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SUBSTANCE · May 20 · 27 min

Fiber

In this episode of SUBSTANCE, host Joe Hanson explores the unique capabilities of fibers like hemp or coconut and where they can be used sustainably: From the automotive industry to coastal protection. BASF expert Shengzhong Zhou, PhD, explains how a BASF binder turns natural fibers in a surprisingly stable and very lightweight material and how this can change automotive industry. He also presents the "Future Chair," co‑developed with BASF from bamboo fibers, which was awarded for sustainable design and material innovation in 2025. Julie Schumacher and Zack Royle from the nonprofit American Littoral Society also turn to fibers for a global ecological challenge: to stop erosion on the New Jersey coast, they developed a method to restore the beach and rebuild the marsh – using coconut fibers that would otherwise end up as waste. More info about this episode: www.basf.com/substance-podcast More about American Littoral Society: https://www.littoralsociety.org/ SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF; produced by TERRITORY Agency in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Dolye, Stefan Rommel and Joe Hanson.

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In this episode of SUBSTANCE, host Joe Hanson explores the unique capabilities of fibers like hemp or coconut and where they can be used sustainably: From the automotive industry to coastal protection.

BASF expert Shengzhong Zhou, PhD, explains how a BASF binder turns natural fibers in a surprisingly stable and very lightweight material and how this can change automotive industry. He also presents the "Future Chair," co‑developed with BASF from bamboo fibers, which was awarded for sustainable design and material innovation in 2025.

Julie Schumacher and Zack Royle from the nonprofit American Littoral Society also turn to fibers for a global ecological challenge: to stop erosion on the New Jersey coast, they developed a method to restore the beach and rebuild the marsh – using coconut fibers that would otherwise end up as waste.

More info about this episode: www.basf.com/substance-podcast More about American Littoral Society: https://www.littoralsociety.org/

SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF; produced by TERRITORY Agency in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Dolye, Stefan Rommel and Joe Hanson.

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