From plastic waste transformed into carpets to eggshells becoming tableware and numerous new products, Thai upcycling is proving that sustainability can produce high-value items that attract global luxury brands. This was the message of Dr Singh Intrachooto, chief adviser to the Research and Innovation for Sustainability Centre and an associate professor at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, in an interview about “Thailand’s Innovative Upcycling for Everyday Life” exhibition at M7. The week-long exhibition, presented by the Thai embassy in collaboration with Qatar Museums from September 8-14, aims to showcase Thailand's expertise in the circular economy and inspire similar initiatives in Qatar. Speaking to Gulf Times, Dr Intrachooto said he hopes that visitors to the exhibition would be surprised by the diverse applications of recycled materials, saying: “So the product you see here at M7 would be something the people (would say), ‘Oh really? The carpet can be made from plastic waste or even the paint from my wall can absorb carbon? Those are made from just ashes or eggshells?’” He underlined the huge potential of upcycling, such as “eggshells into tableware, into countertops, and a lot of people like to eat fruits, we turn mango peels, banana peels into leather”. “With this kind of innovation that people could see here at M7, they will start thinking, ‘hey maybe sustainability is not so far away after all’”, Dr Intrachooto said. He pointed out that these are tangible, everyday items that everyone can support, understand, and use. He added that the exhibition aims to spark initiative and encourage collaboration across borders, highlighting art, science, and co-operation as key elements for progress. About the viability of such initiatives in Qatar, Dr Intrachooto drew parallels with Thailand’s own journey, saying: “Can Qatar do this? I definitely think they can”. He recalled initial skepticism in Thailand about upcycling, but noted that after 15 years, it has evolved into mass production and established new industries. “It became a new industry to serve the future, needs and trends,” he said, citing the growing demand for sustainable products in the booming green building sector, and suggesting that Qatar is in a “great position” to capitalise on this market. While some people might question upcycling’s cost-effectiveness, he assured that “if you start doing it, you get the price down within the first few years”. Dr Intrachooto revealed the significant appeal of upcycled materials to the luxury market, as he addressed concerns about attracting customers, especially in the context of popular brands. “For example... we work with Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Cartier, so that means even big brands want to use this kind of materials,” he said, stressing the importance of merging design with science. “You can not just push science, and it doesn’t look good, and you can not just do the design without having the substance of new innovation,” Dr Intrachooto said. He expressed optimism that a Scrap Lab can be established in Qatar, along with partners, which will serve as an academic “sandbox” for developing new formulas and solutions, which would then become available to industries.
Saturday, December 06, 2025
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Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.
