QILIN

A fabulous animal composite from Chinese mythology, possessing multiple appearances. It generally resembles a deer and a horse, with a coat, scales, and horns.

Your range of circular bioplastics

The QILIN range offers thermoplastic composite materials as a sustainable alternative to virgin fossil-based plastics. QILIN materials are composed of 50% recycled natural materials and 50% polymer—commonly referred to as « plastic »—which is either bio-sourced or recycled. The reclaimed raw materials come from your unused material stocks. Your by-products, production scraps, quality rejects, and dormant inventories are transformed into bioplastics that can be used in your products. At Authentic Material, recycling is done in a closed loop : the brand is both the supplier of the raw material and the user of the upcycled material. There are multiple sources of natural raw materials:

Animal-based (leather, wool, silk…) from the fashion, leather goods, and saddlery industries
Plant-based (wood, flower, fruit…) from the perfume, beauty, wine, and spirits industries
Mineral-based (porcelain, shell…) provided by the watchmaking, jewelry, and lifestyle sectors
In response to market demands and the anti-waste law for a circular economy, we offer a solution to end-of-life material management and the reduction of plastic use.

Compatible with conventional plastic processing technologies (injection molding, thermoforming, or 3D printing), QILIN is a recycled and recyclable alternative to ABS, TPU, PP, and other widely used plastics in the fashion, luxury, and consumer goods industries. Implemented in its factory in the Toulouse region, Authentic Material offers an industrial-scale recycling opportunity.

Leather recycling, our best-seller

Leather is a complex material due to the numerous treatments it undergoes that affect its chemistry. Here’s why:

As co-products of the agri-food industry, hides come from multiple animal species
There is a wide variety of tanning processes, including chrome-based, vegetable-based, and other synthetic compounds, with each tannery developing its own expertise
Additionally, there are various finishes in terms of colors and textures

Authentic Material has genuine expertise in studying and processing its clients’ leather stocks: all of them can be recycled. To be used as a filler in a plastic, leather must be ground. Our patented grinding technologies produce a high-quality powder with optimal density and homogeneity. This allows the leather filler to represent up to 50% by volume in the bioplastic while ensuring a high-performance material.

Custom manufacturing Made in France

Only two inputs are required to formulate QILIN: the natural material to be recycled, with the remainder being a bio-sourced or recycled polymer, ensuring a significant recycled and natural origin. The range is available in various materials following these steps:

Needs Assessment: Together with the client, we define the material specifications, considering both the desired performance and the shaping processes, as well as CSR policies in terms of LCA (Life Cycle Assessment). Bio-sourced, recycled, mass balance… We assist you in choosing the polymer that meets your technical, aesthetic, and environmental needs.
Material Sourcing: As a circular material, the brand sends its by-products to Authentic Material, where they are inspected and codified to ensure confidentiality and traceability. In parallel, we source the selected polymer.
Grinding: The stock is reduced to a homogeneous powder with a defined and controlled particle size in our factory. The particle sizes are always sub-millimetric. Our technologies are patented, and our machines are custom-designed.
Compounding: This step involves mixing the polymer with the natural material powder in defined proportions. It results in a plastic material in the form of compounds, also known as granules, compatible with conventional plastic processing equipment.
Delivery: QILIN is delivered to your chosen location, always accompanied by technical data sheets to facilitate its integration into your processes.

In 2023, Authentic Material inaugurated its factory near Toulouse to increase its production capacity and ensure Made in France production.

Advantages of QILIN material

Volume Recycling: By incorporating a high content of natural materials, QILIN recycles your stocks in unparalleled quantities and helps reduce your plastic consumption.
High Content of Bio-Sourced and/or Recycled Ingredients: The combination of natural material stock with a recycled and/or bio-sourced polymer ensures a material with a limited environmental impact.
Regulation: The QILIN range offers a solution for end-of-life waste management and supports the transition to sustainable plastics.
Modularity: As a custom solution, QILIN can replace a wide range of plastics (TPU, ABS, …).
Traceability: Our management system ensures the confidentiality and tracking of your materials from their reception to their transformation and delivery.
Durability & Circularity: Recycled and recyclable, QILIN is designed to last.
Compatibility: Delivered in the form of granules, QILIN can be processed using the plastic technologies your partners are equipped with (coating, injection molding, thermoforming, calendering, 3D printing), making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

QILIN material applications

Components
Accessories
Packaging
Furniture & retail
3D printing