Cebu City — The University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu recently launched the MATerial Innovation and eXploration Lab (MATIX Lab) through its Product Design Program.
This introduces a new hub for materials research, sustainable design, and innovation — in line with the university’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and developing high-impact materials for local and global applications.
The lab’s core programs include materials research and development, product development and business incubation, and a digital archiving and cataloging system that provides physical samples alongside an integrated online database with design tools.
“The new facility will soon open to store and organize sustainable materials for development. This innovative MATIX Lab will support research, collaboration, and the advancement of eco-friendly materials for various industries, UP Cebu Design Program Coordinator Jay Nathan Jore said during UP Cebu’s March 21 launch event.
Jore said that MATIX Lab also has a website to offer an accessible platform to showcase its innovative materials development center in Cebu and to provide information on the center’s research, sustainable materials, and collaborative projects.
“The challenge now is to create a curriculum responsive to industry and community needs,” Jore said.
Butch Carungay of Cebu’s UNESCO Creative City of Design described the initiative as a hub for design, innovation, and commercialization.
“It will support sustainable innovation and contribute to the Blue Mango Awards, celebrating excellence in design. The lab aligns with Cebu’s UNESCO City of Design status and the Philippine Creative Industries Act. As a model for national replication, it is expected to foster local, regional, and Filipino solutions with global impact,” Carungay said.
Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Visayas Regional Office Assistant Regional Director Hope Malagar celebrated the launch, which was funded by the Tatak Pinoy program: “With a P1.7-million funding, the Lab has facilitated collaborations, workshops, and research presentations and addressing the challenge of accessing high-quality, sustainable materials to also support MSMEs in Cebu, fostering globally competitive products.”
Malagar added that MATIX Lab can find good use for materials developed in creating more complex and high-value products to further expand Philippine exports and facilitate collaborations within startups and established businesses to create innovative products that are market-ready and globally competitive.