After the conclusion of the 8th China-South Asia Exposition and the 28th China Kunming Import and Export Fair in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Chen Tao promptly returned to her village in the province’s Pu’er city.

“Within just three hours of opening our exhibition booth at the expo, we sold 11 scarves and eight aprons. Within three days of the expo’s opening, we received orders worth 160,000 yuan (approximately $22,170),” said Chen, who serves as the first secretary of Banmu village in Ximeng Wa Autonomous County, Pu’er city.

Even before the delegation returned to the village, local villagers had already begun working to meet the orders.

Upon returning from the expo, the work team spearheaded the establishment of the county’s first Wa brocade cooperative and registered a trademark for it.

After conducting surveys and market research, the work team discovered that developing new products tailored to the preferences of urban consumers was a key factor in promoting the popularity of traditional Wa brocade.

The team reached out to a tie manufacturer in east China’s Zhejiang Province for a partnership in the design and production of ties. Simultaneously, it also established contact with a domestic clothing manufacturer to build a partnership in the design and production of women’s business attire.

In March 2024, Chen participated in the Yarn Expo in Shanghai with the aim of addressing yarn-related challenges.

“While attending the expo, I came across two manufacturers that were able to produce yarn from used coffee grounds. This inspired me to explore the possibility of using coffee grounds to create yarn for Wa brocade,” Chen explained.

Given that the coffee cultivation area in Yunnan accounts for more than 98 percent of the total nationwide, it can serve as a reliable source of raw material for yarn production.

Upon learning about the demand for used coffee grounds, the Yunnan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs quickly matched two yarn production companies with coffee enterprises in Yunnan that could supply the needed coffee grounds, solving the raw material issue for coffee yarn production.

In mid-June, the first batch of yarn made from coffee grounds produced in Yunnan arrived in Ximeng Wa Autonomous County, marking the first use of coffee yarn in the crafting of Wa brocade.

“Our exhibition booth at this year’s expo showcased the production process of Wa brocade, as well as yarn made from coffee grounds, brocade products crafted using yarn made from coffee grounds, and other handicrafts,” said Chen.

The booth, themed “Wearing Coffee,” captured the interest of numerous exhibitors and tourists.

“Transforming coffee grounds into yarn not only effectively reduces coffee waste pollution but also allows for resource reuse. This coffee yarn possesses remarkable qualities such as moisture absorption, moisture-wicking, antibacterial property, breathability, warmth, and is even lightweight. It has extensive applications in clothing, shoes, bedding, pillows, and more,” Chen said.