A new design project called 'Plane to Product,' repurposes old materials and turns them into upcycled travel accessories. Although the finished products may look brand new, each piece is actually made entirely from old airplane pieces.
The project came about when KLM airlines decided to overhaul its business class section. Designer Hella Jongerius subsequently asked students at the Design Academy Eindhoven to use the materials from the old business class seats to develop new travel products. Using old seats, seat belts, seat covers and screens, the students were able to design a number of upcycled travel accessories, including slippers, travel bags, pillows and more.
The top eight designs have already been chosen and will be placed on display at the Bijenkorf department store in Amsterdam. There is also a chance that the winning designs may even be sold by the airline in the near future.
Upcycled Travel Products
The 'Plane to Product' Project Turns Old Plane Pieces into New Objects
Trend Themes
1. Upcycled Travel Products - Creating new travel products from old airplane pieces provides disruptive innovation opportunities for sustainable design and upcycling initiatives.
2. Circular Economy - Implementing circular economy initiatives can optimize resource usage by leveraging the value of waste materials to produce new products and services.
3. Sustainable Manufacturing - Adopting sustainable manufacturing practices and using eco-friendly materials can create disruptive innovation opportunities for brands that emphasize the environment and responsibility.
Industry Implications
1. Travel and Tourism - The travel and tourism industry can use upcycled travel products to differentiate themselves and appeal to eco-minded consumers, while reducing their environmental impact.
2. Retail and Consumer Goods - Retail and consumer goods companies can adopt circular economy principles to increase revenue streams, reduce costs and improve brand reputation.
3. Aviation - Repurposing airplane parts to create new products provides opportunities for airlines to incorporate sustainable design principles into their services and differentiate themselves from competitors.