Creating Plastic-Free Designs Is Possible

Are you a floral designer keen on sustainability in your floral designs and creations? Could you, possibly, be looking for an eco-friendly floral foam alternative but have not found the perfect, yet sustainable match? Well, Agra Wool's Sideau® block could be quite the option you're looking for. This floral block will 100% cut out the use of plastic in flower designs.

Developed in 2018, this is a product that has the same characteristics as the traditional floral foam in terms of use, but in contrast to the usual floral foam, that is made from oil derivatives and phenol resin – which is plastic – Sideau® is fully biodegradable, therefore, perfectly suited for florists and flower arrangers who want to use a fully environmentally-friendly base for their creations.

So, here's why many florists would rather use it instead of plastic in their creations.

Principal Components That Make Sideau® an Optimal Floral Foam Alternative

First and most importantly, if you haven't heard about Sideau® yet, here's a brief introduction about the product and why it has changed the lives and creations of many floral designers around the world.

Sideau® is made of Earthwool®, a natural product made from basalt, a volcanic igneous rock. In addition, this Sideau® block is made with Ecose®, a natural binder, free from acetylates and formaldehyde. Thus, natural and vegetable raw materials like sugar beet or cane sugar replace petrochemical raw materials in the composition of the binder. The substance turns brown as a result of caramelization after heating. 70% less energy is needed to produce Earthwool® than to produce the more common yellow rockwool.

Also, Sideau® has a noticeable softening effect while remaining quite dense and is odorless and colorless in the water. As a result, it is safe for both people and the environment. This is among the main reasons why floral designers love it and do not use plastic floral foam. These qualities make this product much more enjoyable to use. 'The More Sustainable, the Better — Meet Agra-Wool's Biodegradable Floral Foam 'Sideau®' article can help you understand more of what Sideau® is all about.

Sideau® - Why Is It Better Than Plastic Options?

Sideau® is made up of 97% basalt (a volcanic rock) and 3% bio-based binder (sucrose). Once the basalt has melted from being heated to a very high temperature, it is spun into fibers. Several layers are stacked one on top of the other and then pushed together to achieve the desired density for each product. This also explains why the top is ribbed. It is then packaged and cut into various product shapes. Definitely, a great alternative if you want to work in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

When using it, Sideau® is very easy to cut into any shape with a rock wool knife or even a bread knife. Almost nothing crumbles or breaks off the Sideau® blocks when cut. It holds the flower stalk firmly in the block and one can also put the flower stem in again. If there are any leftover pieces after cutting this product to the right size — or if you just remove the flowers after use — you can cut the blocks or pieces into small flakes and then use them as a substitute (substrate) of soil in your flowerpot or planter.

Why Are Designers Doing Away With Plastic and Using Floral Foam Alternatives?

Sideau® blocks, for instance, do not use petrochemical (plastic) materials for their manufacture, and the products are therefore not harmful when it comes to sustainability. The floral designers, basically, want to have the name 'free of foam'. Read the article 'This Is What Floral Icon Kirsten VanDijk Says About the Plastic Free Floral Block by Sideau®' to know how Sideau has helped floral designers create without plastic.

Sideau® is now the new name for the material in any form and one of the most returned-to products by floral designers because it allows them to cut plastic hugely for their flower designs while caring for the environment in a great manner. Given that Sideau® products are completely natural, they are not harmful to the environment.

Is Sideau a Fully Degradable Option?

• Of Sideau® only basalt flour remains over time and circumstances and that is a 100% natural product.
• Basalt flour is used for improving clay soil and contains silicon, trace elements, and minerals. This not only makes heavy clay soil easier to work with but plants also flourish on it because the cell wall is strengthened, it stimulates growth, and bulb plants are allowed to root deeper.
• Another advantage of using basalt flour is that nitrogen is captured. Many growers use this natural product to strengthen the natural resistance of the crop. It keeps pests and diseases at a distance.
• Basalt flour is easy to spread over a crop. It is advisable to spray with water so that the basalt flour is thoroughly mixed with the clay soil.
• Depending on national regulations, Sideau® may simply be disposed of with organic waste.

Sideau® Is the Perfect Alternative to Regular Floral Foam

In contrast to floral foam that is made from oil derivatives and phenol resin – which is plastic – Sideau® is fully biodegradable. Therefore it's perfectly suited for florists and flower arrangers who want to use a fully environmentally friendly and plastic-free base for their floral creations. How about designing in a sustainable way with Sideau®?

Do you want to give Sideau® a shot and see the wonders it can do for your floral arrangements? Getting informed about their products is the first step to going plastic-free for your upcoming designs!

Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are by Agra-Wool (@sideau_agrawool).