MIRUM®
id card
Natural rubber (primarily) + minerals + vegetable oils + fillers (eg. cork, rice husks) + natural pigments
composition
Cellulose, Terpene, Hevein
building blocks
Organic
material origin
Sandwich sheet
shape
8 – system complete and qualified
TRL
A bioneutral, nature birthed, truly shape-shifting matter.
This one happens to be a plastic-free plant alternative to leather.
Natural rubber & minerals, structural colorant, agro-waste fibers, fillers like coconut & rice hulls and plant oils allow MIRUM® to connect and be molded into shape without any forced processes - and waste-water!, but to rather simply utilize the quantity already present through the natural ingredients themselves, ditching glue and other similar adhesives altogether.
Crafted using green chemistry, the technology behind MIRUM® grants it the opportunity to break down into its natural elements at end-of-life and become a nutrient of our invaluable ecosystem, returning to Earth's warm embrace once anew.
Properties
Performance without petrochemicals.
No synthetic fibres.
No Plastics / PFAS / Phthalates / Heavy Metals.
Durable and waterproof.
Smells lovely (thanks to natural rubber).
The following might interest you designers:
"The Primary Collection comes in four plant personalities — corn, rice, coconut, and cork. These SKUs of MIRUM® showcase natural variety of plant input color and texture variation.
The Signature Collection offers more customization options than Primary MIRUM® with regard to color, shine, texture, grain, scent, temper, thickness, and fabric backers.
Available fabric backers: White/Black Cotton Interlock, White/Black Cotton Canvas - organic cotton & other natural backers available upon request."
Cyclability
Naturally circular.
100% Recyclable.
100% Returnable to Earth. Though, they don't look to target the rapid timeframe of biodegradability - but rather aim to put their focus on the lone durability of the product.
APPLICATIONS
Well, fashion, of course. The range is following - accessories, footwear, apparel & clothing details, etc.
Not to omit automotive and furniture applications, such as upholstery - you can really get creative.
FOOTWEAR APPLICATIONS
Upper
Production process
The abovementioned base ingredients are first mixed & shaped into sheets, forming a unique combination of characteristics and aesthetics. After the mechanical processing, curing & finishing touches like patterns and fabric backers come into play, applying and adding texture to the material. The texture is imparted in a single step, during the heating and pressing stage of the process where the material connects with the backing through a fully natural way - without the need for any adhesives at all.
"MIRUM is a designer's dream." Just like that.
Manufacturing facts
Scalable and affordable to mass produce. They use very accessible ingredients (like rubber & plant oil), considerably increasing their product's availability - as recognized by even one of Allbirds representatives - a brand they continuously collaborate with.
production time
MIRUM is made in the USA at their facility in Peoria, Illinois - a facility which utilizes renewable wind energy!
the factory
Behind the screen
Luke Haverhals & Steve Zika
founders
2015
Illinois
time & place
Ralph Lauren, Porsche, Woolly, H&M, Bellroy, Richemont, Felder Felder, Camper, Pangaia, Vivobarefoot
partnerships
CERTIFICATIONS
USDA 100% Biobased Certification