Eline Van Dijkman
As a product designer, Eline van Dijkman’s passion for experimenting with new materials to create functional and sustainable products is evident. Her journey began with a fascination for industrial materials and a desire to address waste streams, which led her to the vast mountains of discarded rubber tyres at DRI Rubber in the Netherlands. Intrigued by the unique properties of rubber, she embarked on a mission to explore its potential.
Eline’ s creation, “Rubber, a Design Material,” illustrates the potential of recycled industrial materials like rubber, showcasing how they can be transformed into innovative products that seamlessly integrate into the design world.By collaborating with DRI Rubber, a global specialist in rubber recycling, van Dijkman pioneered circular products made from recycled rubber matting.
These products blend effortlessly into our daily lives and can be recycled within the same company. The outdoor set features an industrial aesthetic, preserving the raw patterns of the rubber mats sourced directly from industry. Characterised by simple geometric shapes, clean lines, and sharp angles, the design embraces rough, unpolished finishes that highlight the material’s imperfections, adding to its rugged appeal. In van Dijkman’s designs, the material dictates the form, enhancing functionality while preserving its inherent properties. Raw, chunky cut-outs of rubber are ingeniously crafted into furniture pieces, showcasing the material’s durability, resilience, and suitability for outdoor use.
The collaboration with DRI Rubber led to extensive experimentation, culminating in the use of water cutting to create 2D pieces that seamlessly interlock to form 3D objects. Each shape in the series is an outline of another, ensuring 100% material utilisation. Even smaller scrap pieces were repurposed as candle holders, further reducing waste. Composed entirely of recycled rubber, predominantly sourced from tyres, the series champions sustainability and resource efficiency. Despite initial concerns due to rubber’s association with chemical waste, the project received positive feedback for its practicality and environmental consciousness. It stands as both a statement piece and a catalyst for discussions on recycling and material innovation. While these pieces are not yet commercially available, Eline encourages collaboration with companies that use rubber to repurpose their waste materials. She advocates for the broader adoption of recycled rubber in design to decrease reliance on new materials and reduce environmental impact.
Website: elinevandijkman.com
Instagram: eline_orangedesign
Email: elinevandijkman31@gmail.com
Country: The Netherlands
