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Art + Design
art + design newsNettle textiles team wins design award De Montfort University’s TEAM research group project, STING (Sustainable Technology in Nettle Growing), has launched STINGplus, their new nettle-based upholstery fabric at the 100% Design exhibition in London. TEAM has worked for four years with Yorkshire upholstery fabrics company, Camira Fabrics Ltd, to develop the nettle-based material. To the delight of TEAM, Camira Fabrics won the 2008 100% Design Award for Sustainable Product Design. The nettle/wool fabric possesses excellent fire retardancy and strength, due to the presence of the nettle fibre. Researchers on the project have been involved in all aspects of nettle growing – from propagation and planting to final product testing. Defra and other partners funded the project, including the Central Science Laboratories, Springdale Crop Synergies Ltd and local nettle farmer Mark Scarratt. Photographed at the 100% Design exhibition: TEAM members Jane Harwood and Matthew Horne, Cheryl Kindness of Camira Fabrics and Ray Harwood, STING project coordinator.
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