As part of my academic experience with the MA in Regenerative Design at Central Saint Martins, I had an opportunity to participate in a short research collaboration with Hiblatech. Our goal was to expand regenerative fibre inquiry and modes of application. 

Hiblatech is a B2B fiber-to-textile company based in the Philippines. The partnership was negotiated and led by our course leader, Judith van den Boom. Hiblatech hoped to work with local pineapple farmers to find innovative and alternative sources for the fiber created from leaf waste after harvesting. How could we increase awareness in textile-heavy industries, as well as in mainstream communities?

A small cohort of us conducted individual research and systems mapping, working toward modes of change both active-real and imaginary, or speculative. We looked at the raw / intermediate material – i.e., woven textiles, nonwovens, felt, yarns, staple fibers, etc., used in various possible products and imagined how such usage might reduce the negative environmental impact of current production and end-of-life processes. Upstream considerations were also addressed, i.e., how this work might result in socio-economic benefits accruing to the farmers and their communities and also how we might mitigate unwanted ecological impacts on the land and the more-than-human.

I’ve linked to the project website on the CSM platform. Please reach out if you’d like to learn more or talk about a deep dive into your regenerative project-process-challenge.