This Underrated Sound-Absorbing Material uses Hundreds of Recycled Tennis Balls

Think sound absorption/dampening and you automatically think of materials like foam, cardboard, cloth, egg-holder trays. A designer is encouraging us to think outside the box – or rather, outside the ball. Designed by Mathilde Wittock of MWO Design, Soundbounce takes discarded tennis balls and transforms them into a material that’s not just sustainable but visually and texturally delightful. It’s sustainability turned into functional art—making you rethink how something as humble as a tennis ball can turn into the ultimate sound-absorbing material.

Soundbounce begins with used tennis balls, remnants of matches and memories, once destined for the landfill. The world produces 330 million tennis balls each year – once they serve their purpose, the balls are discarded, taking over 400 years to decompose. Instead of becoming planet Earth’s problem, Wittock reimagines these balls into a material that retains their essence—soft yet durable, lightweight yet strong. You can almost sense the energy of their previous life in the surface of this material, now transformed into something tactile and inviting.

Designer: Mathilde Wittock

The texture of Soundbounce is immediately captivating. Soft and slightly springy, it’s reminiscent of the original ball yet feels entirely new. This is the kind of surface that invites interaction—it’s warm to the touch, with a playfulness that balances its eco-conscious origins. Its imperfections aren’t flaws; they’re subtle reminders of the material’s journey, adding depth and intrigue to its appearance. Moreover, rather than being just visual, this decorative material is textural and tactile too, involving more senses in the user experience. Heck, it might just smell like a fresh tennis ball too!

Visually, the material has a velvety quality that feels unexpected for something made from recycled rubber. Its aesthetic is versatile, making it a compelling choice for a variety of applications. Picture it as upholstery on modern furniture, lending softness and personality to a space. Or imagine it as part of a design accent—perhaps an acoustic panel, a room divider, or even a pet bed. The tactile and visual appeal makes Soundbounce both approachable and elegant, capable of elevating any setting it’s introduced into.

Sustainability in design often comes with compromises. The raw, industrial look of recycled materials can sometimes overshadow their function, leaving them appreciated more for their message than their form. Soundbounce avoids that pitfall, showing that recycled materials can be both thoughtfully sustainable and visually refined. Its texture and color feel purposeful, celebrating its origins without overwhelming the final design. The balls also come in a variety of natural colors, with designer Mathilde Wittock also customizing the balls with RAL colors upon request – making it perfect for billboards, corporate installations, or other large-scale branding projects.

Its playful roots add another layer of charm. There’s something undeniably cheerful about its tennis ball heritage—a connection to sport, movement, and energy that carries over into the material. That lighthearted quality makes Soundbounce adaptable. Whether in a sleek interior, a casual workspace, or a child’s playroom, it has a way of blending in while adding its own story to the mix. Besides, the name Soundbounce perfectly captures the material’s history (bouncy tennis balls) but simultaneously feels like a playful taunt given that this new material doesn’t bounce sound – in fact, it absorbs it!

Pet owners, in particular, might find Soundbounce especially charming. Its soft, textured surface feels fantastic to the touch—perfect for a pet bed or a chew-resistant toy. After all, what better way to give your furry friend a slice of luxury while being kind to the planet? It’s as if Soundbounce is naturally tailored for the kind of practical, playful designs pets (and their humans) adore.

Soundbounce is a versatile material that lends itself to a range of applications, from furniture and interior design to fashion accessories and pet products. Its soft, tactile surface makes it ideal for upholstery, adding both comfort and visual appeal to chairs, cushions, and benches. Designers can also use it for accent pieces like lampshades or wall panels, where its textured finish becomes a focal point. Beyond aesthetics, Soundbounce delivers a significant sustainable impact. Each square meter incorporates approximately 283 upcycled tennis balls, preventing them from entering landfills and repurposing the equivalent of 8.5 kg of CO2. By transforming waste into a functional, beautiful material, Soundbounce champions a circular approach to design, reducing environmental harm while creating meaningful products.

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