What Matter_s 2.0 2020
Materials made from waste water-sludge.
Photos by David Stjernholm.
Bioplastics are usually produced from biomass, most often from an agricultural source grown solely for that purpose, like corn or sugar cane. This is expensive and wastes resources and land. The idea of this project is to use wastewater sludge from food industries as a source for extracting biopolymers.
In short: the bacteria in the sludge are fed to create polymer granules in their cells. The polymers are then extracted with a cocktail of other bacteria and enzymes. The idea is to add the plastic production as a last step in wastewater facilities.
Small planting pots.
Trellis system.
The sludge-plastic collection.
The results from What Matter_s 2.0. Lab la bla + Ballingslöv. Louise Hederström + Finja Prefab. Kajsa Willner + Stora Enso. M&E + Movomech. Carl-Ludvig Svensson + Vida. Henriksson & Lindgren + Kiviks Musteri.
The type of polymer produced from Kivik’s biosludge is called PHBV and is totally biodegradable. Unlike other bioplastics it breaks down even in cold temperatures in the ocean, and does not turn into microplastics in the process.
The pot at the "Metabolic Processes for Leftovers" exhibition.
Form studies.
Experiments with crushed apple residue from Kivik's cider press.
What Matter_s 2.0.
Was an initiative by Form/ Designcenter in Malmö.
Six designers and six manufacturers were paired to develop new sustainable materials based on the manufacturers' residue, thus creating new ways of thinking, developing and commercializing together.
Henriksson & Lindgren + Kiviks Musteri = Sludge Bioplastics.
This concept transforms wastewater sludge from the cider factory Kiviks Musteri into bioplastics. It was developed by Ebba Lindgren and Stina Henriksson.
Metabolic Processes for Leftovers.
The results was shown at the “Metabolic Processes for Leftovers” exhibition at Form/ Designcenter.
Curated by Copenhagen-based Kiosk Studio.
Beyond Plastics 2021 & Guiltless Plastics 2021 .
The project was nominated to two awards: “Beyond Plastics” and Rosanna Orlandi’s “Guiltless Plastics Award”, and was exhibited at The Leonardo Da Vinci Museum of Technology during Milan Design Week.
From sludge to plastics.
Each year Kiviks Musteri produces over 780 tonnes of sludge in the factory’s own wastewater facility. The disposal of the sludge is a cost for the company and there is currently no way to make good use of it.
The idea is to use the sludge as a source for extracting biopolymers. We worked with two local biotechnical companies that are experts on biological wastewater treatment and organic bioplastic production. (Promiko and Bioextrax)
The polymer type is called PHBV and is unlike most bioplastics completely biodegradable. With Kivik’s apple orchards in mind, we have designed a collection of objects for cultivation, like pots and plant clips. The products are designed to be treasured and used over and over, but if they break or disappear outdoors, there is no harm done.
Our closed-loop system starts as a fruit on the orchards, passes through the stages of juice, sludge, bioplastics and lastly soil — apples to apples. / Ebba & Stina
Find our project 14 minutes in.