IXXI celebrates 15 years of using Agfa SYNAPS for its modular art, highlighting a new closed-loop recycling partnership for 2026
IXXI, the Dutch modular wall art specialist, has reached a 15-year milestone in its partnership with Agfa, during which it has used SYNAPS synthetic paper as the exclusive foundation for its products. The Nijmegen-based company produces a customisable grid-based art system where individual tiles are linked using proprietary tools, allowing users to rearrange or update designs over time.
The choice of substrate is a critical technical requirement for IXXI, as the tiles must remain perfectly flat when hung and resist curling, moisture, and tearing. Following extensive testing during the company’s start-up phase, SYNAPS OM300 was identified as the optimal grade, providing a balance of thickness for durability and lightness for ease of installation.
Erik-Jan Schreurs, Co-CEO and Owner of IXXI, said, “From day one, we wanted people to be able to experience art in a new way – to make it fun, flexible, and personal. That principle shaped every design choice, including the materials we use. IXXI is all about giving people the freedom to keep playing with their wall art and make it truly their own. SYNAPS has been part of that journey from the start, and nothing else matches its combination of quality and lasting performance.”
The polyester-based SYNAPS material features a silky high-grade surface that enhances colour depth and image clarity for fine art reproductions. Beyond aesthetics, the material’s durability supports a longer product lifespan, as tiles can be handled and reconfigured repeatedly without damage.
Schreurs added, “When we tested different materials, SYNAPS immediately stood out. This material had the look and feel we wanted but with the toughness to handle any challenge thrown at it. That balance is what made us really fall in love with it. SYNAPS is the perfect base for what we create. It keeps every IXXI looking sharp, smooth, and beautifully printed.”
The collaboration has recently expanded to focus on circularity. IXXI and Agfa have established a closed-loop recycling system where production waste and returned tiles are collected and sent back to Agfa’s manufacturing facility to be processed into new SYNAPS sheets. This initiative has allowed Agfa to conduct extensive recyclability testing on printed synthetic paper, with four pilot schemes currently active and plans for a wider roll-out across 2026.
Jolien Staring, Business Development Manager for SYNAPS at Agfa, said, “Working with IXXI perfectly illustrates what SYNAPS stands for – creative flexibility, durability, and sustainability, in one remarkable synthetic paper. It’s rewarding to see how our material helps bring IXXI’s customers’ designs to life while supporting a more circular approach to wall art. Together, we’ve developed something that performs beautifully for customers and makes a positive impact on the planet.”
The ongoing partnership involves Agfa providing custom-engineered sheets tailored to IXXI’s specific needs, ensuring the material remains a core component of the brand’s identity as it scales internationally.