Frequently Asked Questions

Less than 15% of polystyrene (PS) waste is currently recycled. Among this waste are refrigerator parts, yogurt pots, hangers, food trays, as well as WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment such as keyboards, TV casings, internet boxes, etc.). This is where SoftSurface™ was born — a material made from up to 100% recycled plastic waste, with no added resin.

It is a material that is both safe (A+ rating for VOC emissions and REACH-compliant), local (produced in our factory in Burgundy), recycled, and durable (high technical performance for long-term use).

Applications:
SoftSurface™ stands out for its wide range of uses. Interior design, wall cladding, flooring, countertops, furniture, objects — there’s no limit to creativity.

The recycled plastic comes from France.We use two types of waste to manufacture our panels:

• PIR (Post-Industrial Plastic), for example, material scraps used in cosmetics.
• PCR (Post-Consumer Plastic), for example bottle caps, yogurt pots, refrigerator doors, etc.

Our panels are manufactured in our two Le Pavé factories: in Aubervilliers, Seine-Saint-Denis (93), and Allériot, Saône-et-Loire (71).

For working with these eco-designed materials (cutting, assembly, thermoforming, grooving, welding…), we collaborate with a trusted network of committed partners who have, over time, mastered our materials. To be connected with the right partner, feel free to contact our sales team.

If you’re in France and would like to visit our workshops, contact us here. We regularly organize Le Pavé breakfast events with a guided tour.

SoftSurface™ is available in 4 ranges and 10 colorways:

• The Originals Range:
  • Soft White 001: Refrigerator doors, transparent industrial production grinds (e.g., petri dishes).
  • Soft Black 002: Electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE: printers, televisions, appliances), white scraps from industrial production, and our own production scraps.
  • Soft White & Black 003: Refrigerator doors, WEEE grinds (black) and transparent industrial production grinds (e.g., petri dishes).
  • Soft White & Multicolor 004: Refrigerator doors, mandrel grinds (mainly red and purple), and transparent industrial production grinds (e.g., petri dishes).

• The Colors Range:
  • Soft Blue 011: Refrigerator doors, transparent industrial production grinds (e.g., petri dishes) + 3% blue pigment.
  • Soft Beige 012: Refrigerator doors, WEEE grinds (black) and transparent industrial production grinds (e.g., petri dishes) + 2% beige pigment.
  • Soft Grey 013: Refrigerator doors, WEEE grinds (black) and transparent industrial production grinds (e.g., petri dishes) + 2% gray pigment.
  • Soft Green 014: Refrigerator doors, WEEE grinds (black) and transparent industrial production grinds (e.g., petri dishes) + 3% green pigment.

• The Collection Range:
  • Quartz Blanc 021: White base sprinkled with chips that can be visually compared to quartz. Obviously, this is not real quartz, but rather polystyrene from recycled food trays.
  • Quartz Noir 022: Similar to Quartz Blanc, but with a black base.

• The Flex Range:

  This range includes all Originals and Colors shades in a flexible version.

  • Flex White 031: Refrigerator doors, transparent industrial production scrap (e.g., Petri dishes).

  • Flex Black 032: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), white industrial scraps, and our own offcuts.

  • Flex White & Black 033: Refrigerator doors, black WEEE fragments, and transparent industrial scrap.

  • Flex White & Multicolor 034: Refrigerator doors, colored spool fragments (mainly red and violet), and transparent industrial scrap.

  • Flex Blue 035: Refrigerator doors, transparent industrial scrap + 3% blue pigment.

  • Flex Beige 036: Refrigerator doors, black WEEE fragments and transparent industrial scrap + 2% beige pigment.

  • Flex Grey 037: Refrigerator doors, black WEEE fragments and transparent industrial scrap + 2% grey pigment.

  • Flex Green 038: Refrigerator doors, black WEEE fragments and transparent industrial scrap + 3% green pigment.

Customizing an order is only possible for very large-scale projects. To see if your project fits within this scope, please contact us here.

By clicking here. Delivery is possible in France and worldwide. NB: the cost of the sample kit will be deducted from your first order, regardless of the amount.

SoftSurface™ is made from waste materials, which means each batch of raw material is unique due to its variability. This is what makes our product so special. As a result, you may observe slight color variations between panels from different production runs. For example, white bases can range from slightly bluish or grayish to off-white or light beige.

We are committed to providing uniformly colored panels within the same batch.

The color of the panels remains stable over time.
*If extensively exposed to outdoor UV rays, slight fading may occur.

Le Pavé materials are available in panel format.

They come in two standard sizes: 1400 x 900 mm and 2400 x 1350 mm (except for the Collection and Flex ranges).
Available thicknesses are 8, 12, and 15 mm.

The panels are produced at our two manufacturing sites in France, and each site yields slightly different surface finishes.
For this reason, we recommend not mixing different panel sizes within the same project, as visible variations may occur between the two formats.

The weight of a panel varies depending on the chosen SoftSurface™ and its thickness. The density of a panel is 1.05 g/cm3 (for polystyrene panels). For the standard thickness (15 mm), a SoftSurface™ Originals panel weighs approximately 20.5 kg.
A SoftSurface™ Flex panel, on the other hand, weighs only 4 kg 🪶

On request. Please contact our team at projet@le-pave.com

Some SoftSurface™ colors are not suitable for intensive outdoor use as they may slightly fade over time. However, the product will not deteriorate mechanically.

Soft Grey 013 and Soft Green 014 from the Colors range are suitable for outdoor use without color change over time thanks to their enhanced UV resistance.

You can find more information by contacting the technical team at assistance.technique@le-pave.com or through “L’Espace Pro”. 

SoftSurface™ is A+ certified for VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions and complies with REACH regulations. It has been designed to limit the spread of micro-particles in our bodies and the environment. For more information, feel free to contact us here. 

SoftSurface™ Flex can follow all kinds of curves within an architectural space: curved walls and partitions, rounded furniture bases, curved ceilings, etc. Its maximum cold bending radius is 300 mm, allowing the panel to gently follow curved surfaces.

You can find all technical details in l’Espace Pro. 

This material can be manipulated using standard fitting techniques and tools. SoftSurface™ panels can be cut, machined, glued, drilled, thermoformed, varnished, etc. Like for Plexiglas®, SolidSurface® or Corian, all you need to do is follow the settings and additional product references (blades, sandpapers, etc.).

You can find more technical information on “L’Espace Pro” or contact the technical team at assistance.technical@le-pave.com.

SoftSurface™ Flex can be screwed and/or glued. Stapled or nailed installation is also recommended: it’s a simple and quick method that allows you to cover wall surfaces in no time.
For full recommendations regarding installation, fixing, and jointing, please refer to the technical data sheet available in l’Espace Pro.

If you are a processor, simply log into your Le Pavé® Professional Account to access technical content to help you handle the material correctly. For direct technical assistance, contact assistance.technique@le-pave.com or call 01 89 71 10 57.

Yes, but make sure you use the right additional products (blades, sandpapers, etc.) as specified in the technical manuals available in your Professional Account.

SoftSurface™ can be used in many different ways: for furniture, countertops, wall coverings, objects, etc. Its high density makes it suitable for both vertical and horizontal applications: shelves, bookcases, table tops, flooring, etc.

Find all our SoftSurface™ projects on our Portfolio page.

For SoftSurface™ Flex, the applications include:

• Decorative wall coverings in dry rooms (full-height wall panels, headboards, decorative elements, etc.)

• Decorative wall coverings in wet rooms (backsplashes, full-height wall panels, Geberit frame cladding, etc.)

• Backlit wall coverings and installations

• Furniture cladding such as sideboards, reception counters, kitchen fronts, etc.

• Objects such as light fixtures, trays, baskets, etc.

Feel free to contact us to discuss your project.

Yes, SoftSurface™ can be easily glued using standard mastic-adhesives such as MS polymers or SolidSurface adhesives.

For more information, you can consult the technical manuals on “L’Espace Pro”.

You can also find adhesives to buy in “L’Espace Pro” shop.

Le Pavé® materials behave like thermoplastics, allowing them to be thermoformed into curved shapes when heated. For more information, please refer to page 15 of the technical manual available on “L’Espace Pro”. 

Le Pavé® materials can be joined using standard fitting tools like mechanical joints (grooves, dominos, clamex, etc.) or glued joints with adhesives, as specified in the SoftSurface™ technical manual avaible in “L’Espace Pro”. If you have any doubts, you can also contact the technical service at assistance.technique@le-pave.com

Yes, the back side of the panel is not grooved and is delivered with an unfinished surface (prior to surface finishing, which ensures a consistent thickness). A simple finishing sanding will remove the surface tooling marks and give the panel a completely smooth feel.
All sanding recommendations can be found in our technical documentation available in l’Espace Pro. 

The minimum order is one pallet, equivalent to 20 to 40 panels depending on the thicknesses chosen. Retail orders are possible through our distributors (only in France and neighboring countries). 

Individuals cannot directly place an order. However, you can ask your tradesperson (or one of our approved tradespersons) to source directly from us or through our distributors.

SoftSurface™ is distributed all over France and in neighboring countriesby Artepy and Richardson. Find more information on our distributors page.

Color mixing is possible for small formats (140×900 mm) but not for larger formats (2400×1350 mm).

Prices vary based on parameters like thickness, size, quantity, color, etc. For a quote, please contact us here, and we will get back to you within 2 business days.

Delivery lead times from our production sites range from 4 to 12 weeks. You will receive email notifications for each stage of the process. If they are in stock at the distributors, the panels will be available immediately.

Panels are delivered on pallets. Delivery is available throughout France and internationally, with shipping costs based on the weight and size of your order. The price will be indicated on your quote. Ask for a quote.