Innovation

The shoes are made from 90% recycled materials. As explained by the founder, footballs are made primarily from polyurethane, which is recycled and used in the shoe-making process. Moreover, the laces are made out of recycled plastic bottles, and leather finishing is made from apple skin waste sourced from supermarkets. 

The shoes incorporate elements of the footballs, such as the characteristic black and white patches, making each pair unique. New models are also in development using waste from other sports, such as racing tires, aiming for a sneaker line for each major sport. As Antoine explains: “We use waste from the sport that we like to do something good”.

Lastly, Balao is currently partnering up with local Belgian football clubs, such as RAAL La Louvière and Union Saint-Gilloise, to create customized sneakers for each customer. As indicated in the website, the eco-friendly materials used at Balao are an innovation serving the planet. 

Inspiration

The inspiration behind Balao Shoes came about due to the founder's dissatisfaction with a conventional job as a consultant and the desire to become an independent freelancer. Antoine wanted a career he could be proud of, where he could do good for the planet and society. 

The idea for business was first sparked over a casual conversation with a group of friends focusing on hobbies and making a positive impact. As Antoine told us: “We had an idea over a beer to start a project together.”

Balao Shoes was born from the passion for sport, especially football, and the founder's concern for the environment. In short, he was determined to turn his hobby into a career, while making the fashion industry more sustainable.

Overall impact

This simple but compelling idea of giving sports waste a second life led to a project that was both creative and sustainable. In a short time, Balao grew tremendously through media coverage, outlets in certain shops, and partnerships with football clubs in Belgium, among others. The company's impact goes beyond just making sneakers. The effect is visible on an ecological, economic and social level, growing rapidly. 

In the short term, Balao aims to reduce waste. As Antoine pointed out: "We gave new life to more than 300 soccer balls since the beginning in just a few months". The company's idea is to reduce waste and avoid significant CO2 emissions, as each football represents around 7 kg of CO2 emissions. The manufacturing process takes place in Portugal under good working conditions. This, together with the wide media coverage the company is already getting, ensures that both awareness and commitment are created among both consumers and partners. 

In the long term, Balao is working towards a structural change in handling sports waste. Sustainable partnerships with professional clubs in Belgium, such as Standard de Liège, provide financial stability and economies of scale, further supporting the business model. 

The ultimate goal of the founders is to eventually have its own recycling and production facility in Belgium, which will allow Balao to set up a fully circular and local production process. Together with his co-founder, Arthur, the two founders show that creativity, sustainability and entrepreneurship can reinforce each other.

Business benefit

The launch of the Balao Shoes was made possible by leveraging pre-orders to limit the capital and inventory required to start the business. As Antoine explained: “To finance our production, we did a pre-order… so we didn’t have to pre-finance the stock.” The approach was possible thanks to the appeal of the innovation to the broad base of football fans who are eager to wear shoes made from their favorite clubs’ footballs. This unique combination of creatively designed and environmentally sustainable product offers customers a guilt-free shopping experience and gives Balao a distinctive competitive advantage in the market.

Balao shoes are sold through 3 distinct channels: directly to consumers via the website, through retail partners and in collaboration with football clubs. These club partnerships create a strong symbiotic effect, where Balao products are sold as merchandise resulting in large bulk orders, with 200 pairs sold within the first month alone. Simultaneously the clubs benefit from waste reduction by upcycling the footballs, and an improved image. 

The company is co-run by Antoine and Arthur, supported by a flexible network of freelance professionals in design, photography and other key areas. This business model keeps the cost down while maintaining the high levels of quality. In summary, Balao’s innovation is proving it’s possible to turn a profit, make a meaningful difference in the world and look stylish at the same time!

Social and environmental benefit

At the core of Balao’s mission is a simple yet truly powerful idea of turning waste into something that people are proud to wear. Waste that would otherwise end up in landfill is turned into stylish high-quality sneakers. Every football emits about seven kilograms of CO₂ through its whole lifecycle and they are made mainly out of polyurethane. Balao intercepts these footballs prior to the point when they are disposed of, which reduces even further environmental harm plus it shows just how design and sustainability truly go hand in hand.

Since the beginning of Balao, the company has repurposed over 300 discarded footballs collected from local community members along with professional football clubs. The initiative does not just reduce waste but it also encourages a broader culture that involves recycling and community participation and this invites people to contribute their old sports equipment for the cause.

Balao deliberately chose Portugal, a country known for its transparency along with fair labor standards, for manufacturing. “In the footwear industry, conditions are often quite problematic,” the founder says, “but our Portuguese manufacturer maintains high standards our customers can trust.” Consumers have peace of mind because this credibility builds transparency so they know their purchase supports the planet and people.

As the founder puts it: “The people who buy our shoes can have a better feeling about the clothes they wear.” 

Balao proves fashion sustainability can be practical not just theoretical. From the sole imprints of some recycled footballs to the very ethical hands that then assemble each pair, Balao’s sneakers vision is a more sustainable and socially responsible future.

Interview

Antoine Kecskes, Founder