Issue 44

Horizon Thailand talks to Supattharachai Chuetamasorn, a designer at the Design from Waste of Agriculture (DEWA) about the eco-friendly project initiated by the DITP’s Thailand Institute of Design and Innovation Promotion

Can you tell us how you came to work with the DITP?
Anon Pairot, the design director, and Wataru Sakuma, the artist designer for this project got the idea to start designing recycled products from agricultural waste. In the past, many companies have developed interesting products through recycling and they saw the potential for Thai companies to do the same. We researched the problems regarding design and recycling techniques. The DITP then selected companies who were ready to participate in the project.

What are the unique products from the different regions in Thailand?
We try to engage companies in four regions. In the north the most common product is mulberry paper, for the central region it is cassava flour used to make packaging, in the south there is an abundance of raw rubber, and in the northeast we are trying to develop durian fibre. I think the most interesting one is durian fibre; it’s still in development, but if it’s successful it would be the first of its kind. Durian husk is very expensive to get rid of and it can be transformed into cellulose fibre, which is a material used in bioplastic films and biodegradable packaging materials. This can reduce waste and increase household income for farmers too.

What is the strength of Thai companies producing recycled products?
Thai workers have very good skills, they can make high quality raw materials which are ready for export, such as mulberry paper. We try to develop the raw material and recycling process. The designers look to see if the companies have any problems in production or design, and we try to bring out the uniqueness of their products. DEWA acts as the middleman for buyers who are interested in the finished product.

What is the feedback from buyers?
We’ve received a lot of interest from overseas buyers. They’re interested in everything from packaging materials to paper cups. It’s also up to the companies whether they want to start their own brands or work with other brands. Now, coconut water boxes made from cassava flour is already exported to the US.

What is the future of this project?
The project is still ongoing with different companies producing various products. We want to create commercial goods that embrace the idea of waste management to increase its value in the market while reducing the impact on the environment.