Dungse, a collaboration between Studio Carbon in India and the Netherlands, aims to give cow dung a contemporary spin by combining it with other bio-based materials to create composite materials that can replace virgin wood, concrete, synthetic wool, and plastic products in homes and interiors. This breakthrough can make the age-old natural material far more advanced in terms of properties, as well as more beautiful and accessible to both urban and rural consumers.
The Dungse product range can be applied in various areas, including insulation, ceiling and wall tiles, sound-absorbing tiles, insulating wall, ceiling and floor plasters, and floor tiles. It also extends to the lifestyle goods and interiors industry, where furniture is made from compressed boards. Home accessories such as lamps, vases, coasters, and birdhouses can also be created using the composite material. In the audio industry, sound-absorbing room panels and speaker enclosures are popular.
The project involves developing a bio-composite material that can substitute for wood using 100% cow dung with no binders and researching a previously unknown heat press technique. The graduation project results in the development of knowledge and vocabulary about bio-based materials and their global market, as well as material research for wood substitute composite materials. Dungwood is created using various techniques from 100% cow dung, and product development, packaging, and storytelling concepts have been developed.
Beyond R&D, the project aims to pitch the project to investors in order to establish social enterprises in rural areas. Women from rural areas can produce the materials themselves and earn money, providing them with a source of income while extending the life of cattle and keeping them from being slaughtered. The primary goal of this project is to create a systemic approach to sustainable material production that benefits both the environment and local communities.
