Problem

The problem is that 30% of all produced clothes is never sold and as a result they are landfilled and burnt, and the clothing companies do not have a deadstock upcycling system in place.

Solution

The company provides clothing companies a way to gain additional revenue from their deadstock clothes, with a solution that is service-based and consists of licensing a ‘protected’ upcycling technique called ‘fire-piping’ enabling companies to upcycle their unsold clothes at scale.

The company takes the BTB customer’s unsold inventory to manufacturers who apply reverse manufacturing on unsold clothes with a new technique resulting in redesigned and repurposed products of higher quality and value.

The solution is a technique called ‘fire-piping’ developed while the company’s CPO and co-founder studied at The Royal Danish Academy (KADK) which now protects it. The ‘fire-piping’ is a unique technique that allows upcycling finished garments of various kinds and not only fabrics like other upcycling techniques currently used by other companies. It, thus, increases garments’ aesthetic as well as financial value. Upcycling with ‘fire-piping’ results in a zero-waste and automated reverse manufacturing process that enables clothing companies to efficiently utilise their deadstock on a large scale.

The business model

The business model is based on service, using ‘fire-piping’ to upcycle deadstock by licensing and training manufacturers.

Different streams of revenue apply:

• ● Hourly rate (750-1500 DKK) of consultancy to upskill clients’ employees via workshops and trainings
• ● In addition, 1% royalty from customers’ sales of upcycled deadstock
• ● The pricing for upcycling design depends on its complexity with the same fee as for consulting.
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• Challenges

Finding production facilities in Denmark and other EU countries.

Next 12 months

Quantify the ROI and profitability for our clients.

Patent the ‘fire-piping’ technique as a process innovation.

At a strategic level, ensure implementation of the upcycling process into the companies’ business models.

Team and management

A – CPO with tailoring background and MA in fashion design from the Royal Danish Academy, is responsible for product development. His skills in patternmaking, and experience (3 years) with commercial production in a fast fashion brand enable him to create technical flats and train designers and manufacturers in using upcycling techniques.

B – CEO with interdisciplinary mind and MA in Strategic Design & Entrepreneurship from CBS enable her to take on strategic business development tasks in operations, scaling, partnerships, communications, and digital presence. 4 years’ experience in marketing is an asset for the solution’s promotion and sales. The founders’ diverse skillsets lead to fast and holistic development. The co-founders apply the principles of design thinking to develop the products and service as well as to move the organization forward.

Status

Prototype sales to end-users in 2 Copenhagen stores (Sabine Poupinel, Studio Soriano), and design market Finders Keepers (in total 150+ pieces sold with great reviews). B2B deals with Roskilde Festival and Nikolaj Storm. Currently, the company is upcycling 100 abandoned tents collected at Roskilde Festival into raincoats.