Ace & Tate
A conversation with Plasticiet
Date: 09.07.2026
Recycled materials create new possibilities. Plasticiet's work proves just how far they can go.
Created in collaboration with Ace & Tate, this retail installation transforms Mother of Pearl. Plasticiet's signature material made from recycled polycarbonate, into a series of sculptural display pieces. More than a shop fit-out, the project demonstrates how circular materials can perform beautifully within premium retail environments.
Rather than making sustainability the headline, the design lets the material speak through colour, form and craftsmanship.
Every sheet starts by hand
How do you balance consistency with flexibility?
Every sheet is individually pigmented by hand, allowing us to develop bespoke colours for each project. Because the Ace & Tate installation required only a small number of sheets, those subtle variations become part of the material's character rather than something to eliminate.
"Because every sheet is handmade, we can adapt colours surprisingly quickly. For projects like this, that flexibility becomes a real advantage."
Design through collaboration
What role do collaborations play in developing the material?
Collaborations are where the material evolves the most. Projects like Ace & Tate challenge us to think differently while showing designers what's possible with recycled plastic.
"These collaborations become our business cards. They show people what the material can become."
Balancing function and form
How do you balance sculpture with practicality?
Retail furniture has to perform, but it also has to feel effortless.
Rather than relying on standard dimensions, we designed each display around the footprint of an open pair of glasses. That gave every piece a lighter, more considered proportion while still working perfectly in use.
For Plasticiet, the success of the project isn't measured by the recycled content alone. People notice the objects before they ask what they're made from. That's exactly the point. When great design comes first, the conversation around sustainability becomes far more powerful.
"When people see the finished pieces, they don't immediately realise they're made from recycled plastic. That's when you know it's working."
Looking ahead
Each collaboration pushes Plasticiet's material and design language further, informing future work across furniture, interiors and retail.
The Ace & Tate project reinforces a simple idea: recycled materials don't need to look recycled. They simply need to be beautifully designed.
