Ms Amelie Pörschmann, a student at the University of Applied Sciences Hof, Germany has won the 2023 DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Research Award for the development of The Regrow. Ms Pörschmann has developed a biodegradable, woven fabric pot in which plants can be started. Once seedlings reach a stage suitable for transfer to soil, they can be planted intact within their biodegradable pots and do not need to be removed from plastic planting trays, which are currently in common use.
The Regrow pot is made of bast fibers such as hemp, flax or nettle or can also be made from wool. The fibres have not been dyed or finished with synthetic materials, thus avoiding pollution in the composting process and allowing microorganisms in soil to convert the plant bag into important organic components. The process of biodegradation significantly improves the soil structure and nutrient availability. Due to the pliability of fabrics, the plant bag is foldable, easily stored and transported.
Ms Pörschmann is a young textile designer at the Engineering Department. Her design is a fusion of functionality and aesthetics. The Regrow bag is a zero-waste product that aims to use natural plant and animal fibres from local cultivation.
The formal award ceremony to honor Ms Pörschmann will be held on Thursday 11 January 2024 during Heimtextil fair in Frankfurt, Germany, at the ECONOGY Talks area in hall 12.0. The Discover Natural Fibres Initiative has awarded the price since 2017 with the aim to promote the development of new products/components and applications using natural fibres as well as new processes for manufacturing of environmentally friendly products.
Source: DNFI