Ohmie, The Orange Lamp™ by Krill Design

In the last two years, one of the most central themes in the design sector has been the Circular Economy. The world of design, which has always been responsive to external stimuli, is working hard to find sustainable solutions that can make a real difference. In recent months, we have covered many material experiments and research projects, but today, we are presenting a finished product—an example of a Circular Economy paradigm that combines design and sustainability within a fully Made in Italy supply chain.

After years of research into new biomaterials, the Milan-based start-up Krill Design has created Ohmie, The Orange Lamp™, by transforming Sicilian orange peels into a 100% natural and compostable lamp. Krill Design specializes in developing organic materials as valuable resources, offering new material experiences and expanding the potential of circular design. Its clients include Enel, Autogrill, and San Pellegrino, who rely on the start-up for both its innovation and expertise in sustainable design.

Each lamp is made from the discarded peels of two to three oranges, sourced from a family-owned food producer in the Messina province of Sicily. Ohmie addresses the problem of natural resource over-exploitation by transforming organic waste into a valuable material. Sicily produces about 3% of the world’s oranges, ensuring a steady supply of raw material for production.

From a design perspective, the 23-centimeter-tall lamp reflects its origins through its textured surface, citrus scent, and vibrant color. The product is 3D-printed to eliminate waste during production. Once the peels arrive in Milan, they are dried and ground into a fine, uniform powder. This powder is then sent to a compounding facility, where it is combined with a biopolymeric vegetable starch base to create an orange biopolymer in pellet form.

This pellet production stage is the only outsourced part of the process, as it requires large and expensive machinery. After use, the Ohmie lamp can be broken down by hand into smaller pieces before being disposed of with household organic waste. Currently, the remains must be sent to a composting facility rather than decomposing directly in nature. This decision was made to ensure optimal material performance and durability, but Krill Design is actively researching a biopolymer that is both durable and fully compostable in home or natural environments.

Ohmie, The Orange Lamp™ demonstrates how food waste can be successfully transformed into an eco-design product that is both beautiful and functional.

To find out more, visit Krill Design and follow them on Instagram!