Throughout the Netherlands, the soft rush plant is invasive enough that thousands of pounds are pulled from ditches, wetlands and marshes every year and turned into biogas. Although it is also used to improve overly sandy soil, soft rush is widely recognised as an unwanted weed.

With sustainability in mind, Kwaning uses both the pith and the fibres of the plant to create paper, corrugated cardboard, a foam-like substance and a pressed fibre used to make furniture.

As a Design Academy Eindhoven graduate, Kwaning saw the plant in its whole form processed into Japanese tatami mats. He took the design a step further with the realisation that separating the pith from the fibres opened up entirely new applications.

In the packaging realm, the soft rush pith is turned into a light, foam-like material that offers excellent protection both in block form and as long noodles. The natural components of the pith allow the substance to be pressed into a material similar to the widely-produced MDF, without requiring any sort of binding agent. This offers versatility through a range of density options so Kwaning has used it to make both packing and storage boxes.

The fibres are equally useful as a building material for another type of packing box and Kwaning asserts it can be made into rope and textiles. The boxes made from the fibres can be dual purposed into a side table by stacking them together.

Through a focus on eco-friendly materials, Kwaning has not only created useful sustainable products from a pesky weed but opened the door for an entirely new material option for a range of manufacturing markets.

Via Inhabitat | Images by Don Kwaning