The PolyPlasticum Foundation is a knowledge and information center in the Netherlands regarding plastic.
The objectives of the PolyPlasticum foundation, among others:
“Plastic is more interesting than you think”
The initiative for a knowledge and information center for plastics dates from 1988. The initiators were Wiebren Kornelis Kornelis, director of Kornelis Caps & Closures; former director of Dyka Netherlands Jan Vloedbeld; and former financial director of Kornelis Caps & Closures Geurt Wolsink. Their efforts and the financial contributions from the European Union, the Province of Overijssel and the municipality of Steenwijkerland made it possible for the PolyPlasticum to settle in its own building, the former post office at the railway station of Steenwijk, on January 2003. The PolyPlasticum building also functioned as a museum, showing the collection of Jan Vloedbeld. It was one of the world’s few unique historical collections of bakelite (phenol-formaldehyde). Also, there were a working injection molding machine and an old press machine for bakelite. Until his death in 1999 Wiebren Kornelis was the president of the PolyPlasticum.
In 2010, the PolyPlasticum became part of the Professorship Polymer Technology at the Windesheim College as an independent foundation, thereby preserving knowledge and cultural heritage.
Dr. Hans Davidson was appointed as curator; the exhibition was reorganized and he added examples of his colorful collection of American and other early plastic. He also contributed to the new website and wrote a monograph for visitors who wish to learn more about this topic.
Since its Grand Reopening on March 7, 2012, this collection is exhibited in a number of display cases in the Polymer Science Park in Zwolle. Interested parties can view the exhibit by appointment. More information on visiting can be found on the page Visit and Contact.