Debris from construction, demolition, and industrial processes is one of the biggest waste streams in the world. In Europe, it accounts for approximately 35% of all waste generated*. In countries like the United States and China, the percentage is even higher. Additionally, the construction industry is responsible for one-third of all CO2 emissions in Europe.
Our Mission
Advancing the development, use and reuse of planet-friendly aesthetic building materials.
The Problem
Planet Earth is Running Out of Raw Materials
The Solution
Creating New Types of Building Materials with Innovative Technologies
By experimenting with new, cutting-edge technologies, creating different types of building materials for a variety of applications, and developing dry-stack systems that can be disassembled at the end of their lifespan, we always expand our range of WasteBasedBricks®.
Our Vision
Cities and their buildings will be constructed with materials that are reusable, demountable, made from waste and absorb more CO2 than it takes to create them.
To get to our ambitious goal we created a road map with the following steps:
Our Road Map
On a daily basis, we talk to people all over the world to show the possibilities of upcycled waste and share our innovative design examples. From phone calls to speaking at offices and even global stages, we share our mission to motivate others to join us.
Together with our partners, we are more active than ever in research and development. We're experimenting with cutting-edge new technologies to improve and expand our range of products.
We collaborate with progressive architects, designers, and real estate developers on beautiful buildings at inspiring locations, constructed with our high-quality upcycled materials to upcycle as much waste as possible.
We work together with all partners in the value chain, in different countries and sectors. From demolition and production companies to architects and real estate developers: we always aim to connect the many innovations and ambitions across the chain.
We show the viability of our products and the results of innovation to pave the way for major players in the global market to follow our example and increase our impact exponentially.
To achieve our ambitious goals, we've set ourselves a few rules to play by:
Our Rules
Waste as Resource
All our products have a common denominator: they are made with waste. Currently, our WasteBasedBricks® are made from a minimum of 60% waste, but we are working hard to get to 100% in the upcoming years.
Durability: Built to Last
We not only design and develop products that have a long lifespan (over 50 years) and contribute to a circular world, but we also prioritize building long-term and durable relationships with our customers, producers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
Focus on Design
We use design as a means to realize our vision and dare to take a creative approach to construction, involving industries, people, and production methods that are unconventional.
Tracking Progress
We keep a close eye on the impact we have on the world and track the particular waste streams we use, the number of kilograms of upcycled waste, the CO2 we reduce compared to conventional products, and ultimately, the CO2 we capture in each of our projects.
The Result
Our products prove that it’s possible to build high-quality, aesthetic structures from waste.
Our Impact
Upcycled waste so far
3.370.871 KG
Our Journey So Far...
2009 - 2011
Design Academy
StoneCycling was conceived at the Design Academy in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Then student, Tom van Soest focused on upcycling waste he found in vacant buildings awaiting demolition. Tom graduates from the Design Academy and founds his company StoneCycling with long-time friend Ward Massa. While Tom stays focused on his strengths in product development, Ward takes on the role of business strategist.
2012 - 2014
Aesthetics & Sustainability
Even though there is serious interest in their products by architects and project developers met at various trade shows and events, StoneCycling has yet to sell their first brick or tile.
All that’s needed are the right certificates to prove their bricks fulfil the legal requirements of health, safety and environmental regulations, but the research needed to receive these documents does not come cheap and money is running out.
2015
Launch of the WasteBasedBricks
After a feature in regional newspaper Limburgs Dagblad, based in Tom’s home province of Limburg in The Netherlands, the phone starts ringing.
The launch of the first range of WasteBasedBricks® results in more media coverage, ranging from various Dutch national newspapers to even more prestigious mentions such as one in the British daily newspaper The Guardian.
2016 - 2019
Scaling Up
These are exciting times for StoneCycling, as building from waste is now no longer just an idea, a concept or a thought.
Scaling up the business provides an exciting challenge for the team, and a committed production is found in Derck Zilverschoon, owner of the highly specialised brick production company Zilverschoon Randwijk. With a shared passion for sustainability, they start working on further developing and scaling up the next generation of building materials.
Tom gets chosen as the winner of the “Young Designer Award” at the Dutch Design Week with an approach that demonstrates “courage and the passion of a true artisan”.
2020 - 2021
Amsterdam, London, New York
The international focus also starts to pay off with new projects being realised in Amsterdam, London and New York.
Another milestone is StoneCycling’s biggest project to date: a residential development with over 260.000 kilograms of upcycled waste constructed on 11th Avenue in New York City.
Meanwhile, StoneCycling gets featured in respected publications such as Fast Company, Smithsonian and Dezeen.
2022
Welcome to the New Stone Age
A new branding, a new office and a new partnership! StoneCycling is making big steps to incorporate more sustainble building materials into their portfolio.
In a collaboration with Biomason® – the only company in the world employing biology to produce cement – BioBasedTiles® is launched as a new product to transform the construction sector.
With the help of bacteria, this tile grew in less than three days. It’s 20% lighter than a concrete block but three times stronger and does not require kiln firing. A real milestone!
2023
... What if?
After a decade of StoneCycling’s success, founder Tom van Soest returns to his roots by re-establishing his graduation project ‘Blended Materials’ into a design studio focused on waste and design.
StoneCycling as a company has come a long way. Yet it feels the journey just started. To increase the positive impact on architecture and the construction industry, the StoneCycling mission gets tweaked to: advancing the development, use and reuse of planet-friendly aesthetic building materials.
New partnerhips are made with Fassat Gevelsystemen (the detachable “Beyond Wall System”) and Circular Matters (CornWall). CornWall is a 100% biodegradable wall finishing material crafted from plant-based biomass. It is available in 2 sizes and 8 colours.
2024 -
Moving Mountains
StoneCyling has come a long way, but the journey to a circular world is only just starting. From large and small building facades to the interiors of houses, offices, cafes and restaurants, the team can’t wait to transform even more tons of waste into unique spaces around the world!
Together with StoneCycling’s strong global network of pioneering architects, real estate developers, retail clients, and builders, a hard push will be made for a fast transition of the construction industry.
Will you join?
