Embracing Circular Bioeconomy with Nature as our Partner

The crQlr Awards (“Circular” Awards) is a global award that recognises projects and ideas that design circular economies. Established in 2021 as Japan’s first award in the circular design field, it has since become a key platform for players aiming to create sustainable economies and societies. In its fourth edition in 2024, the awards attracted approximately 140 projects from around the world, with 29 winners and three receiving Special Prize awards.

The theme of the 2024 Special Prize is “Towards a Circular Bioeconomy”, which focuses on creating regenerative cycles within natural systems by leveraging biological processes. Through interviews with award judges and introductions to winning projects, we will explore the current state and potential of circular bioeconomy in a four-part series.

In the first part, we interviewed Kalaya Kovidvisith, a co-founder of FabCafe Bangkok, who, as the Special Prize Judge for this year’s crQlr Awards, developed the concept behind the Special Prize theme.

Kovidvisith is a researcher who explores business model opportunities driven by digital fabrication and biotechnology. She shared her insights on the circular bioeconomy and its potential. We also included insights from Kelsie Stewart, the CCO of FabCafe and the Chairman of the crQlr Awards, to further explore these ideas.

Profile: Kalaya Kovidvisith

Kalaya Kovidvisith is a co-founder of FabCafe Bangkok and the Managing Director of FABLAB Thailand. She holds a Master’s degree in Design and Computation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her research focuses on how digital fabrication and biotechnology can transform industrial relationships and create innovative business models for the next generation. She has participated in notable events such as the Global Entrepreneur Summit (2015) and Asia Pacific Weeks Berlin (2016).

Profile: Kelsie Stewart

Kelsie Stewart is the Chairman of the crQlr Awards and the Sustainability Executive at Loftwork. She joined Loftwork and FabCafe in 2017 and now serves as the Chief Community Officer of FabCafe, leading the FabCafe Global Network. Her role involves fostering local creative communities at FabCafe locations worldwide and connecting them to the global network. Additionally, she organises the Global Goals Jam (GGJ) in Tokyo, a two-day design sprint focused on finding short-term solutions to sustainable development goals. She has also planned and executed this event in cities such as Tokyo, Bangkok, and Hong Kong.

Circular Bioeconomy: A circular economy that treats nature as a “Partner”

The circular bioeconomy is a concept that combines “bioeconomy”, which is based on using biotechnology to leverage the abilities and functions of living organisms, with “circular economy”, which has been gaining global momentum as a response to the growing awareness of the climate crisis.

The two concepts are naturally compatible. The former focuses on enriching human life by utilising biological materials and organisms, while the latter reduces waste, inevitably focusing on similar materials in the process. This inherent synergy has been emphasised in the Bioeconomy Strategies developed by the EU and Japan, highlighting the importance of advancing both simultaneously.

So, is the circular bioeconomy merely one category within the broader framework of the circular economy? Kovidvisith has a different perspective. She critiques the existing circular economy models as being “highly human-centric.”

Kovidvisith: “In discussions around the circular economy, the focus has largely been on optimising a cycle that includes resource supply, material processing, product and service delivery, and eventual disposal and reuse. These are from the perspective of human economic activity. However, this approach is ultimately confined to systems designed by humans and fails to account for the larger system of nature.”

Topics like recycling, reuse, and extending product lifespans are often highlighted when speaking about the circular economy. However, these efforts are merely optimisations within the framework of human economic activity and do not address the root causes of environmental challenges.

Kovidvisith argues that we must embrace a wider perspective: to understand how the larger system of nature functions and incorporates those principles into design. Since human systems are nested within the much larger system of nature, it is impossible to sustain self-centered systems that fail to harmonise with nature.

Kovidvisith: “Nature itself is a resource network that completes all processes independently. When materials decompose, they circulate back into nature and regenerate. In other words, nature is an automatic, self-sustaining system.”

Kovidvisith believes that the circular bioeconomy is about integrating this natural circularity into the ways we work and striving for harmony with nature’s systems. By doing so, not only can we reduce pollution and minimise environmental harm, but we can also avoid the need to build new factories or seek complex solutions to problems created by human systems.

Kovidvisith: “To achieve this, we must view nature as a ‘partner,’ not just a resource, and consistently position nature, not humans, as the central figure in our systems.”

Biotechnology advancements helping humans “understand nature more deeply”

When we talk about harmonising with nature’s systems, one might think of reverting to a simpler, more primitive way of life, like our ancestors who lived with minimal environmental impact. In Thailand, for example, traditional self-sufficient lifestyles, where food and fabrics are produced locally, are often highlighted in sustainability discussions. Among some younger generations, there is even a growing movement to return to such lifestyles.

However, Kovidvisith points out, “In reality, not everyone can live that way.” This is why we need to develop new solutions that align with modern lifestyles while still achieving harmony with nature.

The key to this lies in biotechnology, which has advanced significantly over the past few decades. Starting with the emergence of genetic engineering in the 1970s, the field has evolved rapidly, with gene-editing technologies emerging in the 2010s. Innovations such as synthetic biology (designing artificial organisms and genes not found in nature) have led to breakthroughs like using microbes to produce food and medicine, technologies to protect and restore the environment, and more. These advancements are now being applied across a wide range of fields, including healthcare, agriculture, environmental science, and energy.

Kovidvisith, who is herself fascinated by the potential of biotechnology, explains.

Kovidvisith: “These cutting-edge technologies are enabling humans to understand nature and living organisms on a much deeper level.

“I believe we haven’t paid much attention to nature in the past, likely because we lacked the knowledge and tools to truly understand it. However, with the advancements in technology today, we now have the opportunity to learn from nature and apply its principles to industries. I find the endeavours of scientists to understand processes like synthesis and decomposition in the natural world to be truly remarkable.”

“What if the concept of wires and electricity didn’t exist?” Questioning fundamental systems leads to new solutions

How can we use such technologies to maintain human life while harmonising with nature’s systems? Stewart emphasises the need to rethink the infrastructure that underpins modern life, such as electricity and energy, by introducing new solutions powered by biotechnology. At crQlr Awards 2024, projects with the potential to achieve this were recognised with Special Prize awards.

One example is “BIO-MOON LAB“, which explores the potential of using bioluminescent bacteria as a source of lighting through contemporary art. This project utilizes bioluminescent life, such as the Marine bacteria V.Fisheri, that glow without relying on external energy. The project asks the question: can we replace current lighting infrastructure that depends on fossil fuels with living light first in art and then beyond?

Another example is the “‘Return to the soil’ circular sensor” developed by a research group at Osaka University. This biodegradable sensor, made from cellulose nanofibre, offers a sustainable alternative to conventional sensors widely used for collecting environmental data from soil. By replacing these devices with regenerative options, the project has the potential to significantly reduce future environmental impacts.

Stewart: “The data collected from the ‘Circular Sensor Device,’ which reflects the health of ecosystems, is scalable and useful for various research fields. For businesses, this could enable tracking a wider range of KPIs beyond just carbon dioxide reduction. At that stage, while the sensors may be small, their impact on ecosystems could be both scalable and profound.”

Kovidvisith emphasises that creating such innovative solutions requires questioning existing methods and systems and rethinking them from a new perspective.

Kovidvisith: “What if the very concept of wires and electricity didn’t exist? How would you replace them? This was a question posed by one of my professors during a project at MIT where we were tasked with rethinking construction methods.

“We approached this question by focusing on rethinking building paint. Conventional building paint poses several issues. It’s costly, needs frequent reapplication, and the paint itself can be harmful to the environment and human health. Using Structural Color, we discovered a way to make colour without relying on pigments. This allows colours to last for long periods without the need for repainting.

“This illustrates the importance of challenging traditional methods and leveraging new technologies, materials, and systems to replace them. While we often default to following past practices, with the technological advancements we have today, there’s no need to cling to outdated approaches.”

Is nature fragile, and artificial creations eternal? Exploring collaborative solutions that are “GOOD” for both nature and humanity

As lighting, sensors, energy sources, and other essential elements of daily life increasingly shift to bio-based materials and nature-derived solutions, these examples paint a picture of a future that harmonises with and coexists alongside nature.

However, this raises an important question: are these solutions ultimately just ways to “use” living organisms for the sake of maintaining human comfort and convenience? How are they different from the exploitation of nature that humanity has engaged in so far?

Stewart: “This question could also be reframed as, ‘What could be considered as the wrong way to collaborate with nature?’ At its core, it’s an ethical question.

“For example, what are the rights of living creatures? Do bacteria or algae have rights? In the case of BIO-MOON LAB, we might ask, ‘Is it ethically acceptable to rely on the light produced by living organisms, such as bacteria?’ Furthermore, should bacteria be farmed for this purpose, or should we harvest them from their natural environment? What are the accepted practices that should be established for using them in places like schools or homes? These are all critical considerations.

“I don’t claim to have a definitive answer to this question. However, I do believe that it’s essential to find the best possible way to collaborate with nature, a way that ensures mutual benefit for both nature and modern humans, where both parties can achieve ‘GOOD.’”

Stewart: “On the other hand, this is also a practical issue. For example, we are already deeply dependent on plants and other living organisms, and this dependence always carries risks.

“A real-world example is the poultry industry in the United States. The rapid spread of avian flu has led to mass culling of birds and disruptions in the supply chain, significantly impacting farmers and businesses. Despite years of research, scientists have yet to develop a fully effective solution to prevent the spread of infection.

“This crisis highlights the problems of industrial-scale livestock farming, which prioritises efficiency. High-density breeding conditions are believed to accelerate the rapid spread of viruses and may have broader ecological consequences. Could this be considered a ‘wrong way of cooperating with nature,’ where human needs are imposed unilaterally?

“What we must consider here is whether it is truly rational to rely on nature and living organisms to sustain our modern lifestyle.”

Kovidvisith agrees with Stewart, acknowledging that many existing bio-based solutions face challenges in terms of reliability and practicality for real-world applications. However, she raises a deeper question: are our current systems truly stable and rational to begin with?

Kovidvisith: “Take the ‘Grow Your Own Cloud‘ project, for instance. This innovative project converts digital data, such as text and images, into DNA, and stores them within plants. It serves as an alternative to traditional data centers, which generate large amounts of CO2 and electronic waste, with the ultimate goal of using local flower shops, gardens, or forests as data centers.

“When I tell people about this project, their reactions usually fall into two categories, revealing how they perceive nature. The first is a positive reaction, like ‘That’s amazing; I hope it becomes a reality.’ The second is a concern: ‘What if the data gets lost?’

“But when you think about it, even with current data storage methods like solid-state hard drives, there’s always a risk of losing data. Isn’t it curious that we rarely question the reliability of existing systems, yet we readily doubt new methods that utilise nature?”

Stewart: “That’s a very interesting point. When we discuss projects that collaborate with nature, I often hear responses like, ‘But nature will eventually die, won’t it?’ However, in reality, there are plants like pine trees that can live for thousands of years if left uncut. Yet most people think, ‘Trees are fragile and easily die, so relying on nature isn’t practical.’

“We unconsciously believe that objects like our smartphones are permanent, but in truth, none of these things are everlasting, nor are they renewable like nature. And yet, we place so much value on these items. We trust in the longevity of solid-state hard drives but not in the durability of trees.

“Perhaps, once we let go of these subconscious biases, new possibilities for collaboration with nature could emerge.”

Nature as the greatest teacher and a partner for the future: Building a world where future generations thrive

Nature has existed much longer than humanity and has proven in many cases to be vastly superior to human inventions and technologies. However, living in systems designed by humans, which often appear rational on the surface, we tend to forget this truth. That’s why, Kovidvisith emphasises the essence in understanding nature, learning from it, and striving to work in harmony with it.

Kovidvisith: “Nature is the greatest teacher for humanity, as seen in the concept of biomimicry. Over millions of years of evolution, nature has developed highly efficient processes. This is why we need to study biology and climate change more deeply, understand the causal relationships between human activities and nature, and learn how to use nature’s wisdom responsibly.

“To me, the circular economy is like a dialogue between nature and humanity. It serves as a guideline for long-term coexistence. In the past, nature might have been like a kind and patient partner that walked alongside us regardless of what we did. But now, it feels as though nature is angry with us for behaving selfishly and irresponsibly. Isn’t that what we’re seeing in the daily realities of climate change?”

Kovidvisith: “This world doesn’t belong only to me or to those of us who are alive today. That’s why we continue doing this work: to create a better world. I believe this Earth is a magnificent place filled with nature and life. For this reason, I think we must keep seeking ways to live in harmony with nature.”

Editor’s note

As mentioned during the interview, any design created by humans will inevitably carry a human-centric perspective. The question of where collaboration ends and exploitation begins is one we must continue to address with sincerity.

For this reason, it is essential to adopt a humble attitude. Learning from nature, trusting it, and seeking its cooperation with care and respect. If we persist in this approach, we may be able to open the door to a future where humans and nature can work together in a truly harmonious way. And that journey is likely to be an exciting one, filled with awe at nature’s wisdom and opportunities for new discoveries.

Next, we will interview David Benjamin, a pioneering architect using bio-based materials, to explore the practice of circular bioeconomy in the architecture field.

crQlr Awards Exhibition Tokyo – Living Loops

The award-winning project exhibition, ‘crQlr Awards Exhibition Tokyo – Living Loops,’ will be held at FabCafe Tokyo in Shibuya from March 6 to March 26. In addition to the winning projects, the exhibition will showcase the bioeconomy initiatives from ‘crQlr Awards’ since its launch in 2021, along with past winning projects and their outcomes. If you’re in the area, be sure to drop by and see what exciting circular projects there are! A summit “crQlr Summit 2025 Tokyo – Living Loops” will be held on March 8, available in-person and online broadcast.

FabCafe will also host a lecture and exhibition tour “BIO-MOON LAB talk with Laura Benneton x BioClub Tokyo“, offering an in-depth discussion on the award-winning project, BIO-MOON LAB, to develop “Bio-Light” as a sustainable alternative to artificial lighting. This event will be held on March 4.

Article originally published on IDEAS FOR GOOD.