During 2019 I spent three months working on a Netherlands-based project called Precious Plastic Version 4. Precious Plastic is a Dutch foundation that develops open-source, low-tech plastic recycling machines and technology.
Version 4 hosted various experimental projects including Beyond Plastic, which explored alternative biodegradable material solutions, mainly through heat-pressing, to replace single-use plastic waste products. German bio-designer, Jannis Kempkens, developed this project since the start of Version 4 in October 2018. Over the following summer, I worked alongside him assisting with concepts and designs for biomaterials workspace (similar to those used for existing Precious Plastic machines), mold-making, as well as creating various graphics and illustrations surrounding the project.
These plate molds were made using an angle grinder and MIG welder. Most of our other biomaterial heat press molds had been made on a CNC or engine lathe. As an open-source project, we saw value in making a mold with more accessible metalworking tools and techniques. The main material tests for these iterations were done using wheat bran.
