Polimair: Design and Sustainability Without Compromise
Bringing aesthetics and sustainability together is at the heart of this company that specialises in furniture made from recycled plastic.
Presented at the first edition of Shoppe Object Paris, Polimair develops a design approach rooted in material. Founded by brothers Arthur and Léo Gaudenz, the brand creates furniture from recycled plastic while offering a different perspective on a material that is often stigmatised. We met Arthur Gaudenz at the stand, where he spoke about how the project began, the choice of materials and the desire to rethink plastic.
Tell us about the origins of Polimair and the intention behind the brand
Polimair started with a simple idea: to look at recycled plastic differently. We wanted to work with this material to a very high standard, without compromise, and above all to change the way people see it. We design monomaterial kit furniture made exclusively in France from recycled plastic. Each piece is designed to be assembled and taken apart easily, without glue or additional materials. The Beluga chair, for example, is assembled with plastic screws, and the screwdriver is integrated directly beneath the seat. The kit allows individual parts to be replaced as needed. It is a simple system, with no steel and no virgin material.
Why did you choose recycled plastic as your primary material?
When we started, we felt that something was missing in the way plastic was being used in furniture. Many brands were already working with recycled plastic, but often with an aesthetic closely linked to waste or craft. We wanted to elevate the material as it is. To work only with recycled plastic, but present it with a different density, different tones and a refined finish, almost like a beautiful material.
What makes it interesting is where it comes from. We use waste from the medical sector, where plastic remains essential in everyday life. It is often transparent and of very high quality, which allows it to take colour easily.
How do you approach the balance between aesthetics, sustainability and function?
For us, the three go hand in hand. Everything begins with aesthetics. It is often beautiful objects that make us change our minds. If we want to encourage more sustainable practices, we first have to create desire. The furniture also needs to be comfortable, robust and made to last. You can also see that approach in production. In a single collection, nearly six tonnes of plastic have already been recycled. It remains modest compared to the wider industry, but it lays the foundations for a more committed approach to design.
What made you want to present Polimair at Shoppe Object Paris?
We discovered Shoppe Object Paris through recommendations from Intramuros magazine. From the beginning, Polimair has done very well in concept stores and boutiques. The Beluga chair, for example, was a real success at the Centre Pompidou store, where it became one of the best-selling products. The fair felt like the right place to meet new partners and see how our pieces would be received in a more fashion-focused setting.
The response during the event was remarkable. Many buyers were surprised when they discovered the pieces, especially by their weight and density. For us, those reactions are important. They show that the relationship to the material really changes when you stand in front of the object. Plastic is no longer seen as something light or fragile, but as a solid material, almost unexpected.
