long-term use and whether they can be recovered effectively alongside the electrical components at end of life.
• Diary date: Circular Lighting Live 2027 takes place on Thursday 7 October 2027 in the City of London. It’s Recolight’s flagship event, comprising a two-track conference, exhibition and awards celebrating innovations in sustainable lighting.
