How three companies are solving problems using biomimicry
In the search for sustainable solutions to today’s pressing environmental challenges, many industries are turning to an unlikely but time-tested source of innovation: nature. This approach, known as biomimicry, involves studying and imitating natural processes, structures, and systems to develop products and technologies that are efficient, resilient, and environmentally friendly. As the need for sustainable design becomes more urgent, biomimicry is gaining traction across sectors, from packaging and textiles to water treatment and architecture.
At its core, biomimicry is about learning from nature’s 3.8 billion years of research and development. Whether it’s a bird’s wing, a leaf’s surface, or an entire ecosystem, natural systems have evolved to solve complex problems efficiently and sustainably. Biomimicry applies this wisdom to human challenges by mimicking nature’s forms (like the aerodynamic shape of a kingfisher’s beak), processes (such as photosynthesis), and systems (like nutrient cycles in a forest).
The benefits of this approach are significant. Designs inspired by nature often use fewer materials, consume less energy, and generate less waste. Biomimicry promotes long-term resilience, offering solutions that are not only innovative but also regenerative and deeply connected to the ecosystems in which they operate. As industries seek ways to reduce their environmental impact, the lessons drawn from the natural world prove practical and inspiring.
One standout example of biomimicry in action is Notpla, a London-based company working to eliminate single-use plastic. Their flagship product, Ooho, is biodegradable and edible packaging made from seaweed and plants. It was inspired by the way fruit peels protect and contain liquids—flexible, biodegradable, and safe for consumption.
Ooho can hold water, juices, or sauces and naturally decomposes in weeks if not consumed. Notpla’s materials break down without releasing harmful microplastics, making them a promising alternative to traditional plastic packaging. The company’s innovation has already been used at sporting events and festivals and by major food delivery services. Notpla’s broader mission—to replace plastic with seaweed-based materials—illustrates how simple natural concepts can spark game-changing solutions.
In the flooring industry, Interface is leading the way with biomimicry-driven design. The global carpet manufacturer has embraced sustainability for decades, but nature reshaped its approach to production. Inspired by forest floors, Interface began designing carpet tiles with varied patterns and textures, mimicking the randomness of natural environments.
This design strategy, Entropy, reduces waste because tiles can be installed in any orientation, minimizing manufacturing errors and installation leftovers. Interface has also committed to achieving a negative carbon footprint across its product lines, adopting regenerative practices and using recycled and bio-based materials. By thinking like a forest, the company is advancing toward a truly circular economy.
PAX Water Technologies, based in California, demonstrates how biomimicry can improve even the most technical infrastructure—like municipal water systems. Their engineers were inspired by the natural motion of water in lakes and oceans, where vortexes efficiently circulate nutrients and oxygen. They applied this principle to develop energy-efficient water mixers for storage tanks.
These vortex-inspired devices help maintain water quality by preventing stagnation and reducing the need for chemical treatments. The mixers consume significantly less energy than traditional systems, lowering both operational costs and environmental impact. PAX has found a cleaner, more sustainable method of managing a vital resource by emulating the dynamic motion of natural water systems.
Biomimicry is proving to be more than a design trend; it is a transformative approach to innovation that aligns human activity with natural principles. From edible packaging and sustainable carpets to water systems that work like rivers, industries show how looking to nature can help solve our most urgent problems. By learning from the systems that have sustained life for millennia, we can build technologies and economies that support both people and the planet.
