This independent basic research is one of many internal material explorations we conduct to continuously expand our knowledge

    The once cultivated variety of fibers has fallen into oblivion, but fortunately it is currently being rediscovered. Paper and cardboard are now made almost exclusively from the fibers of trees, but its deforestation has become too extreme and is far from ecological.
In addition to the forgotten fibers, many new ones are being added, especially from the side streams of agriculture. In this short research project, the studio asked itself where unused fibers could still be found. Large quantities of dead seaweed are constantly washed up on the Mediterranean coasts in particular, but also on many others. This hardly used resource was examined in a playful way, revealing just how great its potential could be.

First, we investigated the properties of the material, its natural occurrence and its behavior in common processes. We also tried out possible applications, added additives and applied varying degrees of pressure and heat. We realized that this material has its own unique properties that could be highlighted in more in-depth research. Seaweed is therefore in no way comparable to known fibers that grow on land. It also differs from commonly used algae, e.g. brown algae, and is also unique in its processing. The research process is not yet complete.