StoneCycling: sustainable designer bricks

LIOF and StoneCycling

Ward Massa, director and co-founder of StoneCycling, explains:

Design bricks from pulverized waste
"Once we started with an idea: can you make new building materials from construction and demolition waste?" reflects Ward. The idea for StoneCycling came about ten years ago, when co-founder Tom van Soest was studying at the Design Academy in Eindhoven. As a graduation project, he made design bricks that consisted largely of pulverized waste. "This graduation project led to a prototype as well as our first potential customers," Ward says. 

22,830 kilograms of construction waste in the facade
In 2015, the first project was a reality. In Rotterdam, a building was constructed from WasteBasedBricks from StoneCycling. The exterior facade incorporated 22,830 kilograms of construction waste. Such projects do not happen overnight, Ward emphasizes, "The market in which we operate is a long-term one. The lead time of projects can easily be several years. It is therefore necessary to invest heavily before a single brick is laid. In product development, marketing and sales." 

'StoneCycling is a true network organization'
The men are not doing this further professionalization on their own. StoneCycling is a true network organization. Ward: "We work together with many different companies. From recycling companies in the region to producers, knowledge institutions but also other financiers, such as Rabobank Venlo."

"We focus entirely on the circular economy"
 

260,000 pounds of waste in New York
In 2018, StoneCycling supplied bricks for a residential building on 11th Avenue in New York, its largest project to date. 260,000 pounds of waste were used to produce these bricks. "A great project that we are proud of. But we are proud of our customers anyway. After all, these consist mainly of innovative property developers and architects who dare to stick their necks out with high-profile and sustainable projects." 

'We are only at 1% of where we want to go'
What the men can also be proud of is the development of their company. By now StoneCycling has completed more than sixty projects in ten countries for high-profile names, including Starbucks. And today the company employs seven people. But Ward and Tom are far from where they want to be. To continue to grow and develop, Ward likes to share some tips for other entrepreneurs.

"Developing an innovative product takes naiveté, is our motto," he says.

'Keep pushing forward and learning'
Ward: "Looking back, it has been quite a journey to get where we are today. Our naïveté in the early stages has ensured that we kept pushing forward and learning. Now we know a little more, but at the same time we also understand that we are only at 1% of where we want to go. In addition, involving professionals who can facilitate entrepreneurs is extremely important. That's how you keep getting one step further."

 

 

 

KVK Innovation Top 100 2020: StoneCycling at number 4!
More than 330 Dutch entrepreneurs entered the 16th edition of the KVK Innovation Top 100. StoneCycling made it to the 4th spot this year! KVK presents this top 100 every year. A beautiful showcase full of successful innovations from small and medium enterprises. Do you make the top 100 as an entrepreneur? Then you show that your company is ahead of the game and innovative in your sector.
Read more at www.kvkinnovatietop100.nl. Building with waste. Watch this space.

Deze testimonial is van november 2o21.

Fotografie: Ron Wiersma: ronwiersma.nl