The new eco-workshop Ostriv_Lab / Materials has started operating at KNUBA

A new workshop, Ostriv_Lab / Materials, has been established at the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. It will serve as an experimental space specializing in eco-friendly materials and recycling technologies. The initiative is implemented as part of the Plastic Fantastic Lab project.  The workshop will become a platform for innovative research and development in the field of eco-friendly materials, which is extremely relevant for sustainable development and the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

The workshop's main areas of work are recycling plastic and 3D-printing waste, large-format 3D printing with recycled plastic, growing biodegradable materials, in particular mycelium, and researching hemp shives (waste from hemp production) and other biomaterials.

The launch of the workshop began with a meeting of key stakeholders: the leadership of KNUBA and the team of the “Ostriv” platform, the team of the “Peremoha” Startup Center, which operates at the Chernihiv Polytechnic National University, and representatives of the German-Ukrainian organization HOPE HOME Nadiia. During the meeting, they discussed the workshop's development strategy, the integration of research into the educational process, and formats for involving students and faculty.

Background. The “Plastic Fantastic LAB” project is implemented by the NGO “Eco City” (Eko Misto) and the NGO “Scientific and Artistic Platform ‘Ostriv’” with the support of the “Makers Innovation Award.”

The “Makers Innovation Award” is organized by betterplace lab gGmbH and Future Challenges e.V. under TOLOCAR, a project component of “Good Governance through GovTech and Transparency in Ukraine,” which is funded by the German Federal Government and implemented by GIZ in close cooperation with Ukrainian and international partners.