Merging Design and Natural Science Together
It’s safe to say that none of us think of plastic as something beautiful. It has become the poster child of pollution, populating oceans in vast numbers, harming wildlife, and even making its way into our food.
While the use of eco-plastics has been gaining momentum, most of these materials are created for single-use purposes. Kubušová and Miroslav Král of crafting plastics! studio envision a different future for plastic: one where it is not only earth-safe, but multi-functional, durable and even beautiful.
“We wanted to think differently about a new generation of materials,” Kubušová notes. Function over beauty has been the dominant rule in this realm, but crafting plastics! intends to change that, and soon. “Our aim is to integrate sustainable and responsible materials in the products now and not in 10 years.”
Coming from the worlds of fashion, production and product design, the duo worked alongside scientists at the Slovak University of Technology to create a new generation of eco-plastic. Nuatan is a bioplastic solution that is manufactured with a blend of PLA and PHB derived from cornstarch. It is durable, biodegradable and made of 100% renewable raw resources.
Used to create an eyewear line in 2016, Nuatan comes in a variety of textures and colors, including natural pigments derived from turmeric, indigo and coffee waste. The second edition of the line was produced using 3D printing technology. “We’re exploring a new bioplastic material for 3D printing. This is one big processing group we’d like to go to,” says Kubušová. In a field where so much plastic is wasted producing prototypes, an eco-friendly material seems like the most “natural” next step in 3D printing.
Kubušová sees the potential uses of their bioplastic creations on a much wider scale. “The best case would be within fashion or design, but it could also do very well in the toy industry, where the materials need to be more sensitive in terms of chemicals. It could include small pieces of furniture and much more.”
“We want to be sure about the whole life cycle of products”
Nuatan’s current endeavor is to collaborate with a bank to create eco-safe credit cards. The project has the potential to make a massive global impact, as it is projected that upwards of 1.2 billion plastic credit cards will circulate the globe by 2022. Says Kubušová, “Hopefully it will be applied in other banks across the country or the world.”
“We hope to inspire other designers and young graduates”
crafting plastics! studio represents the future of eco-safe design, creating a niche where sustainability and aesthetics converge. Transcending the necessity of sustainability, the studio has made beautiful bioplastics that have boundless potential. We hope to join the crafting plastics! revolution and hope you will too.
