SHELL HOMAGE is a global award-winning sustainable brand specialized in bio-composite materials made from eggshells and various nut shells, in addition of transforming all kinds of food and agricultural waste into bio-composite materials for diverse applications and industries, while excelling in surface design, form, and function, founded by multidisciplinary Egyptian designer Rania Elkalla. This biodegradable material is a replacement for oil-based plastics and can be applied in several areas such as interior design, lighting design, furniture design, home accessories, consumable goods, 3D printing, fashion, and jewelry design.

The colors used come from different food and agricultural waste sources, including fruit and vegetable peels, herbs, and plants. SHELL stands for the diverse shells that we use, while HOMAGE represents honor and respect for their journey.

What sets SHELL HOMAGE apart is its use of food & agricultural waste. The food industry generates a significant amount of waste on a daily basis; around 30% of food is lost or wasted. We aim to contribute to waste reduction by innovating with SHELL HOMAGE materials that can be applied across various industries and scaled up. Our materials are relatively lightweight compared to marble or natural stones, and they possess non-repetitive, one-of-a-kind patterns and structures. Carefully designed, the materials position SHELL HOMAGE as an agent for change.

Through fabrication, design, creation, reform, reuse, and redefinition, food waste is given an entirely new purpose.

We perceive “waste” as one material being transformed into another. We see value in everything, and we aim to help others see that too. 

Shell Homage exists at the intersection of material science, innovation, technology, craft, art, and design.

Shell Homage has been recognized with over 50 international awards and publications, including features by Reuters, Al Jazeera, TEDx, Vogue, Dezeen, ELLE Decor, Architonic, AD Middle East, CNBC and has been exhibited at Milan Design Week, London Design Festival, Dutch Design Week, and COP27/28. Our material samples are part of the material libraries at RISD, Harvard University, the Future Materials Bank and much more.