Together with Tim Jongerius, Studio Nienke Hoogvliet has partnered with Releaf, the innovative brand from Avantium, to showcase the beauty and versatility of their fully bio-based plastic. As designers, they aim to contribute to a world that balances human needs with nature—where fewer of nature’s precious resources are used, less pollution is generated, and nothing goes to waste. Replacing conventional plastic with a bio-based material like Releaf is a significant step toward this future.
For Dutch Design Week, Hoogvliet and Jongerius designed an installation highlighting the urgent need for alternatives to conventional plastics while celebrating Releaf’s innovation and its role in the evolution of plastic. Releaf, Avantium’s plant-based PEF (polyethylene furanoate), is set to revolutionize the plastics industry. This fully recyclable, 100% plant-based material can be produced from both first-generation feedstocks like corn and wheat-derived high-fructose syrup, as well as second-generation agricultural waste. It offers a sustainable solution for bottles, packaging, and textiles.
Hoogvliet and Jongerius also created a mini collection of furniture that explores different textures and applications of Releaf. The material’s diverse industrial uses—including foils, sheets, yarn, flakes, and granulate—inspired the designers to experiment with various techniques, such as heating, 3D printing, and needle punching. These methods showcase not only the aesthetic potential of Releaf but also its versatility and artistic applications.
