Our Materials | Natural Woven Coffins

Seagrass

As the name implies, seagrass is indeed a grass, and seawater does play a part in the production. Seagrass is grown in paddy fields, at a certain point during the growing season, the fields are flooded with seawater. It is highly renewable and comes from environments where sustainability practices are employed. Once harvested, the seagrass is dried and spun into strong yarns ready for weaving. A misconception that seagrass wicker is taken from the sea isn’t true and potentially damages the livelihoods of seagrass farmers.

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Rattan

Rattan, also called Rotan, is a climbing vine of the Plectocomiopsis genus. These thorny vines can grow up to six meters a year, making it a rapidly renewable material for various uses, including our wicker and cane coffins. Rattan grows throughout the forests of South East Asia. Because the vine clings to existing rainforest trees as it grows, it encourages the natural preservation of the forest and local fauna. Plantation owners actively manage large forest areas to keep renewed growth cycles intact. Rattan can grow in marginal soil and areas where other land products cannot grow.

Willow

Willow is grown as rows of bushes in low-lying and often flooded areas. Willow is harvested in late autumn when the leaves begin to drop. Once harvested, willow will regenerate back to its same height within a year. Willow enjoys rapid growth, is highly renewable, and is the number one reason it’s used as a crop for biomass energy. Once planted, a willow crown will last up to 60 years before needing to be renewed. During this time, only the most basic of maintenance is required.

Bamboo

Part of the grass family Poaceae, this evergreen perennial is abundant throughout Asia. The stems of bamboo have been recorded to grow up to one meter per day, making bamboo among some of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. When managed as part of a farmed forest provides an excellent source of renewable material for countless uses, including our wicker coffins.

Banana Leaf

Banana leaves come from the Musa genus of flowering Banana Plants. These flowering plants grow as tall as trees, it is the rhizome of the plant which produces lush green leaves, which over time become the trunk of the plant. As the newer leaves develop, the older leaves die back. During the monsoon season, the banana plant leaves rapidly multiply, leaving an abundance of older leaves for harvesting. Leaves of the banana plant are the by-product of banana farming and would otherwise be discarded or composted. Instead, banana leaves are often recycled, spread across long wires for drying, tied together and spun into long yarns ready for weaving.