PEOPLE, PINEAPPLE, PLANET.

A SMART Materials Project by the Design Center of the Philippines

Pinyapel® is a testament to Design Center's quadruple bottomline approach to circular design.It began with the intent of maximizing agricultural waste to improve the livelihood of farmers (prosperity); address concerns on dwindling natural resources and offer alternatives to plastic (planet); collaborate with local enterprises (people); and consequently, show the world what the creative and design mind of the Philippines can do (purpose).

Waste pineapple leaves transformed into sustainable, locally-made specialty paper.

Pinyapel® is a project under Design Center’s Materials Research and Development Program. The program explores the potential of agricultural waste and overlooked resources as raw materials for various product applications. Continuing research and materials manipulation reveal new possibilities for indigenous materials, thereby strengthening its impact on the design and value of Philippine products.

Pinyapel® is a showcase of ingenuity, resourcefulness, collaboration, and creativity—its impact and purpose multiplied through the generosity and strength of the community.It is a merging of the handmade and the machine, the artistry of our crafts and efficiency of technology, and our individual and collective passion to make a difference. With pinyapel®, we found something valuable and meaningful that connects us. It is a quest to make our communities and the environment better. It is the celebration of a well-designed life.

Revisit Pinyapel®’s Pioneering CollaborationMade from discarded pineapple leaves, Pinyapel® is a locally processed and manufactured paper with the aim of providing environmentally friendly, commercially viable solutions to single-use plastics. This circular design solution hopes to inspire more initiatives for sustainable living and continue to spur homegrown innovation.2019 Partners:
- Nature’s Fresh Pineapples (discarded pineapple leaves supplier)
- CDO Handmade Paper Crafts (paper sheet processor)
- Ideatechs Packaging Corporation (paper converter to food packaging applications)“What we also want to show through this project is really the Filipino value of ‘malasakit’ or the compassion on what we do with the Earth, what we do with our resources to help provide a better future for the planet and the marginalized, as well as how do we provide a unique voice, a unique design perspective in a global discourse of design.” - Executive Director Rhea O. MatutePinyapel® is a proud winner of the Wood Pencil at the 2019 D&AD Future Impact Awards under the category Environment and Sustainability. This award provided a yearlong mentorship and training to develop early-stage initiatives.

"I think the Pinyapel® project is a very viable initiative to creating new products and many more interesting designs for the world market." - Gigi Gonzales, GSG by Flora CreativesIn Part 1: Partners in Craft, two companies in Albay, GSG by Flora Creatives and RCB Crafts and Designs, show how meaningful collaboration can sustain local crafts. Meanwhile in Davao, TADECO Home continues to create new applications for pineapple fiber for home products and weaving.

“Pinyapel® has potential. We didn't think this could be transformed into something valuable." - Pete Delantar, Nature’s LegacyIn Part 2: Art of Innovation, Oro Handmade Innovations in Mindanao, Nature’s Legacy in the Visayas, and MASAECO Inc. in Luzon explore the possibilities of Pinyapel® and Pinyapulp through material innovation and product development.

"With the Pinyapel® project, we can help a lot of farmers increase their revenue by upcycling the waste pineapple leaves into something useful." - Helen Lising, Ideatechs Packaging Corp.In Part 3: Press Forward, Plastics by Manila Automat and Ideatechs Packaging Corp. present eco-friendly product solutions that serve the needs of an emerging conscious consumer.

"What we need are partners who will have the same appreciation for developing what it is we already have in our country, that is good for sustainability and closing the loop on fashion." - Director Celia Elumba, DOST-Philippine Textile and Research InstituteIn Part 4: Future Fabric, stakeholders in the local textile and fashion sectors work together to bridge gaps in industrial production of woven and nonwoven fabric from pineapple fibers. This highlights the role of DOST-PTRI in building a robust textile industry, together with Creative Definitions, I Am JUANA Clothing, and Asia Textile Mills, and Ananas Anam Philippines.

"Through design and design thinking, we really challenge the notion of the linear economy and to really close the loop." - Executive Director Rhea Matute, DTI-Design Center of the PhilippinesIn Part 5: Designing Possibilities, Creating Value, Rhea Matute and Pinyapel® Flagship Project - SSX 2022 Creative Director Tony Gonzales shares their thoughts on what makes a good collaboration, sustainability, developing Pinyapel® as a sustainable material.

Product Development Partners

Raw Material Processors

DOST – Philippine Textile and Research InstituteDOST – Industrial Technology Development InstituteDA – Philippine Fiber Industry Development AuthorityAnanas Anam Phils.Asia Textile Mills Inc.Small Piece of Paper

Raw Material Suppliers

Nature’s Fresh Pineapples Inc. / Asian HybridT’boli Farm Growers Multi-Purpose Coop**Shalom Fiber Growers Association **Labo Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative

Pinyapel® Team

Design Center of the Philippines
Executive Director
Maria Rita O. Matute
Creative Director
Tony Gonzales
Stanley RuizMary Josephine R. Cruz
Rose Marie O. Mendoza
Rolyn Lomocso
Cristine Nazareth
Lemuel Abron
Lee Villanueva
Pia Lorraine San Luis
Romil Tausa
Joyce CadungogDesigners
Tony Gonzales
Tes Pasola
Wataru Sakuma
Jon Anasco
Maria Francesca Nicole Cabanlet
Lulu Tan Gan
Cristine Nazareth
Clark Mendoza
Mark RomualdoD&AD Trustee,
Impact Jury President 2020
Pinyapel® Mentor
Kwame Taylor-HayfordPhotographed and videographed by
First Light Studio TeamWritten by
Dang SeringLookbook Art Direction and design by
Plus63

  • Address: Sitio Poking, Brgy. Labueg, Kapangan, Benguet Province

  • Email Address: [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Asao Shimura - Artist

  • Contact Number: +63.908.417.7776

  • Website: https://pinashifu.jimdofree.com/

  • Product Sector: Fashion

  • Finished Product: Handwoven Kimono Jacket

  • Address: Kabankalan, Negros Occidental

  • Email Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Michael Claparols – Co-founder

  • Contact Number: +63.998.581.8100

  • Website: https://www.creativedefinitions.com/

  • Product Sector: Fashion

  • Address: Daraga-Legazpi City-Tiwi Camarines Sur Road, Ziga Ave., San Lorenzo, Tabaco City, Albay 4511

  • Email Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Rochelle Briones – Owner

  • Contact Number: +63.955.306.5088

  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/RCB-CRAFTS-108243347647115/

  • Product Sector: Home and Fashion

  • Finished Product: Bags, Baskets, Macrame Lamps

  • Address: 27 P Quiambao St., Tierra Bella, Quezon City, Metro Manila

  • Email Address: [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Jon Añasco – President/CEO

  • Contact Number: +63.917.831.7532

  • Website: https://juana-clothing-ph.myshopify.com/

  • Product Sector: Fashion

  • Finished Product: Smart casual and Office Smart wear

  • Address: Araneta Executive Village, Potrero, Malabon

  • Email Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Helen Lising – President

  • Contact Number: +63.919.629.9993

  • Website: https://greenpak.ph/

  • Product Sector: Packaging

  • Finished Product: Coffee sleeves with cup, Corrugated sleeves, Churro Holder, Bag, Origami Packaging

  • Address: Nuestro Residence, Brgy. Carasuchi, Indang, Cavite

  • Email Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Wataru Sakuma – President and Creative Director

  • Contact Number: +63.917.519.1979

  • Website: http://masaecopaper.com/

  • Product Sector: Home

  • Finished Product: Tapestry, Rock bowl, Wall Panels

  • Address: Area 77, P. Remigio St. Banilad, Mandaue, Cebu 6014

  • Email Address: [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Pete Delantar – President and Chief Executive

  • Contact Number: +63.917.700.4201

  • Website: https://www.natureslegacy.com/

  • Product Sector: Home

  • Finished Product: Planters. Vases

  • Address: Daang Hari Rd. corner Ilang-Ilang, Las Pinas 3 Cielito Road, Intercity Homes, Cupang, Muntinlupa City

  • Email Address: [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Tony Gonzales – CEO

  • Contact Number: +63.917.531.4257

  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/OneOfT.ph

  • Product Sector: Home

  • Finished Product: Lamps, Art Toys

  • Address: Barra Opol, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro

  • Email Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Lolita Cabanlet – General Manager

  • Contact Number: +63.947.890.2988

  • Website: https://indigenous.ph

  • Product Sector: Home and Packaging

  • Finished Product: Paper strip wraps, Folded Lamps, Collapsible Packaging, Flat-Packed Packaging

  • Address: Xavierville II Alvero Gate, Brgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City

  • Email Address: [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Mica Agregado – Founder and Creative Head

  • Contact Number: +63.917.775.2159

  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/plastics.manila.automat

  • Product Sector: Home

  • Finished Product: Tiles, Lamps, Wall décor, Home décor

  • Address: Daraga-Legazpi City-Tiwi Camarines Sur Road, Ziga Ave., San Lorenzo, Tabaco City, Albay 4511

  • Email Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Rochelle Briones – Owner

  • Contact Number: +63.955.306.5088

  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/RCB-CRAFTS-108243347647115/

  • Product Sector: Home and Fashion

  • Finished Product: Bags, Baskets, Macrame Lamps

  • Address: Damosa Market Basket, Lanang, Angliongto St., Davao City

  • Email Address: [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Maricris Brias – Founder and Creative Director

  • Contact Number: +63.917.311.7249

  • Website: https://www.tadecohome.com/

  • Product Sector: Home

  • Finished Product: Paper weaves – soft cubes, bilao, bayong, New scrunch, Sinamay Lamp, Bastidor Lamp

  • Address: Km. 534 National Road Sto. Domingo, Albay

  • Email Address: [email protected]

  • Contact Person: Ann Hernandez – Manager

  • Contact Number: +63.917.532.8965

  • Website: https://www.weavemanila.com/

  • Product Sector: Home

  • Finished Product: Carpet

Pinyapel® Products

Pinyapel® Lookbook

This lookbook aims to share the story of an idea now making its way into the world in the form of these products. These objects also serve as a springboard to imagine a journey of thoughtful, innovative processes. Through this storytelling of a day in a life, we engage with the audience a world that can take shape sooner than we think. We hope this presents a bigger picture and highlights a collective mindset that leans towards good design and sustainability as a way of living.

Pinyapel® Swatch Box

Pinyapel® Swatch Box is a collection of the different materials produced from pineapple wastes by the Design Center of the Philippines' collaborators.

Pineapple Biocomposite Tile

Biocomposite tile made from compounded Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) waste, Pinyapel®, and Pinyapulp with PLASupplier: Plastics by ManilaSpecifications: 40 x 70 cm (Actual size in supply); approx. 650 grams/pc

Pineapple Yarn

Pineapple-cotton blended yarns made from 30% pineapple fibers and 70% cotton.Supplier: Creative DefinitionsSpecifications: 10Ne/2 size; 1.4 kg

Twined Pineapple Paper

Twined pineapple paper from 100% fibersSupplier: GSG by Flora CreativesSpecifications: Twined from flat ribbon width of 2 in.

Pineapple Rope

Made from 100% Pineapple fibersSupplier: GSG by Flora Creatives

Pineapple Biocomposite Pellets

Biocomposite pellets made from compounded Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) waste, Pinyapel®, and Pinyapulp with PLASupplier: DOST - Industrial Technology Development Institute

Pineapple Pulp

Loosed pulp made from 100% pineapple fibersSupplier: GSG by Flora Creatives

Handwoven Pineapple Mat

Handwoven mats using twined pineapple paperSupplier: GSG by Flora CreativesSpecifications: 45-60 cm in width (Actual size in supply)

Woven Pineapple Fabric

Machine-woven fabric made from 30% pineapple fiberSupplier: Creative DefinitionsSpecifications: 139.7 cm in width (Actual size in supply)

Pineapple Paper 110 gsm

Paper made from 100% pineapple fibersSupplier: GSG by Flora CreativesSpecifications: 68 x 91 cm (Actual size in supply)

Pineapple Paper 105 gsm

Paper made from 100% pineapple fibersSupplier: MASAECO Inc.Specifications: 106 x 270 cm (Actual size in supply)

Pineapple Paper 70 gsm

Paper made from 100% pineapple fibersSupplier: MASAECO Inc.Specifications: 106 x 270 cm (Actual size in supply)

Embossed Pineapple Paper
105 gsm

Emboss paper made from 100% pineapple fibersSupplier: MASAECO Inc.Specifications: 106 x 270 cm (Actual size in supply)

Embossed Pineapple Paper
70 gsm

Emboss paper made from 100% pineapple fibersSupplier: MASAECO Inc.Specifications: 106 x 270 cm (Actual size in supply)

Pinyapel® 90 gsm

Specialty paper from 100% pineapple leaves that is reinforced and print-viableSupplier: Oro Handmade InnovationsSpecifications: 70 x 100 cm (Actual size in supply)

Non-woven Pinyapel® Fabric

Needle punch fabric made from pineapple fibersSupplier: Creative DefinitionsSpecifications: 152.4 cm in width (Actual size in supply)

Piñatex Red

Coated non-woven pineapple fabric from pineapple fibersSupplier: Ananas Anam PhilippinesSpecifications: 162.5 cm in width (Actual size in supply)

Piñatex Black

Coated non-woven pineapple fabric from pineapple fibersSupplier: Ananas Anam PhilippinesSpecifications: 162.5 cm in width (Actual size in supply)

Piñatex Yellow

Coated non-woven pineapple fabric from pineapple fibersSupplier: Ananas Anam PhilippinesSpecifications: 162.5 cm in width (Actual size in supply)

Piñatex Brown

Coated non-woven pineapple fabric from pineapple fibersSupplier: Ananas Anam PhilippinesSpecifications: 162.5 cm in width (Actual size in supply)

Piñatex Green

Coated non-woven pineapple fabric from pineapple fibersSupplier: Ananas Anam PhilippinesSpecifications: 162.5 cm in width (Actual size in supply)

Pineapple Pulp Board 650g

Pressed pulp made from 100% pineapple fibersSupplier: MASAECO Inc.Specifications: 40 x 70 cm (Actual size in supply) approx. 650 grams/pc

Pinyapulp Board 650g

Pressed pulp made from 100% pineapple fibersSupplier: MASAECO Inc.Specifications: 40 x 70 cm (Actual size in supply) approx. 650 grams/pc

Pinyapulp Board 200g

Pressed pulp made from 100% pineapple fibersSupplier: Oro Handmade InnovtionsSpecifications: 30 x 48 cm (Actual size in supply) approx. 200 grams/pc

D&AD Award

Pinyapel® is a proud winner of the Wood Pencil at the 2019 D&AD Future Impact Awards under the category Environment and Sustainability. This award provided a yearlong mentorship and training to develop early-stage initiatives.

Index Award 2023 Nomination

Pinyapel® scored a nomination in the Community category for this year's The Index Project!Pinyapel®'s latest nomination by a globally recognized award-giving body, The Index Project, reinforces its commitment to #sustainablepractices.The product has consistently pushed the boundaries of sustainability and innovation, making it a worthy contender for The Index Project's award. The product positively impacts the environment and has the potential to revolutionize the packaging and product industry in the country.Learn more about the nomination here: https://theindexproject.org/award/nominees/7918

Features & Highlights

Engagements & Participations

2026

My Liveable City Magazine Feature

Andrea Benatar explores how craft allows us to reconnect our material making process with our natural environment.

The Philippine Printer Publication Feature

The Philippine Printer, the official publication of the Printing Industries Association of the Philippines, featured Pinyapel® for their July-August 2022 issue.

Liwanagan Sa Diliman:
The Official Newsletter of the United Architects of the Philippines

PMG Market 2.0: An Innovation and Sustainability Expo

Pinyapel® was lauded together with other sustainable products and materials featured at the recent PMG Market 2.0: An Innovation and Sustainability Expo held at the SM Aura on August 3 and 4, 2022.

In photo is Mohita Gulati, the Client Servicing Director of PMG Asia, and Account Director Padotte Young, proudly parades Lakat shoes, also made of Pinyapel®. “The Lakat shoes exemplify re-purposing materials into innovative design into sustainability,” says Mohita.

Also in the photo are PMG Group Chief Executive Kong Man Haw and Managing Director Prashant Kaul, who likewise take an interest in Lakat shoes.

In support of innovation and sustainability, Design Center’s Executive Director Rhea Matute presented the center’s design-driven sustainability initiatives.ED Rhea emphasized that being a designer demands not only designing products but also designing the future of the products. “As we design the future of products, we are likewise re-imagining, re-designing productions, systems, and the materials we use”
The PMG Market 2.0 is a convergence of Philippine vendors that showcase their innovative and sustainable solutions for print, POSM, and Promotions.

International Design Conference 2022: Future For All

Last October 14 and 15, 2022, Pinyapel® had a special product setting along with Bakong, another SMART material project by the Design Center of the Philippines, during the International Design Conference 2022: Future For All at UP Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.Pinyapel®'s setting featured products such as the Lakat Shoes, Ikat fabric dress, bags, vases, stools, and art toys. The Pinyapel® swatch box was also included.The International Design Conference is the biggest design conference in the Philippines. The event was co-presented by the Tourism Promotions Board and supported by the British Council.

Sustainability Solutions Exchange 2022

The Design Center believes that good design is rooted in SMART materials.In the maiden edition of the Sustainability Solutions Exchange, the national agency for design launched industrial and artisanal applications of two native materials, Bakong and Pinyapel®, with a view to usher in a new way of looking at consumption, production, and circularity.

Pinyapel® Setting Launch at the Senate of the Philippines

The Design Center of the Philippines, together with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, showcased the future of innovative and sustainable products utilizing green pulp and paper across both artisanal and industrial categories during the relaunch of the Pinyapel® Special Setting at the Session Hall at the Office of the Senate of the Philippines.The launch also highlighted the current state of the pulp and paper market and the investment opportunities in establishing mechanized pinyapel® pulp mill facilities. These facilities aim to produce non-wood pulp from pineapple plantation waste, with the goal of promoting investment in Pinyapel® Pulp Industrialization and advocating for a Greener Future.RELATED ARTICLES:
- Use of 'pinyapel®' pulp pushed as alternate to plastics by Philippine News Agency
- Legarda opens Pinyapel® Pulp exhibit in the Senate by Senator Loren Legarda
- Legarda opens Pinyapel® exhibit by Senate of the Philippines

Pinyapel® at the American Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Following U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo's two-day Presidential Trade and Investment Mission (PITM) was a farewell luncheon and exhibit at the Ayala Museum on 12 March 2024 attended by several embassy officials, top business executives, and other distinguished guests.The Design Center team, in collaboration with designer-artist Sir Tony Gonzales, curated an exhibition that aimed to showcase Filipino craftsmanship and innovation. Part of the feature were pinyapel® artisanal and industrial products showcased through a special setting and Bakong Spiderlily Collection pieces alongside renowned designers and companies such as TADECO Home, Philux, and Valdes Designs.

Pinyapel® at the IPOPHIL Gawad Yamang Isip Awards

The IPOPHL’s Gawad Yamang Isip Award is the country’s most prestigious Intellectual Property (IP) award. It is conferred to Filipino individuals and institutions that helped improve Filipino’s quality of life through innovation and creativity while promoting the importance of IP. The Gawad Yamang Isip recognizes Filipinos who have shown distinct ingenuity and talent in their specific fields using the IP system in the process. The 2024 GYI puts the spotlight on Filipinos whose inventions, innovations, and works are aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The Design Center of Philippines was requested to setup the Pop-Up Exhibition for Bakong and Pinyapel® at the IPOPHL’s Gawad Yamang Isip Award on 29 April 2024 at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City. The exhibit featured materials developed under SMART Materials Research and Development Program that converts local raw materials and agricultural wastes into next generation material alternatives that are building blocks of sustainable and regenerative design that impact the environment, the economy and local communities.RELATED ARTICLES:
- Design Center earns again recognition at 2024 Gawad Yamang Isip Awards by SMNI News Channel

Pinyapel® Investors Forum

The Design Center of the Philippines, in partnership with the Competitiveness and Innovation Group (DTI-CIG) and in celebration of the National Exporter’s Week through the Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), embarks on a journey that transcends conventional boundaries, uniting esteemed industry partners, visionaries, financiers, and government at the forefront of innovation in collectively shaping the future landscape of nonwood pulp investment opportunities.The Pinyapel® Investor Forum provides a captivating discourse on the endless possibilities of pinyapel® – a locally made paper from discarded pineapple leaves initially designed for artisanal crafts that is now ambitioned towards industrial-scale application through a transformative investment in a pioneering mechanized pinyapel® pulp mill that would position the Philippines as a hub for globally competitive, sustainable and innovation driven manufacturing and services industry.

Revisit the Journey of Pinyapel®From discarded pineapple leaves turned to pulp and paper, Pinyapel® has been a creative and innovative game-changer in design and sustainability in the Philippines.At the 2023 Design Center-led Pinyapel® Investment Forum, the seeds of innovation and purpose planted years ago were celebrated, showcasing how they have flourished into a beacon of progress. This milestone event propelled the vision of Pinyapel® even further, setting the stage for its continued journey of impact and ingenuity.

Highlights from the Pinyapel® Investors ForumRediscover the milestones and opportunities that pave the way for Pinyapel’s continued success, where sustainability meets innovation at the Pinyapel® Investors Forum. This gathering showcased Pinyapel’s journey, its achievements in sustainable design, and its vision for the future. It also introduced groundbreaking investment opportunities, including the establishment of a pioneering mechanized Pinyapel® pulp mill in targeted regions, while sharing insights and testimonials from stakeholders and key players.

Pinyapel® Investors Forum
Event Briefer

Pinyapel® Investment Memorandum, Market Study, & Pre-Feasibility Study

Design X Pinyapel®

As part of its multi-sector campaign to push forth the circularity agenda in the country, the Design Center of the Philippines has launched Design X, a program geared toward fostering green entrepreneurship and sustainable growth. Using Design Center's pinyapel®, pulp made from discarded pineapple leaves, this collection is a result of the collaboration and co-creation between the agency, Creative Direction, Milo Naval, and 21 companies for the production of the materials to its transformation into interior products.A key component of Design X is to strongly position circularity as the best way forward to ensure that the Philippine design pillars of People, Profit, and Planet all benefit in equal measure.

Workshop on Sustainability

To enrich the growing dialogue on circularity in the country, the Design Center tapped designer, sociologist, and leading circular economy expert Dr. Leyla Acaroglu to empower various stakeholders including practitioners, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and academics to operationalize circularity in Philippine design.In her intensive workshop titled The Urgency of Sustainability and the Power of Circularity: Recalibrating Business Models for a Sustainable Future, as well as her keynote address during the 7th edition of the International Design Conference, Dr. Acaroglu shared global insights and benchmarks in circularity to be woven into local realities, as well as a closer look at what it truly means to close the loop.

Product Development Partners

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), together with designers and artisans who aimed to integrate sustainable practices and design-driven innovation into their operations.The Design Center collaborated with ten furniture and home accessories manufacturers known for their expertise in producing high-quality products for export markets. Furthermore, four of the pioneering manufacturers and material converters of pinyapel® were also onboarded for product development.

Work with Pinyapel®

We are always looking for ways to expand the use of Pinyapel®. Get in touch with us if you can supply or process the raw materials, or if you'd like to use it for your designs.Click the button below or email us at [email protected].

Work with Design Center

Work with us or get to know more about the Design Center and its programs at [email protected].

DESIGN BRIEFING (EDUCATIONAL TOUR) FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is an internationally recognized leader in career education, design, and business, and is part of the State University of New York. A delegation of 15 undergraduate students from FIT, specializing in international business, fashion, and textile design, visited the Philippines, led by their professor, Preeti Arya. The visit aimed to explore the country's innovation and expertise in sustainable textile development, indigenous weaving practices, and design-driven manufacturing.The Design Briefing (Educational Tour) with FIT organized by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) – New York and hosted by the Design Center of the Philippines highlighted the Philippines’ innovative textile sector, particularly its sustainable development initiatives and indigenous weaving practices. The Design Center through Research Division featured its flagship projects, including pinyapel® - a SMART Materials innovation exemplifying the agency’s commitment to circular design principles.RELATED ARTICLES:
- Design Briefing with Fashion Institute of technology by DTI-Design Center of the Philippines

2ND PHILIPPINES-JAPAN ENVIRONMENT WEEK

The 2nd Japan-Philippines Environmental Week took place from January 13-15, 2025, at the Mayuree Ballroom, Dusit Thani Manila. Co-organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines and the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, this two-day initiative aimed to address pressing environmental challenges, foster sustainable business opportunities, and advance the transition toward a decarbonized and resilient society.The event featured a series of activities, including policy exchanges, dialogues, seminars, and business pitching sessions that covered topics such as environmental technologies, circular economy strategies, and sustainable innovations.Beyond the plenary session which was complemented by seminars, business pitches, and networking sessions designed to facilitate meaningful partnerships and drive sustainable business innovations, the event also showcased cutting-edge environmental technologies and solutions focused on climate change mitigation, waste management, recycling, pollution control, and ESG-related investments.RELATED ARTICLES:
- 2nd Philippines-Japan Environment Week by DTI-Design Center of the Philippines

UP MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SUMMIT

The Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) Summit is the flagship event of the University of the Philippines Materials Science Society (UP MSS), a duly recognized academic student organization based at the College of Engineering of the University of the Philippines Diliman. It is an annual event that features MSE-themed activities such as research symposium, impromptu speaking contest, poster making contest, and materials quiz show.This year, the MSE Summit was held at the Melchor Hall, UP Diliman on January 24 to 25, 2025, with the theme, “Reimagining Communities with MSE.” This edition underscores the role of MSE in urbanization, environmental management, and technological innovations by highlighting discoveries and strengthening efforts in making safer, more resilient, and sustainable communities. Aligned with this year’s theme, UP MSS invited the Design Center to take part in the MSE Summit to showcase its material innovations and agency services. The Design Center SMART Materials exhibit featured Pinyapel, Bakong, and agency services including access to Material ConneXion and WGSN.The Design Center Research Division has implemented flagship projects that utilize agricultural wastes and indigenous materials to develop commercially viable products that are sustainable and environment friendly. These material and product innovations under the Pinyapel and Bakong projects are showcased through pop-up exhibits and special settings, which not only highlight the material developments, but also increase engagement and encourage sustainable innovation among its audiences.RELATED ARTICLES:
- UP Materials Science and Engineering Summit by DTI-Design Center of the Philippines

PROPAK PHILIPPINES 2025

ProPak Philippines is the leading international processing and packaging trade event in the Philippines. It serves as a key platform for the processing, packaging, food, and beverage industries to network, share insights, and drive profitability. Last year’s event featured seminars, conferences, and exhibitions showcasing the latest technologies and innovations aimed at spurring market growth and supporting local businesses. Hundreds of industry professionals attended various sessions to connect and build partnerships within the community. The Design Center of the Philippines participated by presenting its flagship project, pinyapel® – a SMART Materials innovation exemplifying the agency’s commitment to circular design principles, in the seminar organized by the Philippine Printing Technical Foundation (PPTF).For the 5th Edition of the ProPak Philippines, the Design Center of the Philippines has partnered with ProPak organizer, Informa Markets, to feature the agency’s programs, projects and services through Design Center’s Institutional Booth. Specifically, the Research and Design Services Divisions’ key initiatives and services were showcased for ProPak Philippines 2025 attendees.RELATED ARTICLES:
- ProPak Philippines 2025 by DTI-Design Center of the Philippines

PHILIPPINES INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE SHOW 2025

The DTI-Design Center joins the Philippine International Furniture Show as it officially kicked off its 33rd edition at the SMX Convention Center yesterday, featuring the best of Filipino craftsmanship, sustainable design, and creative innovation. This year's theme, "Philippines: An Archipelago of Design," celebrates the country's rich cultural heritage through a carefully curated selection of furniture, lighting, and home décor from over a hundred exhibitors.
DTI-Design Center proudly supports PIFS in highlighting Filipino creativity and design excellence while fostering collaboration between local artisans and global designers, manufacturers, and exporters to elevate world-class craftsmanship.
One of the highlights of the opening day was the PIFS Design Award, which recognized outstanding Philippine furniture design. This year's panel of judges included Ms. Rita Nazareno, IDr. Cyndi Beltran, IDr. Leo Lino Almeria, with DTI-Design Center Executive Director Rhea Matute overseeing the award's administration.
PIFS runs until March 8 at the SMX Convention Center. Design Center has its own booth at this year's PIFS, featuring the #GoodDesignAwardPhilippines and showcasing innovative applications of pinyapel® through Design X.RELATED ARTICLES:
- Philippines International Furniture Show 2025 by DTI-Design Center of the Philippines

EU-PH GREEN ECONOMY PARTNERSHIP PAVILION BOOTH AT THE SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS EXCHANGE 2025

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) together with Expertise France of Groupe Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) is a co-implementing the EUR 60 million EU-PH Green Economy Partnership: Green Business, Infrastructure, and Finance (Strategic Objective 3). Funded by the European Union with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as the leading executing agency, the programme aims to support climate mitigation. A significant part of the programme’s action is advocating for the transition of traditional linear businesses into circular and green ones and influencing Filippinos across all sectors, including the food and beverage sector.This year, the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership will have a booth at the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) 2025, the country’s first platform promoting sustainable practices, resources, and technology to the world’s essential industries held side-by-side the International Food, Beverage, and Ingredients Trade Show (IFEX) annually organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).As one of the country’s frontrunners in green innovation, the Design Center was invited to showcase its flagship initiatives under the SMART Materials Development Program namely Bakong and pinyapel® projects through showcase of the products developed with key industry partners demonstrating that circular products are not just the future of Philippine businesses but are also becoming part of Filipino everyday life too. The Bakong and pinyapel® collections, first launched virtually in 2022 at the Sustainability Solutions Exchange, made a return for the 2025 edition.

PMG COCA-COLA INNOVATION DAY 2025

The PMG Group, a marketing agency that offers a comprehensive suite of integrated marketing communications solutions to help clients operate dynamically and smartly across the Asia Pacific for 25 years is initiating another Sustainability and Innovation initiative exclusively with Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines. PMG Philippines have officially requested Design Center to display initiatives on sustainability and circularity specifically pinyapel® and Bakong products and to inspire their Coca-Cola Modern and General Trade Marketing Teams through an innovation talk by Design Center’s Executive Director Maria Rita O. Mature at the PMG Coca-Cola Innovation Day 2025.This year, the Design Center aims to highlight the continuing development under the Materials Research and Development Program hoping that the products under the pinyapel® and Bakong Projects be adopted by Coca-Cola as part of its corporate social responsibility and sustainable solution goals.

FEU iTAMREADY: TECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATIONS FOR DISASTER RESILIENCE EXPOSITION

In celebration of National Defense Resilience Month (NDRM) 2025, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of
Technology, through its National Service Training Program (NSTP), organized iTamready: Technologies and
Innovations for Disaster Resilience Exposition, an annual NSTP event designed to equip students and key
stakeholders with essential knowledge, skills, and tools related to climate change, disaster risk reduction, and response strategies. The Design Center of the Philippines was invited to participate as one of the exhibitors for this year’s exposition spotlighting its SMART Materials initiatives, pinyapel® and Bakong, and their role in advancing sustainability, circular design, and climate resilience. This exhibit provided concrete examples of how design innovation can turn agricultural and natural resources into sustainable materials with practical environmental applications. It also demonstrated how creative industries and environmental responsibility intersect, inspiring youth engagement in resilience-building and green innovation and spark potential collaborationsRELATED ARTICLES:
- FEU iTAMReady: Technologies and Innovations for Disaster Resilience Exposition by DTI-Design Center of the Philippines

MALIKHAING PINOY CREATIVES EXPO

The DTI-Design Center of the Philippines joins the DTI Malikhaing Pinoy Creative Expo 2025 in celebration of #PhilippineCreativeIndustriesMonth, bringing design to the forefront of national progress.
Curated and designed by the Design Center, the Design Domain Pavilion is a living narrative of how design shapes national identity, policy, and inclusive innovation. From pinyapel® to the National Design Policy, and through the works of Filipino design visionaries - Kenneth Cobonpue, Bea Valdes, Neil Felipp, Bambike, Triboa Bay, and others - the Pavilion affirms the Philippines’ role as a cultural and creative force in the region.RELATED ARTICLES:
- Malikhaing Pinoy Creatives Expo by DTI-Design Center of the Philippines

PROPAK 2026

As a leading advocate for sustainability and circularity in packaging and manufacturing design, the Design
Center, through its Research Division underscores its commitment to embedding the value of circularity within
the academe and among the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which constitute about 99% of the
country’s establishments through its participation at the ProPak PhilippinesProPak Philippines is the country’s leading international trade event for processing and packaging, serving as a premier platform for showcasing market trends, investment opportunities, and industry networking. The event features product exhibitions alongside a comprehensive program of conferences, seminars, and technical workshops that promote innovative and sustainable solutions for Philippine enterprises. The event provides various industries with access to the latest development in packaging and processing machines and technology from leading companies across the globe. It also serves as a strategic meeting point, connecting international suppliers with local and regional buyers from the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.This year, the Design Center of the Philippines participated in the ProPak Philippines 2026 through the following key activities:a. Sustainability Design Talk
b. Sustainability Forum
c. Packaging ClinicThis engagement served as a platform to present CE-based initiatives at the Sustainable Design Talk and Sustainability Forum by partners within the pinyapel® network and provided a Packaging Clinic for MSMEs by Design Center’s Research Division, Design Services Division and Design Services Support Unit Team during the event aligning with the event’s theme “Consumer-Conscious Innovation, Driving Global Competitiveness and Sustainability”.

1ST QUARTER DESIGN ADVISORY
COUNCIL MEETING

Design Advisory Council (DAC) is a multi-sectoral body composed of representatives from government, industry, and the private sector. Its role is to advise on strengthening the country’s design ecosystem—helping shape national strategies like the National Design Policy (NDP), supporting innovation, promoting Filipino design globally, and ensuring that design contributes to economic development and competitiveness.The 1st Quarter Design Advisory Council (DAC) Meeting of the Design Center of the Philippines was held on Tuesday, 24 March, and was chaired by DTI Secretary Roque, with ASEC Al Valenciano and DAC Council members in attendance. Participation was strong, with 6 of 9 public sector representatives and all 5 private sector members confirmed. The meeting featured updates on NDP implementation and Interdesign® 2026. A key highlight was the ceremonial signing of the Council Resolution for the formal ratification of Interdesign® Siargao Island 2026, symbolizing the Council’s collective commitment to advancing the country’s design agenda.The meeting also highlighted the Design Center of the Philippines’ key initiatives and priorities for 2026, underscoring its expanded role in capacity building, innovation, and global engagement. Among the programs presented were the TESDA x Design Center collaboration on Design Thinking, the Good Design Award Philippines, and SMART Materials development, alongside pinyapel® on updates on the GGGI-supported pulp facility featured in collaboration materials from the British Council. Other initiatives brought forward included the Design Governance Initiative (DGI), Government Internship Program (GIP), Disenyo, Shared Service Facilities (SSF), the Asia Design Sharing Council Meeting, International Design Conference (IDC), Design Week Philippines, ResiDisenyo, and the PSF-Design program—all contributing to strengthening the national design ecosystem and advancing creative industry growth.

DIA DEL LIBRO

Día del Libro (International Book Day) is an annual event organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the world’s largest public institution dedicated to teaching Spanish and the co-official languages of Spain, as well as the dissemination of the culture of Spanish-speaking countries, in partnership with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and AECID Philippines which offers a rare, immersive celebration of books and culture in the heart of Makati. The event features a wide range of activities, including exhibits, live performances, talks, dance presentations, workshops, competitions, poetry readings, a Spanish food fair, and many other cultural offerings. A highlight of the event is the Book Market, inspired by the Spanish tradition of exchanging books and roses, to celebrate the International Book Day.To celebrate the long-awaited Día del Libro this 2026, Instituto Cervantes invited the Design Center of the Philippines to run a workshop which will be incorporated in the main program as well as conduct additional activities within the designated booth or area allocated to the Design Center free-of-charge.Through the Technical Workshops under the Knowledge Integration for Innovation, Technology, and Enterprise or KIITE Project, the Design Center conducted Crafting Pages: Handmade Papermaking and Binding Workshops at the Día del Libro and invited industry partners to sell their best-selling paper products for the pop-up bazaar component of the Design Center engagement.RELATED ARTICLES:
- Dia del Libro by DTI-Design Center of the Philippines
- Dia del Libro by DTI-Design Center of the Philippines

BEYOND THE FRUIT WEBINAR

Beyond the Fruit: Women and Livelihoods in the Pineapple Fiber Value Chain
Today, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convenes a global panel on Women, Rights, and Livelihoods in the Pineapple Fiber Value Chain and Bioeconomy. This dialogue is more than a conversation, it is a call to reimagine how design, innovation, and policy can empower women farmers and communities.Representing the Philippines, Maria Rita O. Matute, Executive Director of the Design Center of the Philippines, will share how the country’s design journey has evolved from pioneering creative industries to shaping national policy. Under the Philippine Design Competitiveness Act of 2013 (RA 10557), the Design Center was reengineered as the nation’s lead agency for cultivating creativity, value creation, and innovation, a mandate that positions design as a creative tool for competitiveness, a strategic tool for sustainable growth, and an innovative tool for enhancing quality of life.
This mandate is embodied in the National Design Policy, which envisions the Philippines as a design powerhouse in Southeast Asia, where design drives prosperity, empowers communities, and inspires generations.At the heart of this vision is pinyapel®, a Design Center initiative that transforms discarded pineapple leaves into sustainable materials. More than material innovation, pinyapel® is a story of resilience: how waste becomes value, how design becomes livelihood, and how women farmers become catalysts for change.
The panel will explore how initiatives like pinyapel® connect local ingenuity to global frameworks - from green entrepreneurship to the UN Sustainable Development Goals - proving that design-led innovation can empower people, protect the planet, and foster prosperity through creativity.RELATED ARTICLES:
- Beyond the Fruit: Women and Livelihoods in the Pineapple Fiber Value Chain by DTI-Design Center of the Philippines

PHILIPPINE EXHIBITION AT THE 2026 WIPO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

In support of the Philippines’ chairmanship of this year’s World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly, the Philippines successfully mounted the exhibition titled “IP in Sustainable Tourism,” which runs from 7 to 15 July at the WIPO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The exhibition, curated and designed by the DTI - Design Center of the Philippines, shines a light on registered Philippine geographical indications (GIs), such as the Guimaras Mangoes, the Aklan Piña, and the T'nalak Tau Sebu, demonstrating how origin-linked products contribute to destination branding, cultural continuity, and community livelihoods.
Also featured are regional products protected through collective marks, such as the Bikol Pili and the Camiguin Lanzones, underscoring how community branding strengthens regional identity and market recognition.
Green technologies and sustainable materials, including Design Center’s Pinyapel, are also in display, alongside bamboo-based textiles and the University of the Philippines-developed Fish-I reef monitoring technology.
The exhibition is spearheaded by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), in collaboration with the DTI - Design Center of the Philippines, the Department of Tourism - Philippines (DoT), the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN, and the WIPO Secretariat.RELATED ARTICLES:
- Philippine Exhibition at the 2026 WIPO General Assembly by DTI-Design Center of the Philippines [Pinyapel®]

Pinyapel® ACTIVATION SHOWCASE AT THE SUSTAINABILITY SOLUSTIONS EXCHANGE 2026

SEE YOU AT THE SHOWCASE!

DATE: 15-17 October 2026 | 8:00 AM to 6:00 PMVENUE: Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC)BOOTH/LOCATION: PTTC Lobby