Here’s a second batch of finds and innovations from the Surface Design Show 2026

Because there was so much interesting stuff at the show it felt only right to bring together another selection of innovative materials and processes…

OTTAN x ARCELİK(1)

Ottan makes surface materials with a range of natural waste products from nutshells to eggshells, theirs are one of the product ranges stocked by MTRL Library

Sustainable surfaces hub

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Kava is a surface material made from coffee grounds

MTRL Library is a new one-stop-shop for sustainable surface materials, that was launched at the show. It offers a curated collection of recycled surface materials, and, by buying in bulk, lets designers work around manufacturers’ minimum order requirements.

Products stocked by MTRL Library include:

  • Ottan’s brightly coloured surfaces made using eggshells, and natural toned versions made with nut shells
  • Smile Materials funky recycled plastics
  • Kava surface made of coffee grounds
  • Sustainable Ply, a lighter alternative to ply and MDF, with a core made from recycled card
  • Organoids, beautiful surface materials crafted from natural, renewable resources such as hay, flowers, leaves, bark and moss, that combine tactility, natural fragrance and visual depth.

More info @mtrl.library

 

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Organoids makes beautiful surface materials from plants

 

Surface qualities

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Metallic surface from Dekodur

James Latham had a huge range of surface materials on display. My eye was caught, magpie like, by the metallics, including the Dekodur range of real metal laminates from Germany. This is available in various finishes from copper to brass, brushed aluminium to stainless steel, hammered, mirror, chequerboard, swirls and geometric patterns, and is suitable for use as full panels for decorative wall cladding or for smaller details.

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Surface texture: Cleaf range

The Lathams team was also keen to showcase the Cleaf range of decorative panels. Designed and manufactured in Milan, these offer an exceptional depth of texture in their woodgrains and other material reproductions such as concrete, marble, leather and linen. Both ranges are available exclusively from Lathams.

More info @lathamsltd

Vertical printing

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The printer that prints direct onto walls

WallFX was there to promote its vertical printing service, which is claimed to be able to print direct onto almost any vertical surface, from concrete to glass. The inks are solvent-free and the process avoids the need for vinyl or wallpaper – you just print direct onto the wall.

More info @wallfx.uk

Tactile printing

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Tactile printing can recreate deep textures like tiles

Another print innovation on show was the high-build inks used in the 3D printing technology of Tactile by P&D. These enable the highly textured, tactile printing of 3D surfaces. You can bespoke print anything from “bricks” to “tiles”, textured feature panels and custom finishes that resembl any texture from woodgrain to fabric.

More info @printdisplayuk

Mama’s Bricks

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Glazed tiles with a cool retro feel

Mama’s Bricks are handmade glazed and terracotta bricks and tiles designed for architectural use, which have a very cool retro feel.

More info @vsldesignstudio

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Handmade terracotta bricks by Mama’s Bricks

 

 

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