Not just a pretty surface
Picture yourself in a doctor’s office waiting for your appointment, studying in a quiet campus library, or checking in at a hotel front desk just as your trip begins. You notice something different: warm, inviting walls with natural grain and texture. What you don’t notice is just as important—how those walls hold up against backpacks, suitcases, foot traffic, and cleaning carts while still looking fresh.
And here’s a hidden detail: those walls are covered in flax, a plant-based material that’s carbon-negative and engineered for healthy interiors with ultra-low VOCs and no off-gassing. That’s ekoa®—a durable, beautiful, bio-based surface helping to redefine what’s possible in commercial interiors, without plastics or petroleum. And it all starts with a remarkable plant.
Flax: ancient roots, new potential
Flax is one of humanity’s oldest cultivated plants. Its Latin name, Linum usitatissimum or “most useful”, says it all—the fibers have been used for 6,000 years for everything from linen to rope, sails, and fine paper. Ancient Egyptians wrapped their mummies in flax linen, and flax processing was big business for the Greeks. Today, most flax is still grown across Europe and North America for textiles and food. Its long fibers are prized for linen, and its seeds are processed into oil and used as a nutritional supplement.
But in architecture and interiors, flax is still an emerging powerhouse—natural, renewable, and just beginning to revolutionize the world of architecture and interior design. That’s where ekoa comes in. We’ve reengineered this time-tested material to create a high-performance wallcovering solution for modern spaces.
Why flax?
Flax checks every box for sustainability. It matures in just 90 days, thrives in cooler climates, and generally requires little irrigation, synthetic fertilizer, or pesticides. Even better, it restores soil health while drawing down more carbon than it emits.
Every part of the plant is useful—but the long, continuous fibers are where the magic happens. For centuries, they’ve been prized for strength and finesse, long before plastics came along. For us, flax wasn’t chosen for nostalgia but for performance and impact: a high-quality, natural material that’s renewably grown as part of a robust global supply chain, making it fully scalable today.
From field to finish
Our commitment to sustainability goes deeper than what ends up in the product—it’s about every step along the way.
- Grown responsibly: Our flax is cultivated in North America and Europe through traditional, renewable practices.
- Naturally processed: After harvest, the plants are retted using natural moisture—no harsh chemicals required.
- Aligned and woven: Fibers are bundled and woven into continuous, unidirectional fabric rather than chopped or pulped, ensuring superior consistency and structural integrity.
The result? A foundation that’s strong, flexible, and visually refined—perfect for transforming into ekoa.
Crafted in California
At our Bay Area facility, we bond flax fabric with a plant-based resin using a proprietary, low-energy process. No formaldehyde. No Red List chemicals. Just clean chemistry and careful engineering.
Each sheet is pressed with precision, color-developed in-house, and finished to bring out rich, sophisticated tones that complement diverse design palettes. The outcome is a surface with the warmth of millwork and the toughness of commercial-grade protection—easy to install, durable, and genuinely sustainable.
Ready for What’s Next
From ancient farmlands to modern interiors, flax is undergoing a renaissance. With ekoa, we’re showing that plant-powered performance is not only possible—it’s here. Beautiful, durable, carbon-negative, petroleum-free, and designed to last, even in the highest-traffic environments.
Curious how ekoa could elevate your next space? Let’s connect and keep pushing materials forward—together.