About Plasticiet
Founded by Marten and Joost, Plasticiet began as a research into the potential of plastic waste and the desire to be part of the solution to plastic pollution. Plastic recycling often lacks both the infrastructure and the aesthetic quality to make it truly sustainable. Living in a world that’s defined by overproduction and waste we seek a sense of permanence in our recycled panels and objects.
We believe that in order for sustainability to exist, the end product must also be desirable. Good products must be produced responsibly and every design should respect the resources it originated from. Our goal has always been to make recycling beautiful and scalable, not just symbolic. We want to prove that recycled materials can endure and stand out next to high-end virgin materials.
Our practice began with simple experiments. The spirit of curiosity and tangible results are at the centre and drive everything we do. Over the years we’ve evolved from melting plastic on Joost’s balcony to a refined production process through close collaboration and hands-on trials. We’re continuously evolving.
Precision, craft and innovation is at our core. Each material and object is made by hand and manufactured to order in our workshop in Delft. This allows us to maintain a flexible working method and to take on a variety of bespoke orders and to minimize unnecessary stock.
We design and manufacture refined recycled plastic solid surface materials designed for makers. Each sheet is easy to shape, join, and finish using standard tools. This enables designers and makers to realise enduring and high quality projects. Our materials can be adapted to fit your unique project. Plasticiet is tangible, designed to be worked with. This allows you to become part of the sustainable journey.
Using our own material, we offer bespoke commissions ranging from single collectible private pieces to series of retail display units. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in art and design production we’re not afraid to take on a challenge. We guide your project from concept phase through production.
Our history
plasticiet 1, the balcony, 2016
We started experimenting with plastic household waste early on during our studies at Willem de Kooning Academy. In this time the concept of Plasticiet was formed, together with two other students: Anne-Marije Manting and Yvette de Wit. We made a first proof of concept, which was nothing more than a tiny gas powered melting pot that contained things like empty shampoo bottles and food packaging. The result felt like we were alchemists conjuring a bar of gold out of thin air and turned to be the humble beginning of an unforeseen career.
plasticiet 2, basement, 2017
Through Stad in de Maak we were able to get a temporary space and went from balcony to basement, in the middle of a residential neighbourhood. A volunteer collected household waste from local residents that we could use for our material experiments. We designed and built a larger version of the gas powered stove and were now able to produce tiles of 30x30cm, further proving the concept of recycling local waste into useful semi-finished products. Since we’d need proper ventilation we were able to acquire active coal filters from a busted cannabis plantation.
plasticiet 3, oil storage, 2017 - 2019
Not long after graduation, we were the only two of the original four left. After many discussions whether to continue or not we decided to put a halt to Plasticiet. Literally the next day, we were connected by Dutch warehouse De Bijenkorf, who invited us over to talk about a project. “If we don’t take this opportunity, we’re just a bunch of molecules floating around the universe with no purpose.”, Marten said to Joost. We went to the appointment and bluffed ourselves through the conversation. In the end the job didn’t land. We felt however that if a company like De Bijenkorf was interested, we could make this work. We decided to rent a studio, an old 30m2 oil storage space, in Steur, Home Of The Unlikely and continued experimenting. We got our hands on a pizza oven and managed to create 80x80cm sheets. We were ready and able to take on our first production jobs.
plasticiet 4, containers, 2019 - 2022
A year prior, an architect called Claudio Saccucci had a proposition to have us design and build the entrance desk at the Interieur biënnale Kortrijk which resulted in a publication on Dezeen. We were suddenly getting international acclaim and not soon after we outgrew our workshop, but studio space in the vicinity was scarce. We decided to go all out and build our new workshop entirely from shipping containers, in total 90m2. It was an immense endeavor, but we were doing it our way. We had the freedom to experiment and grow step by step.
plasticiet 5, glasfabriek, 2022 - 2025
more information coming
plasticiet 6, delft, 2025 - present
more information coming