GROWinK is a material research project developed by Peerasin Punxh Hutaphaet during the MA Material Futures programme at Central Saint Martins. The project explores how fungi and bacteria can be combined with CMYK inkjet technology to create self-decomposing, regenerative prints. Applications range from posters and packaging to textiles, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of conventional printing.
Each year, large amounts of printed matter end up in landfill. Traditional inks are often petroleum-based, contain toxic chemicals, and do not degrade naturally, which contributes to waste accumulation and biodiversity loss. GROWinK investigates how inks made from biological systems could help address these issues by turning printed materials into media that can safely return to the soil.
The ink developed in this project uses natural pigments derived from fungal growth cycles. These pigments replace chemical dyes while offering a comparable colour spectrum. The prints also contain dormant bacterial spores. When exposed to humid conditions, such as those found in landfill or natural environments, the spores activate and begin breaking down synthetic polymers. This process returns material to the soil in a form that can be absorbed as nutrients.
A system called MYCO forms part of the project, using fungi to generate pigments that reproduce the CMYK colour model. Colours are created during different stages of fungal growth, from spores to fruiting bodies. This approach shows how biobased colourants could serve as an alternative to conventional ink formulations.
For graphic design and packaging, GROWinK suggests how printed communication could become biodegradable and less harmful to the environment. Interior and textile design could also benefit from fungi-based pigments as an alternative to chemical dyes. In product and fashion design, where printed labels and decorative elements are widely used, such inks could offer more sustainable options.
The project highlights how prints can be designed with a lifecycle that ends in the soil rather than landfill. Once discarded, the material activates under natural conditions and decomposes. In this way, printed matter becomes part of a regenerative cycle rather than a source of long-term waste.
Source & photos: Central Saint Martins