The Ocean Collection

Originally produced in wood veneer, the outdoor furniture collection was first designed in 1955 by Jørgen and Nanna Ditzel - one of the 20th century's most renowned design duos.Since 2019, Mater has been reimagining these robust designs, in an effort to tackle various waste streams, whilst simultaneously paying homage to Danish design heritage.

This year we are introducing a new colourway as a supplement to the series existing black, green, and sand colour. As warm tones were known as a favourite of Nanna Ditzel, the 'Burnt Red' colourway was carefully created in celebration of Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel's legacy. In addition to this colour extension, we have also introduced a new waste stream into the collection.

The entire Ocean Collection is produced with a traditional injection moulding technique, but differing from the earlier versions, the new 'Burnt Red' iteration is made using post-consumer e-waste plastic.

It all began with discarded fishing nets

The first variants of the Ocean Collection were 'Sand' and 'Black', which are both made of recycled fishing nets and hard plastic. The vast amounts of ocean plastic waste are one of the most challenging issues facing our planet. An innovative business model motivates fishermen across the world to dispose of their discarded fishing nets at collection points instead of dumping them in the sea. Mater was the first furniture company to make furniture of recycled fishing nets since others have followed.

One Ocean Chair in Black or Sand recycles 1.62 kg of waste materials

In 2021 we initiated a collaboration with Carlsberg Brewery and a:gain- a company that develops, produces, and sells waste-based building elements and interiors at scale. A:gain has developed an innovative method for upscaling Carlsberg's plastic. The collaboration led to the launch of the dark green version of the Ocean Collection with slats made of recycled plastic beer kegs.

One Ocean Chair in Green recycles 1.6 kg of waste materials

The Ocean Collection in Burnt Red is made from post-consumer e-waste.
E-waste consists of mixed plastic parts from end-of-life electronic appliances such as fridges, displays, keyboards, etc. When sorted and cleaned it can be turned into plastic pellets that can be used as a base for injection moulding. Due to the world's consumption habits e-waste is considered the fastest-growing waste stream in the world.

One Ocean Chair in Burnt Red recycles 1.84 kg of waste materials

Jørgen & Nanna Ditzel

Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel were born in respectively 1923 and 1921. They met each other at the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen, where they both were students. In 1946, they established their design studio. The period from 1946 to 1961 was very productive for the young couple. After Jørgen’s untimely death in 1961, Nanna continued their joint project alone. She became a prominent designer in a period when the Danish design and architecture scene was dominated by men. 

In her work as a designer, she tackled everything from textiles to jewelry and furniture – finding a form and direction that pointed away from the strictly modernist, functionalist dictates issued by Kaare Klint and his school. She was actively producing designs until she died in 2005 and is known for her organic form and innovative use of materials, which helped redefine Danish design aesthetics.