Burberry Material Future Research Group (BMFRG)
Date: 2018 - 2020
Location: London UK
Service: Material Innovation
Project Team: Dr. Charlene Smith + Material Science Research Centre, Royal College of Art (RCA)
Client: Burberry
Images: RCA
One of the first fashion-industry–funded research groups in a major design school—BMFRG aimed to connect material science with design practice, helping translate lab breakthroughs into usable textiles, packaging, and product systems.
The Burberry Material Futures Research Group (BMFRG) at the Royal College of Art, funded by the Burberry Foundation, aimed to inspire creativity and pioneer more sustainable materials and techniques within the UK’s creative industries. Its work focused on researching the future of sustainable materials and consumer experience.
By taking a systems approach to materials research, the group proposed new realities that reconnected the use of material resources with human wellbeing and economic development. In doing so, it aimed to help society transition to a more sustainable existence.
This systems approach integrated three main themes: sustainable future materials, sustainable future manufacturing, and sustainable future consumer experience. From a green chemistry focus the BMFRG collaborated with the University of York’s Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) to extract biopolymers from food-industry by-products—specifically cellulose and protein feedstocks.These were explored for feasibility in producing fibres and flexible materials suitable for textile applications.
