'Amber Waste is Bliss' collection is a part of the 'Ignorance is Bliss' brand. 'Ignorance is Bliss'

is a continuous design project founded by Agne Kucerenkaite. The research-based project

utilises industrial waste and secondary materials and converts them into the interior and

exterior products of higher value. 'Ignorance is Bliss' is giving a new identity to waste and to

the built environment, with empathy for planetary health.

'Amber Waste is Bliss' biocomposites are a combination of natural amber and other reclaimed

materials. Amber is a fossilised tree resin that originates from extinct conifer trees.

Fossilisation of the resin took millions of years. Worked amber dates back to the Paleolithic

Period and up until now is primarily made into a range of decorative objects and jewellery.

The production is usually done by hand with tools such as saws, fine-toothed files, drills,

diamond disks, and sandpaper. Tonnes of amber dust are gathered after processing and

usually discarded due to sandpaper contamination. Thorough research was conducted in

several directions, in order to find a use for this residue. Today around 90% of the world’s

amber comes from the Baltic region. Amber dust for this project comes particularly from

Lithuania. Amber is a natural resin, which could be considered a nature-made bioplastic. One

approach is making solid bio-composites using the heat press technique. Originally amber is

soft and brittle, therefore other waste materials and by-products are added to the

formulation, altering its properties. Added cork can reduce the brittleness. Homeware items

and a range of surfaces are developed from the amber biocomposite. The second concept is

a new bio leather-like material where heat is used to bind the ingredients. Additional

materials are carefully chosen to be degradable, such as cork by-product. The collection of

bio leather-like material is completely flexible and doesn’t break easily. It is also possible to

further work with it by cutting and sewing. The amount of amber dust in the bio-composites is

above 50%, making it the main ingredient. The collection of solid biocomposites is made of

fully recycled and healthy materials, while bio leather-like material contains recycled

ingredients and natural binders. In addition, the whole collection doesn't contain animal

products and amber dust provides a pleasant pine essential oil smell.

Click here for more information about the work and projects of Agne Kucerenkaite.