Volkskrant Magazine: Het betere spul (The Better Stuff)

This weekend in Volkskrant Magazine: Het betere spul (The Better Stuff), a beautiful and insightful article by Joline van den Oever highlights our groundbreaking work with the innovative power plant Silphium Perfoliatum—commonly known as Silphy. This extraordinary and versatile fiber crop has the potential to revolutionize sustainable design and production, offering a promising solution for the future of renewable materials.

Earlier this year, we successfully developed a range of sustainable building materials using Silphy. Its unique properties, including durability, renewability, and environmental benefits, make it an exciting alternative to traditional materials. The advanced panel material—refined through ongoing research and innovation by Studio Simone van Es—represents a significant step toward ecological design practices.

Our Silphy-based panel made its debut at the recent Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, where it was showcased as part of the ROOTS Exhibition. This exhibition, renowned for its focus on sustainability and the connection to the natural world, provided the perfect platform to highlight the possibilities of this remarkable plant.

For this special occasion, renowned Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek contributed his signature craftsmanship by creating a Stackable Stool, a stunning piece entirely crafted from 100% Silphy panels. This collaboration demonstrates the versatility and aesthetic appeal of Silphy, bridging innovation and design.

But Silphy’s potential extends beyond design alone. As a resilient and low-maintenance crop, it offers significant ecological benefits, such as improving soil health, sequestering carbon, and providing a sustainable alternative to non-renewable resources. The material possibilities—from furniture and construction to packaging and beyond—open up an exciting dialogue about how nature and design can work together to shape a more sustainable future.

Are you curious about the power and endless possibilities of this extraordinary plant? Dive into the article below to explore how Silphium Perfoliatum is paving the way for a greener, smarter tomorrow. Let’s rediscover the beauty and potential of nature through innovation!

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