Announcement: 14.06.2025 – Online Lecture by Natawat Jatuphatwarodom: "Agriculture Waste to Sustainable Textiles and Fashion in Thailand"

14. Juni 2025, 11:00 Uhr, von AAI Webmaster

Foto: (both photos:) Natawat Jatuphatwarodom, resized & combined

We kindly invite you to this online lecture in English language on Saturday, June 14th, 2025, at 11:00–11:40 h (CEST/MESZ).

Topic:
    "Agriculture Waste to Sustainable Textiles and Fashion in Thailand"

Speaker:
    Asst. Prof. Natawat Jatuphatwarodom (PhD)

Affiliation:
    Faculty of Home Economics Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT)

Date/Time:
    June 14^th, 2025 (Saturday), 11:00 – 11:40 (CEST/MESZ)

Language:
    English

Zoom Link:
    https://uni-hamburg.zoom.us/j/66286342348?pwd=5jDMlYozI3qMVBbDWhtDxxLGgZLgU6.1

Zoom Meeting-ID:
    662 8634 2348

Zoom Passcode:
    72093402

About this lecture:

The transformation of agricultural waste into sustainable textiles and fashion innovations in Thailand has been a focal point of research for the team at the Faculty of Home Economics Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT). Since 2015, this multidisciplinary initiative has advanced fiber extraction, yarn design, weaving, and non-woven technologies using water hyacinth, banana, bamboo, and cattail flower.

The water hyacinth textile project addresses environmental concerns while generating new income sources for riverside communities in Pathumthani. Each bag crafted from this material removes over 400 water hyacinth plants from local waterways. Inspired by the traditional Bai Sri ceremony, the design seamlessly integrates Thai aesthetics into functional, modern fashion. This work was recognized at Milan Design Week 2025 and received the DEmark Award 2024.

Parallel efforts in banana fiber textiles have led to innovations showcased at the Japan Design, Idea and Invention Expo (JDIE 2024) and have been further developed into home textiles that combine banana and hemp fibers under Thailand's Royal Projects. These initiatives promote circular economy models and encourage community learning.

Research has also expanded into bamboo-based non-woven fabrics and cattail flower fiber development, introducing new possibilities for sustainable applications. This work was featured at the seminar "Labs, Farms, and Bottles: Turning Waste into Treasures" in Doha, co-hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council.

By blending traditional knowledge, scientific research, and international collaboration, this initiative redefines agricultural waste as a valuable resource, contributing to sustainability, innovation, and cultural preservation.

Brief profile:

Asst. Prof. Dr. Natawat Jatuphatwarodom is a textile and fashion design academic specializing in sustainable fiber innovation and eco-friendly textiles. He is a lecturer and curriculum chair at the Department of Textiles and Clothing, Faculty of Home Economics Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), Thailand.

Dr. Jatuphatwarodom holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Portsmouth, UK, focusing on the Thai silk industry, an MSc in International Fashion Marketing from Manchester Metropolitan University, and a Bachelor's in Fashion Design from RMUTT.

His research centers on using agricultural waste—such as rice straw, banana fiber, water hyacinth, and hemp—in sustainable textile development. He has led numerous projects and published widely on fabric properties, dyeing, and branding green products. Actively involved in community outreach, including Thailand’s U2T program, he integrates Thai traditional knowledge with scientific innovation to promote sustainability and support local economies.

We would like to thank the Hamburg Society for Thai Studies for the cooperation. 

You can also find all this information on our Instagram account and on our flyer.