# Pine Needle Bio-Materials The 'Cheer Project' by Gaurav Wali Repurposes Shed Pine Needles By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2019-07-23 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheer-project References: [yankodesign](https://www.yankodesign.com/2019/07/22/an-indian-designer-turned-pine-needles-into-a-bio-composite-raw-material/) & [gauravmkwali](https://www.gauravmkwali.com/) The 'Cheer Project' has been developed by Gaurav Wali as a way to help make use of an unlikely natural material and transform it into a functional bio-composite that has a variety of functionalities. The material consists of pine needles that have been gathered from the forest floor and bound together using [natural binders and waxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/salvage-and-sap) to develop a bio-composite that is suitable for a variety of uses. It can be pressed into sheets or molds to create an array of products that might otherwise be crafted from wood or terra-cotta and is naturally water repellent, recyclable, [fire retardant](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cob-brick) and completely waste-free. The 'Cheer Project' also helps to combat forest fires as pine needles often accelerate their ability to start. The material also enhances a space with a natural pine scent and a raw design aesthetic for discerning consumers to appreciate. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.5/10 - Popularity: 97% | Activity: 90% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Bio-composite Materials:** The Cheer Project repurposes pine needles to create a bio-composite material with various functionalities, opening up opportunities for sustainable and eco-friendly product development. - **Natural Binders and Waxes:** The use of natural binders and waxes in the Cheer Project's bio-composite material presents possibilities for developing innovative and environmentally-friendly alternatives to conventional manufacturing processes. - **Forest Fire Prevention:** The Cheer Project's utilization of pine needles helps combat forest fires by repurposing a potential fire accelerant into a beneficial and practical material, creating potential for disruptive innovations in fire prevention and sustainability. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Construction:** The development of pine needle bio-composite materials offers opportunities for the construction industry to create sustainable and fire-retardant building components with a unique design aesthetic. - **Furniture:** The use of pine needle bio-composite materials in furniture manufacturing can provide eco-friendly alternatives to traditional wood products while adding a natural pine scent and raw design appeal. - **Packaging:** The Cheer Project's bio-composite material made from pine needles has potential applications in packaging, offering a recyclable and waste-free alternative to conventional packaging materials with added water-repellent and fire-retardant properties. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Tree-Based Material Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abney-effect.md) - [Discarded Wood Construction Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woodoo.md) - [Reimagined Structural Timber](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superwood.md) - [Biodegradable Holiday Decor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christmas-decor-collection.md) - [Textured Pine Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crayon-pine.md) - [Waste-Transformed Biomaterials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/by-osmosis.md) - [Tree Sap-Binding Timber Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/salvage-and-sap.md) - [Sustainable Creative Craft Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fyrn-studio-series.md) - [Sustainable Design Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mycoworks-reishi.md)