Aagje Hoekstra says his bioplastic can be used to manufacture spoons, cups

Nov 1, 2013 19:16 GMT  ·  By

Folks present at this year's Eindhoven's Dutch Design Week were the first to become acquainted with a new type of bioplastic developed by designer Aagje Hoekstra.

He is a graduate of the Utrecht School of Arts, and has spent the past years perfecting a new bioplastic made from the shells of dead darkling beetles. He wittily named the material Coleoptera.

To create it, he started by converting the chitin present in beetle shells into chitosan, which he later pressed into plastic using heat. As noticeable in the picture above, the material is still imprinted with shell-shaped patters.

According to Tree Hugger, this innovative bioplastic can withstand temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit).

What's more, it is waterproof and therefore quite suitable for manufacturing spoons, cups and other similar items.

True, some might frown at the thought of having their morning coffee served in cups made from what used to be bugs. But then again, others might actually think it a rather unique (and environmentally friendly) way to start the day.