Design of decorative wall products from algae in shrimp farms

Abstract

This research aimed to study the characteristics and properties of algae found in shrimp farms for the development of decorative wall products, applying the concept of the creative economy to add value to underutilized natural resources. The research methodology comprised the analysis of algae characteristics, bleaching experiments, transformation processes via traditional papermaking and hot-press molding, and finally, the design and prototyping of decorative wall panels. The findings revealed that “Sa-lai Phom Nang” (a local name for a type of green filamentous algae) possessed the highest potential for transformation due to its abundant fibrous content, strong self-binding capability, and adaptability to both papermaking and molded sheet production. In the papermaking process, the best mix of sodium hypochlorite and water was found to be 25:75, and the bleaching should last for 15 to 20 hours to keep the fibers white. Boiling enhanced fiber separation, producing stronger paper, while CMC pulping and mechanical blending improved fiber dispersion, yielding smooth, consistent paper textures. Pre-bleached algae fibers were also found to be more receptive to dyeing. In the hot-press molding process, the ideal condition for producing 15 mm thick sheets was 1 kg of dried algae mixed with 0.08 parts of binder, pressed at 120°C for 5 minutes, which produced strong and durable panels. These materials were successfully applied in the design of modular wall panels that meet both functional and aesthetic demands, representing an environmentally conscious approach to product design.