These tiles are mainly made from recycled plastic and were developed as a design application within the circular economy. The project was created with the aim of recycling marine plastic waste, particularly discarded fishing nets.
From a technical point of view, the production process involves several stages. The fishing nets are collected, cleaned and sorted by polymer type, with a prevalence of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The material is then shredded and granulated to obtain a secondary raw material. Functional additives (UV stabilisers, antioxidants, compatibilisers) are added to improve the mechanical strength and thermal stability of the final product.
The composite material thus obtained is then subjected to compression moulding or casting in dedicated moulds, from which tiles with the desired dimensions and textures are obtained. The aesthetic properties — colour, grain and surface finish — derive directly from the composition and origin of the polymers used, without the addition of artificial pigments.
They offer good durability and chemical resistance typical of stabilised thermoplastic polymers, but are less suitable for contexts involving high mechanical or thermal stress than traditional ceramics. Their main use is therefore for interior cladding and decorative elements.
Main source of the description
MaterialDistrict. (2025, January 10). Coldharbour fishing net tiles. Retrieved October 29, 2025
