Designer Sebastiaan Baar is collaborating with Innovatiehub Oost-Groningen (IHOG) on the development of circular, locally sourced materials based on regional raw resources. IHOG is a partnership between companies including Hempflax, Nedmag and Avebe, operating in the province of Groningen. The collaboration focuses on combining magnesium, potato starch and hemp fibres into new composite materials for design and construction-related applications.

The research explores the chemical interactions and material properties that emerge from different formulations of these three regionally available resources. Magnesium, hemp and potato starch are characteristic raw materials of Eastern Groningen and are traditionally associated with applications in food production, cosmetics, insulation and construction materials. Within this project, they are being investigated as components in furniture and interior design products.

One outcome of this research is a series of material and design samples, including a light collection, called Hempshade.