Plasticiet

Plasticiet set out to change the way we view plastic. Rather than a waste material, plastic should be viewed as the new gold and treated as a highly valued resource – never cast aside. Made in the Netherlands, Plasticiet shift perceptions of plastic from waste into a beautiful, precious resource. 

Created with reuse and repurpose in mind, all of the materials use plastic for its incredible longevity to make high-end fully recycled surfaces for design. Inspired by the beauty of natural stone, each surface uses a singular waste plastic like polystyrene or polycarbonate – recycled into beautiful surface materials that reduces plastic waste and can be made new again and again. With the ability to process large volumes of plastic often unwanted or contaminated and destined for landfill or incineration, Plasticiet capture and transform waste into a material for furniture, fixtures, architecture and design.

Taking plastics from local post-industrial or post-consumer waste sources and sorting them by type, rather than colour, makes the production more efficient. What would be waste plastic is shredded or flaked into recycled pellets or chips that Melters fuse together. The way the pellets are dispersed and the melting temperature create unique, organic patterns inspired by the beauty of natural stone. Each type of plastic has its own fluidity, and some sources are contaminated which allows for experimentation in the testing and development stages. Each material inherits the unique characteristics of the recycled plastics used to make the panel.

As they're all plastic, Plasticiet materials are hardwearing, soft to touch and hygienic. The matte finish comes with rich, deep colours that have a look similar to marbled stone, recycled glass, terrazzo or art – and can even be customised with a modern Memphis or mother of pearl look that lasts.

Plasticiet set out to disrupt the waste stream – collecting recycled plastic from different sources as supplies ebb and flow. This means the aesthetics evolve over time, changing the base tone or pattern which can get more blurred or a sharper pixelated look. Developed over years by artisan designers and skilled craftsmen, Plasticiet are driven by sustainability, collaboration and materials with provenance. Each iteration tells its own unique story, formed of reclaimed waste with inherent value, to bring us into a post-waste world.

Mother of Pearl sees an experimentation set into reality. Skillfully stretched plastic made from industrial waste Polycarbonate is twisted and pulled into a shimmery, smooth and hardwearing finish. Stretched like taffy, the robust surface incorporates tiny air bubbles to lend an iridescence, strength and resiliance like natural Mother of Pearl. The material is available in silver, graphite and bespoke tinted 1000 x 500mm panels, as well as fully formed objects. 

Karlite is born from meticulously sourced discarded headlights, by using only the finest mineral pigments the silky translucency and warm colours lend a natural feel. Transformed from old car lights, the circular surfaces are aptly named after the mineral material, Karlite. Robust polycarbonate is carefully crafted and handfinished for an inherently stable and fully recycled surface as wall panels, furniture, backlit displays and signage in hospitality, residential, retail or office interiors.

Most of the original materials from Plasticiet started off made of hardy Polystyrene from old, discarded refrigerators, with Ivory and its dappled white and grey appearance hinted with subtle neutral colours. Rhinestone wears its history proudly, showing off large terrazzo chips of household waste from the urban mines of Belgium. Bold splashes of colour are formed out of everything from old milk crates to wall plugs or tooth brushes, and every panel tells a unique story. Chocolate Factory, aptly named from old chocolate moulds is a multi-colour polycarbonate panel dappled with  a rainbow of pastels in cream, white, turquoise, purple, blue, orange and green.

The dense, hardwearing surfaces challenge the status quo, developing new techniques to create sustainably-driven materials for use in architecture and design. Inspired by nature the quality materials have been developed for years in collaboration with architects, designers and brands - used as ceiling panels, wall cladding, tiles, doors, signage, chopping boards, knife handles, jewellery, bespoke retail fit outs, museum displays, furniture, table tops and work surfaces. 

Produced in 1000 x 1000mm with larger panels in development, the thickness is typically 10mm in the classics and Mother of Pearl and 19mm for Karlite. Plasticiet designer plastic can be plastic welded, curved and thermoformed to very tight radius, cut, routed or laser etched and is fabricated with woodworking tools.

Surface Matter partner with Plasticiet to help bring the circular materials for design to the UK, with sheets available from stock at our warehouse in Rye.