Human Material Loop is a material innovation company developing technologies, materials and products from waste keratin protein fiber (hair) to deliver high-performing products to the textile industry with zero negative impact on the environment.

In Europe alone, 72 million kg of human hair waste ends up in landfills or in incinerators, while human hair is the same keratin protein fiber as wool.

Humans have altered 70% of Earth’s land surface causing soil erosion and poor air quality, polluting water, exploiting animals, and poisoning people. While we are destroying our ecosystem our endless waste stream is going no elsewhere other than our backyard.

Change is needed. We are THE CAUSE of the climate crisis and the disruption of the ecosystem, but we can be part of THE SOLUTION. Human Material Loop is an innovation company focusing on the utilization of waste human hair for the development of high-performing products across various industries with the aim of empowering humans to be the solution.

The most common interest in hair is focused on hair growth, hair types, and hair care, but hair is also an important biomaterial primarily composed of protein, notably keratin. With the increase of global energy crisis and ecology risk, the unique advantages of biological fibers such as human hair are not yet implemented in our product cycles. Human hair and its abundance quantity, non-toxic, non-irritation of the skin, high tensile strength, lightweight, thermal insulator, flexibility, and oil-absorbing capability as a material show a great potential integrating it into our production system.

We are on a mission to develop high-performance textiles within a closed-loop recycling system & by using locally sourced materials our aim is to reduce the fossil fuels and associated pollutants including greenhouse gas emissions required for shipping. By supporting local businesses we aim to feed the regional economy. Small-scale local production helps to eliminate the waste of unneeded products made to adhere to overseas minimums, and reduce emissions and energy usage. Local production pushes for accountable ethical production and labor, where the environmental impacts would directly affect the consumers thereby eyes cannot be closed on overseas factory pollutants and working conditions.

The textile industry is the second largest polluter just after the oil industry. It is time we manufacture for the 21st century, lower our carbon emissions, the use chemicals, and decrease the amount of synthetic fibres within the industry.

About the founder and designer

Zsofia Kollar is a designer, researcher, published author, and the founder of Human Material Loop, a material innovation company developing technologies, materials, and products from waste keratin protein fiber (hair) and delivering high-performance products for the textile industry with zero negative impact on the environment.

While running her independent design studio, Zsofia questioned the role of a designer and the responsibility that comes with it. Design isn’t just about making things look appealing, or just about usability, or even just delight. As a designer, Kollar feels responsible to offer a different narrative, challenging perceptions, and altering the norms. She founded Human Material Loop with a mission to show that people are part of the ecosystem and not above it. Delivering a global system where finally we humans, can be the solution to the problems we have created.