White Beetle: Eco-Friendly White Pigments — Impossible Materials

Biological model: White beetles (Cyphochilus species)

Company: Impossible Materials

Development of eco-friendly white cellulose pigments inspired by the structural color of white beetles.

The challenge

Titanium dioxide whitening pigments are toxic and problematic for environment and human health; alternative eco-friendly white pigments needed.

Nature's strategy

White beetle cuticle structure with organized chitin nanofibers.

What was emulated

Hierarchical fiber arrangement for structural color without chemical pigments.

The innovation

Bio-inspired white pigments using cellulose nanofiber structures for light scattering.

Full case study

White beetles achieve their brilliant white coloration through structural organization of chitin nanofibers rather than pigmentation. Impossible Materials applied this principle to develop white cellulose-based pigments that replace toxic titanium dioxide. The pigments use hierarchical fiber structures to achieve whiteness through light scattering.