From December 5, 2025 to January 15, 2026, the ADI Design Museum in Milan hosts OLTREPLASTICA, an exhibition curated by architect and designer Frida Doveil, created with the support of Eni as Main Partner, and featuring the participation of Versalis, Novamont, and Finproject.
The exhibition explores the evolution of contemporary plastics, the role of design in their transformation, and examines the paths that are pushing plastics “beyond” their traditional identity, highlighting the connection between material culture, industrial innovation, and greater environmental sustainability.
“OLTREPLASTICA” is not just the title of the exhibition—it is a true interpretive key for understanding and classifying the changes of a material in constant evolution.
The exhibition features several thematic islands showcasing materials and objects, from iconic past winners of the Compasso d’Oro (such as polyurethane and polyethylene), to contemporary examples (including plastics that are partially or entirely bio-based, revitalized, or regenerated), all the way to the latest technological innovations in the chemical industry.
In this context, design emerges as a driver of change, capable of redefining the value of materials and imagining increasingly environmentally sustainable uses of plastic.
Materials are not simple components: they carry meaning, performance, and value. And since every object begins with a material, there is a deep connection between chemistry and design.
It is from this perspective that we, as Versalis, chose to present ReUp®, our brand dedicated to the world of design. Within the exhibition, in the “mass balanced” section, two iconic objects will be on display: the Lumy watering can made with our ABS Balance®, inspired by the soft, enveloping shape of a snail; and the Duse lamp made with our SAN Balance®, featuring fluid and harmonious lines.
Also featured in the exhibition are the “Essential” Olympic and Paralympic Torches for Milano Cortina 2026, a virtuous example of innovation with greater environmental sustainability. Created through a collaboration between Eni, Versalis, Carlo Ratti Associati, and Cavagna Group, these torches integrate cutting-edge materials with a more responsible, sustainable approach to the environment. The handle, made of XL EXTRALIGHT®—an ultra-light material produced with 60% bio-naphtha from renewable sources—ensures stability and a secure grip. This project demonstrates how combining diverse expertise can transform materials into a powerful message of enhanced environmental sustainability and innovation.
In the same section, visitors will also find the Bloom Planter by Sabine Marcelis, an indoor pot composed of two interconnected rings: one holds water, and the other contains seeds and soil. Designed to encourage home cultivation of flowers and aromatic plants, it is made with waterproof and UV-resistant materials.
In the “revitalized plastic” section, Versalis presents its Refence® range, which uses mechanically recycled polymers to produce food packaging suitable for direct contact with food, as well as the Roku shoe—Camper’s modular sneaker with soles made of Finproject’s XL EXTRALIGHT® SUSTAINABLE+. It is composed of six interchangeable parts, made with materials that have a lower environmental impact than traditional ones, and all recyclable and replaceable.
In the “bio-based” section, visitors will find Moscardino, a Mater-Bi cutlery piece by Novamont that combines spoon and fork in a single object. It won the Compasso d’Oro in 2001.
OLTREPLASTICA invites us to look beyond the material to discover how innovation, design, and greater environmental sustainability can together transform plastic into a tangible symbol of a responsible future.
