Plant-based PEF by Avantium enters prototype testing for bedding and upholstery
Last update on Jun 1, 2026
For manufacturers working with comfort foam, identifying plant-based polymer alternatives that perform reliably in automated encapsulation processes remains an open qualification challenge.
A collaboration between Avantium N.V. and Heynen Systems B.V. has produced a first prototype cushion incorporating PEF – Avantium's plant-based and circular polymer marketed as releaf® – designed for use in the bedding and upholstery sector. The prototype will be presented at Interzum Forum Italy on 4–5 June 2026 in Bergamo, Italy, marking the first public demonstration of releaf® in this application context.
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Integrating PEF into automated foam encapsulation workflows
The collaboration centers on prototyping and application assessment. According to the companies, the development focus is on how releaf® can be integrated into automated foam encapsulation workflows – a process-critical step in comfort foam manufacturing. Heynen Systems, which has supplied system solutions to the comfort foam industry for over 40 years, brings established encapsulation process knowledge to the assessment. Its automation technology is designed to reduce production costs and limit abrasion between foam and outer covers, with solutions currently in use at manufacturers including IKEA and Tempur.
The prototype cushion was developed under the Tricover® brand, a Heynen Systems product line. According to the partners, the current phase is explicitly exploratory: the objective is to assess performance parameters and production compatibility, not to position releaf® as a validated drop-in solution.
"At Heynen Systems, we continuously explore new materials and technologies that support our customers and enable further development in our field," said Gabriela Caraman, communication and sustainability adviser at Heynen Systems. "This collaboration allows us to experiment with releaf® and explore how we can further reduce environmental impact while remaining competitive. We are pleased to share this first prototype cushion made with releaf® with our customers and to start the conversation on circular products 'Made in Europe'."
From Avantium's perspective, the bedding and upholstery sector represents a targeted application area as the company works to scale releaf® across industrial segments.
"Exploring new application areas is essential as we scale releaf®," said Laleh Maleki, business development manager at Avantium. "Working with Tricover® allows us to bring our material into direct contact with real-life applications in bedding and upholstery. This prototype is a valuable step to learn, test, and inspire the industry with what's possible using our plant-based material PEF."