Plantics B.V. is a spin-off from the University of Amsterdam which aims to develop affordable bio-based alternatives to fossil fuel-based plastics. 

They are focusing on 100% bio-based thermoset resins and materials made from plant waste. Thermosetting involves heating and shaping a liquid plastic, and the resins are used as binders for composites and natural fibre products, coatings for moulded paper and a base material for foams. 

Plantics works with partners to develop products which make full use of their biomaterials. These include: 

• Zero ThinPly, a thin plywood product made from bio-based materials, including the Plantics circular bio-binder. It is suitable for laser-cut design products.  

• Plantics Panels, wood and hemp panels made with Plantics bio-resin. They are waterproof, easy to process, very strong and fully recyclable. 

• DOPA plant pots, fully compostable pots made from recycled paper and Plantics bio-resins. 

Their biomaterials are carbon-negative since they are made from plants which capture carbon dioxide from the air. Most of the raw materials used are available on an industrial scale in Europe, and their materials support circular economy principles by being fully recoverable at end-of-life and biodegradable if they enter the environment.   

Plantics and its partner Vepa were elected "Renewable Material of the Year 2021" in a competition organised by nova-Institute. They developed the Hemp-chair, which has a shell made from Dutch hemp fibers and Plantics bio-resin. The Hemp-chair is the first furniture which is 100% plant-based, recyclable and even carbon negative.