Hoogvliet Jongerius Transforms Releaf PEF into Desirable Design Objects at Milan Design Week 2026
During Milan Design Week 2026, the Dutch design studio Hoogvliet Jongerius, in partnership with Releaf by Avantium and under the curation of Nicole Uniquole, unveiled 'From Plants to Plastic' at Masterly – The Dutch. This installation redirects the dialogue on sustainable plastics from mere technical assertions to cultural appeal, presenting Releaf, Avantium's plant-derived PEF (polyethylene furanoate), as a design element rather than just packaging. Featured items include a cabinet with PEF surfaces, a yarn-wrapped bench, a flake-moulded side table, and stackable bowls. Designers Nienke Hoogvliet and Tim Jongerius examined Releaf's capabilities in heating, 3D printing, and needle punching. PEF's adaptability allows it to transform into various forms, highlighting the importance of design in making sustainable materials culturally accepted and emotionally engaging.
Key facts
- Hoogvliet Jongerius presented 'From Plants to Plastic' at Masterly – The Dutch during Milan Design Week 2026.
- The installation was in collaboration with Releaf by Avantium and curated by Nicole Uniquole.
- Releaf is the commercial brand for Avantium's PEF, a plant-based polymer derived from renewable feedstocks.
- PEF is an alternative to fossil-based plastics with recyclability and lower carbon footprint.
- The collection includes a cabinet, bench, side table, and stackable bowls made from PEF.
- Nienke Hoogvliet is an 'artivist' focusing on ecology and industrial innovation.
- Tim Jongerius brings expertise in product design, art direction, and spatial installation.
- PEF can be processed via heating, 3D printing, and needle punching into various forms.
- The designers aim to make sustainable plastics desirable through design.
- PEF is being developed for industrial scalability, unlike many experimental biomaterials.
Entities
Artists
- Nienke Hoogvliet
- Tim Jongerius
- Ludovica Proietti
Institutions
- Hoogvliet Jongerius
- Releaf
- Avantium
- Masterly – The Dutch
- DesignWanted
Locations
- Milan
- Italy