Releaf PEF experiments for the Avantium and Studio Hoogvliet Jongerius project. Courtesy of DDW.
At this year’s Dutch Design Week, Avantium and Studio Hoogvliet Jongerius presented a unique project that explores the aesthetic and practical applications of PEF (Polyethylene Furanoate). Their collaboration highlights Avantium’s plant-based PEF, branded as “Releaf,” and demonstrates how this sustainable material can reshape creative industries.
You can also read: Plastics in Industrial Design: A Catalyst for Change
Avantium developed Releaf PEF from renewable sources like plants, agricultural residues, and forestry or textile waste. This fully circular bioplastic offers a sustainable alternative to fossil-based material. It comes in multiple forms, such as foil, sheets, yarns, flakes, and granules. Moreover, manufacturers can process it using various techniques, including 3D printing, heating, and needle punching. This opens new doors for innovative applications in both design and art.
Some pieces from the mini furniture collection crafted with Releaf. Courtesy of Studio Hoogvliet Jongerius.
Releaf not only replaces conventional oil-based plastics but also excels in applications that go beyond traditional technical fields. It finds a natural fit in artistic spaces, where its functionality and aesthetic appeal can shine. This project showcases how PEF (Polyethylene Furanoate) can expand the possibilities of sustainable design by blending purpose and beauty.
To highlight PEF’s versatility, the team crafted a mini furniture collection featuring a cabinet, bench, side table, lamp, vase, and bowls. Each piece showcases unique textures and forms, emphasizing the material’s adaptability and beauty.
You can also read: Design Meets Engineering: The Creation of a Superchair
This collaboration represents a major step in positioning bioplastics within creative industries. Releaf PEF, known for its technical strengths, now reveals its potential as an artistic medium that redefines sustainable design. By connecting technical and artistic spaces, this project shows how bioplastics like Releaf can unify functionality, beauty, and ecological responsibility.
Attendees at Dutch Design Week responded enthusiastically, recognizing how sustainable materials like PEF can reshape modern design.
As concerns over environmental and health risks grow, the aviation industry is taking crucial steps.…
New findings reveal microplastics in brain tissue, raising concerns about links to cognitive decline. Microplastic…
The world is bracing to adapt as the new administration reveals its hand. Changes in…
ANTEC® 2025 brings together scientists, engineers, and industry leaders to shape the future of plastics…
The past year marked significant growth for Bcomp, a leader in flax-based bio-composites, with achievements…
The global composites market is experiencing steady and significant growth. Market analysts expect that it…