Dr Usa Prachakul

Lecturer, Researcher & Founder, Nakhon Phanom University & MUW.OFFICIAL

Industry : Lifestyle

Durian peel may seem an unlikely starting point for fashion. For Dr Usa Prachakul, however, agricultural waste represents both a research challenge and a valuable resource. As a lecturer and researcher at Nakhon Phanom University and founder of MUW.OFFICIAL, she has developed a process that transforms discarded durian peels into textile fibres that can be blended with Thai silk, creating sustainable and functional textile products, including textiles with antibacterial properties.

Her work brings together scientific research, traditional craftsmanship and design-led innovation. Through material experimentation, textile development and collaboration with local communities and production partners, Usa explores how agricultural waste can become higher-value materials while creating opportunities for sustainable production, local craftsmanship and economic development.

Her approach reflects circular-economy principles, combining local knowledge, existing resources and contemporary technology to connect research with design and practical applications.

Her durian-peel innovation has received national and international recognition, including a Gold Medal and Outstanding Award at Thailand Research Expo 2024, an Excellence Award at The 24th International FABI Fashion Exhibition 2024 in South Korea, and three awards at The 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in 2026: a Gold Medal, a Special Award from the President of the Taiwan Invention Association and an Honorable Mention Award from the National Research Council of Thailand.