Abstract
This research investigates the potential of poultry litter ash as an alternative material within the field of decorative product design. Applying the Material-Driven Design (MDD) methodology, exploratory experiments were conducted under controlled conditions, using defined proportions and systematic documentation to analyze emergent properties such as texture, porosity, adhesion, setting behavior, and visual response. The tests included mixtures with both inorganic and natural binders, with the white cement and poultry litter ash blend in a 1:1 ratio showing favorable results in terms of workability, cohesion, and aesthetic finish. The findings reveal both opportunities and limitations for its application in non-structural decorative contexts. Rather than offering a definitive solution, this study represents an initial exploration aimed at understanding the interaction between agro-industrial residues and design processes. It contributes a critical and transitional perspective toward circular economy practices by emphasizing the material’s value as a driver of experimentation and reflection in contemporary design.
References
Acar, İ. (2023). Utilization potential of poultry litter ash as phosphorus-based fertilizer. Environmental Research and Technology, 6(2), 102-107. https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1243895
Bak-Andersen, M. (2018). Quan la matèria duu a la forma: el disseny guiat pel material (MDD, Material Driven Design) i la sostenibilitat. Temes de Disseny, 34, 10-31.
Bakir, H. y Aral, N. (2025). Sustainable development in the context of circular economy. Journal of Environmental Management, 394, 127366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127366
Castillo, D., Cruz, J. C., Trejo-Arroyo, D. L., Muzquiz, E. M., Zarhri, Z., Gurrola, M. P. y Vega-Azamar, R. E. (2022). Characterization of poultry litter ashes as a supplementary cementitious material. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 17, e01278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01278
Codling, E. E., Chaney, R. L. y Sherwell, J. (2002). Poultry Litter Ash as a Potential Phosphorus Source for Agricultural Crops. Journal of Environmental Quality, 31(3), 954-961. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2002.0954
Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2025, 7 de agosto). Circular business models: Rethinking how value is created. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/articles/circular-business-models-rethinking-how-value-is-created
Fahimi, A., Bilo, F., Assi, A., Dalipi, R., Federici, S., Guedes, A., Valentim, B., Olgun, H., Ye, G., Bialecka, B., Fiameni, L., Borgese, L., Cathelineau, M., Boiron, M.-C., Predeanu, G. y Bontempi, E. (2020). Poultry litter ash characterisation and recovery. Waste Management, 111, 10–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2020.05.010
Intendencia Económica de la Superintendencia de Competencia. (2022). Estudio sobre las condiciones de competencia en la producción y distribución de huevos y carne de pollo en El Salvador. Superintendencia de Competencia. https://www.sc.gob.sv/wp-content/uploads/estudios_IE/estudios_PDF/Estudio_Huevos_CarnePollo_2022.pdf
Karana, E., Barati, B., Rognoli, V. y van der Laan, A. Z. (2015). Material Driven Design (MDD): A Method to Design for Material Experiences. International Journal of Design, 9(2), 35-54. https://www.ijdesign.org/index.php/IJDesign/article/view/1965
Khankhaje, E., Jang, H., Kim, J. y Rafieizonooz, M. (2025). Utilizing rice husk ash as cement replacement in pervious concrete: A review. Developments in the Built Environment, 22, 100675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2025.100675
Liew, K., Tan, Y., Albert, C. M., Raman, V. y Boyou, M. (2022, 27 de mayo). Potential of Using Natural and Synthetic Binder in Wood Composites. Forests, 13(6), 844. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13060844
Parisi, S., Rognoli, V. y Ayala García, C. (27-30 de septiembre de 2016). Designing materials experiences through passing of time: Material-driven design method applied to mycelium-based composites. Celebration & Contemplation, 10th International Design Conference on Design & Emotion, Amsterdam, Países Bajos. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303550650_Designing_Materials_Experiences_through_Passing_of_Time_MaterialDriven_Design_Method_applied_to_Mycelium-based_Composites
The Circularity Gap Report 2021. (2021). Circle Economy. https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021
Villeda, J. (2022, 8 de septiembre). Más de 600 granjas avícolas operan en El Salvador, un 64 % producen huevos. El Mundo. https://diario.elmundo.sv/economia/mas-de-600-granjas-avicolas-operan-en-el-salvador-un-64-producen-huevos
Xie, L., Deng, M., Tang, J. y Liu, K. (2021). Hydration and Strength Development of Cementitious Materials Prepared with Phosphorous-Bearing Clinkers. Materials, 14(3), 508. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14030508

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jazmín Stephannie Velásquez Clemente, David Ernesto Guevara Salazar

