Young graduates of the Brno University of Technology, Marco Aulisa and Ondřej Venclík, decided to show people that plastic “waste” can keep serving a purpose — and even look good doing it. Their pressed panels made from 100% recycled material now decorate the interiors of more than 120 cafés, companies, restaurants, bars, and most recently, the Slovak office of Forbes.
The “Plastic Guys” collaborate with brands such as Adidas, mmcité, and Ambiente, and are now taking their more sustainable and eco-friendly materials into the construction industry.
“Our recycled and recyclable plastic panels from Brno can be reheated and reshaped, making them an ideal universal product usable in many forms and applications,” says Venclík. “The key is that each panel is made from a single plastic group, without additives, so it can be recycled again and doesn’t end up in nature, an incinerator, or landfill.”
The plastic sheets produced by Plastic Guys contain crushed bottle caps and yogurt cups collected from recycling centers and local companies that generate their own plastic waste. “We don’t use any glues, dyes, or similar additives,” the founders explain proudly.
Thanks to that, their products can be recycled repeatedly — at least thirteen times. “How far we can go in repeated plastic waste processing is something the future will show,” adds co-founder Marco Aulisa.
Plastic Guys represent a generation determined to treat waste and nature with care — ecologically, sustainably, and economically.
No Exporting. Local Production Is Better.
In 2024, not only did the Brno-based Plastic Guys team grow to five members, but their production capacity expanded significantly as well. “We’ll have the largest production format in the world,” the young founders say proudly — and they’re already planning international expansion.
“We want to conquer Europe and other continents, but we refuse to transport our panels by trucks or ships,” they explain enthusiastically, referring to the Green Deal 2030. “It makes much more sense to open local branches with on-site production. By 2030, we’ll all need to change our habits — and this is one way to do it. After all, if plastic has traveled so far since its invention, it would be absurd for it all to end after a single sip from a bottle.”
Plastic panels from Brno also made a strong impression at this year’s Designblok. Many visitors and potential partners appreciated not only the aesthetics but also the performance of the material, suitable for both interiors and exteriors.
Most visitors who touched the panels reportedly thought they were made of artificial stone. The story and origin of the material attracted sympathy — and orders. “People were thrilled when they found out the panels were made from yogurt cups, plastic cutlery, and straws.”
Cheaper Than Solid Wood Furniture
According to the young founders, most architects across Central Europe already know the Brno-made GOD panels or are beginning to work with them. The material stands out for its visual appeal, great mechanical properties — it can be beautifully bent and backlit — and affordable price.
“Everyone expects it to be very expensive, but we’re proud that our panels are actually cheaper than most sheet materials on the market.”
