In eight years, Marc van Heijden managed to scale up his startup, TRIBOO, into a manufacturer of fully circular office furnishings. Just recently, engineering firm Movares Group chose TRIBOO, based in Zevenhuizen, to redesign 1,000 workstations across six locations.

With a revolutionary new concept, sustainable entrepreneur Marc van der Heijden is taking the next step in circular entrepreneurship. NeverEnding Furniture is a globally scalable network of 3D printers designed to print furniture parts locally from locally recycled plastic based on TRIBOO designs. What’s the current status?

“We have robotic printing units installed at partner locations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovakia, Australia, and Abu Dhabi.

Here’s how it works: We recently received an order from a customer in Abu Dhabi for twenty bar tables from our collection. In the old economy, you’d have to drive a shipment of tables to the Port of Rotterdam and load them onto a ship for transport. In our model, we send the specifications digitally to our local partner in Abu Dhabi in a millisecond. Within two days, the order was printed and ready for delivery.”

“The raw material is 100% recycled natural fibers and plastics, which are essentially available anywhere in the world. The only logistics involved is transportation to the customer in the immediate vicinity. The benefits are enormous: no overseas freight costs, no storage, and no inventory, as well as reduced use of raw materials and lower CO₂ emissions.”

The furniture is “never-ending” because it can always be recycled into material for printing new products. This principle also applies to another TRIBOO innovation: greengridz panels as an alternative to conventional furniture boards. Table and desk tops made from greengridz are much lighter, stronger, use 60–90% less material, and have a 60 percent lower carbon footprint.

Why did Movares choose TRIBOO, which is still a relatively small player in this market?

“We won the bid because we scored exceptionally well on sustainability and, with greengridz, we deliver a high-quality product. Roughly speaking, we can complete this project using 12,000 kg fewer raw materials than a traditional office design would require. CO₂ emissions are many times lower.”

Is the partnership based on "furniture as a service"? What does that mean?

“We retain ownership and handle the maintenance of the desks, conference tables, and other pieces of furniture. Movares has a subscription with us. If furniture becomes surplus to our needs over time, we take it back and put it back on the market. Or we disassemble it and recover raw materials for new products, without any downcycling. The value is preserved.”

The Province of South Holland is a leader when it comes to sustainability. One wing of the provincial government building has been completely redesigned. What was your role?

“The province has offered companies in the Groene Groeiers network the opportunity to bring innovations to life. We were able to supply desks, conference tables, and acoustic screens. The most striking features are the large 3D-printed planters shaped like tulips and made from 100 percent reusable material. This project was a great showcase to demonstrate what we’re capable of.”

TRIBOO has now also taken its first step into the retail market.

“Yes, the Goossens furniture store has recently started selling tables with GreenGridz tabletops in thirty stores across the Netherlands and Belgium. For all our products, we’ve only truly succeeded in our mission when users are aware of the story behind the furniture. A truly circular future requires a radical shift in thinking—and, above all, in action. What we used to consider good, beautiful, and acceptable is no longer acceptable. We all need to make a U-turn. It’s difficult, but it’s possible.”

TRIBOO Circular Office Innovation Center

Industrial Center 2

2761 JP Zevenhuizen

www.TRIBOO.eu

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