Pine trees are the world’s main source of wood. In the European Union alone, 600 million pines are felled each year. But there is more to a pine tree than just wood. Pine needles account for 20 to 30% of the mass of each tree. Tamara Orjola investigated the potential for using the billions of needles that usually remain unused, and discovered that they are a good alternative to all kinds of fibres. Using standard production techniques – crushing, soaking, steaming, carding, binding and pressing – they can be converted into textiles, composites and paper, in a process during which essential oils and dyes can also be extracted. Orjola made a series of stools and rugs from pine needles to demonstrate that this organic material is also very elegant.
Orjola established a start-up to further develop the extraction method in order to make more refined fibres from pine needles that can also be used to make clothes.
This object is part of the Design by Nature collection of Museum de Fundatie. On this page you will find more information about this exhibition and you can visit it digitally via a video tour.