Shell Homage

SHELL HOMAGE - Experiments with unusual materials

Shell Homage studio initiated by the product designer Rania Elkalla produce a new material which is 100 % natural biodegradable plastic based on Egg, Nut and cacao shells, colored using natural pigments. The shells are bonded with organic and biodegradable substances, which enable to create a mixture, which can be handled through different production techniques as extrusion, pressing and injection molding. It is similar to stone or ceramic, can be drilled or sanded or laser cut. The more we knew the material and work with it, the more we discover from it’s capabilities, capacity, the way to form it and various ways to process it and deal with it and it gets more familiar. There is more to egg and nutshells than meets the eye. Egg or nutshells are underrated because they are always perceived as foodstuff but you actually make a lot more from them. They are a wonderful natural resource. All the products that have a life span and are completely biodegradable without toxic chemicals, which will allow having viable products, which decay if you dip into your garden if you do not need it anymore. It’s the ultimate solution for getting rid of things instead of storing them for years and getting ride of plastics, which never decays. These objects and materials developed have the aspiration to educate and enlighten the users about things which we consider as waster. This material can be used as tiles for floors or cladding or sold in sheets. Various products are produced by this material as light units, table tops, office set, plant pots, wall clocks and hangers.