A YEAR after it launched the Material Research and Development project, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) is now ready to open a materials library that will serve as a storehouse of material swatches that can be used by Cebuano export companies.

To be opened by the end of this month, the Materials Library will also showcase traditional and non-traditional materials that can be used by manufacturers of export furniture, fashion accessories, gifts, toys and house ware.

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The materials research and development project was initiated by ECCP to help Cebuano exporters improve on product development in response to a demand for more innovative products from the European market.

The Department of Science and Technology was also tapped by ECCP to assist the companies in material research.

Under the library, the materials are classified into three categories, said Materials Research and Development program manager Ingrid Haufe in a press conference last week.

The first category would include indigenous materials that are readily available in the country.

“These are the ones that we have an existing supply of and which companies use to manufacture the products,” she said.

The next category would include non-traditional materials but are locally available in the Philippines, while the last classification includes “innovative” materials that are available in other countries.

“These materials are included to serve as an inspiration for designers,” Haufe said.

Most of the materials will be environment-friendly, she stressed.

The library will also display products made by the 16 companies that have participated in the Materials Research and Development project. These products are made from a mix of traditional and non-traditional materials like glass, steel and enamel.

Among the products featured were a bowl set by Arden Classics Inc. that is made from bone slices and cast metal components and lamps made from leftover pieces of Al tube, coco shell, bamboo and acrylic paint by Pacific Traders and Manufacturing Corp. The same products were also featured during the Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X).

After seeing the Materials Research and Development products during the Cebu X, Haufe said over 40 companies have expressed interest in participating in the program.

The materials library will be housed at the building of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. in Mandaue City.

Aside from industry players, the library will also be open to the academe.