BEST PORTUGAL BRANDS
Ana Águas article
Flowco was born from the idea of four architecture students, an innovative and ecological company
Flowco's story is a testament to how a passion for ecology and the power of design can come together to create a more sustainable world.
Em 2015, in a cafe in Coimbra, Portugal, four friends – Antonio Vale, José Almeida, Rodrigo Melo and Sebastião Ataíde – all architecture students, had a vision in mind: How they could make a difference and contribute to a better world? This is how Flowco’s journey began.
Flowco's mission began with valuing waste through design. Initially, the team directed its efforts towards the creation of urban furniture, and the result was surprising: won 1st prize in the Larus Design 15 ideas competition′ com a Hendrix Chair, the first truly flexible urban bean bag made from recycled materials, including tires and shoe soles.
This innovation not only promoted ecology, as well as technology, laying the foundation for what would later officially become Flowco, em 2018.
Today, Flowco is a parent company of brands that focus on solving the problem of waste from the beginning of the value chain, until delivery and application at destination. With a team of experts in transforming waste into high added value products, Flowco acts as a bridge between companies seeking to value their waste, and the creation of ecologically responsible products.
Flowco does not operate alone. In addition to having a production unit and a team of designers dedicated to adding value to waste, also has a network of partners that help them in the transformation, recycling and certification of materials and products.
A GomaDecor by Flowco, is a notable example of a brand of acoustic and decorative panels. It is distinguished by the use of composite materials made from industrial waste from the footwear industry that, with design application, it presents lifestyle pieces differentiated by their very original appearance, making the brand known for its disruptive approach to textures and colors, transforming any space and utility into a unique environment or value.
Flowco's range of products also includes the GomaSports brand, which already has an interesting range of coatings, both floor and walls, very subtly decorative with an acoustic behavior similar to cork, adding strength and durability.
The company therefore produces its products from recycled raw materials, transforming grains of waste into differentiating design products with various uses.
At the core of its process is working with industrial waste, and a particular focus on rubber-derived materials, including EVA, SBR, PU, neolite and rubber from end-of-life tires, from the footwear industry, as the sole of sneakers and others.
Regarding the destination of production waste, Flowco takes an eco-conscious approach, minimizing waste as much as possible. Contaminated waste is sent to companies that use combustion to produce energy.
View this post on Instagram
Flowco's main clients include architects, designers, athletes, gym owners and companies who want to recover their waste, and is also offering an online store. The company already operates in Portugal and Spain, with expansion plans for Germany and Greece. Furthermore, already has a partnership in the United States.
Strongly believing in the power of design and creativity of new utilitarian products, the brand is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its products. Design plays a fundamental role in daily life, and the company seeks to ensure that its products have the least possible impact on the environment.
___
To know more brands and Portuguese production stories, Follow the blog Best Portugal Brands.