The Maison&Objet show returned to the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center. Three brands were particularly scrutinized: the winners of the Future On Stage competition, aimed at revealing young innovative companies in the sector that respond to major CSR issues in the sector. What surprises did this edition of the famous trade fair have in store for us?

Sungai design revalues ​​plastic waste

When Kelly Bencheghib moved to Indonesia 20 years ago, the country had no poverty problem. plastic pollutionBut year after year, she noticed that the beaches were inexorably filling up with waste.

It is to fight against this ecological disaster, and curb plastic pollution especially in rivers, which she founded with her two brothers in 2020 the association Sungai Watch. Every day, 4 tons of plastic waste are collected by those she calls the " river warriors ", which are then stored in centers tri. Logically, the question of their revaluation arose. Creating furniture (chairs, stools, benches) proved to be a sustainable solution to revalue a certain type of plastic waste (waste does not have the same composition and properties, the members of the association analyze them and classify them into 30 categories). This is how Sungai design was born, the profits of which will be used to finance river cleaning operations.

For the founder, who already managed her association as one would manage a startup before the creation of the brand, the promotion of Sungai design furniture at the Maison&Objet show is an opportunity. To make herself known and raise awareness on the subject of plastic pollution, but also to " change the way we look at what we consider to be waste and show that we can recycle lots of things ».

Apollo Wooden Wheelchairs reinvents the wheelchair

Engineer by training, Paul de Livron started manufacturing wooden wheelchairs. According to the entrepreneur, they were gradually abandoned in favor of more efficient metal-framed chairs. But he explains that the technique he uses makes it possible to bring wooden chairs back into fashion and ready to return to the market.

The wheelchair user himself also took into consideration the aesthetic aspect of the object. For him, a beautiful wheelchair can be considered as a beautiful pair of shoes, a beautiful pair of sunglasses or any other fashion accessory that one takes out occasionally, in situations where beauty prevails, such as a party or a wedding.

The entrepreneur is targeting a second market, that of developing countries, where it is more difficult to obtain a good custom-made wheelchair and to envisage autonomy. "The wooden chairs that I develop are intended to be available in low-tech models (using fewer resources, which reduces costs) and manufactured locally in some of these countries, with the wood resources available locally."

At the moment, the entrepreneur does everything himself and wants to show that it is not as complicated as it seems. To give an idea, at the Maison&Objet show he promises to bring back the only three tools essential for making an armchair. I also come to present my know-how and transmit my vision of the future of medical equipment. ».

© Michel Richard

Paul de Livron © Harold Passini

Konqrit sees the bathtub as a work of art

Former consultant, Cecilia Garcia Galofre forged her career in the world of Fashion and natural interior design. The holder of a degree in textile design and an MBA in business, saw in Konqrit the opportunity to reconcile her entrepreneurial spirit and her creative vision, she who wants to help find original pieces for her home.

For the founder, the bathroom can be seen as a place to celebrate beauty. This is embodied in the concrete bathtubs and bathroom accessories she designs, each model being an opportunity to create new patterns in collaboration with contemporary artists.

The creative process involves much more than just product design. It requires a special mold to work the concrete, numerous tests and adjustments, and the involvement of several experts, workers, artists and craftsmen. The result? Sublime bathtubs, sometimes an explosion of colors, sometimes adorned with floral patterns, sometimes covered with poems: at the Maison&Objet show, we're going to love it.

Cecilia Garcia Galofre © Pompi Gutniski

©Pompi Gutnisky Art Intervention by Martin Reyna

©Pompi Gutnisky Art Intervention by Catalina Ruiz