Innovation

SomeThin collaborates with Stoneable NV, which supplies its raw materials, namely wafer-thin natural stone. Stoneable NV occasionally has surpluses or waste during its production process and SomeThin uses these surpluses or waste to produce wafer-thin and durable placemats or coasters. In other words, one company's waste or surplus is the raw material for another company's product.

The company was founded in 2020 and has since expanded its range of wafer-thin placemats and coasters made of natural stone. SomeThin is pioneering the food and beverage industry with its product and setting new standards in this sector. They are introducing a pioneering solution to the age-old use of paper placemats and coasters to an existing market. One of the advantages of natural stone is that it is a very sustainable resource: it lasts a long time, it can be reused or refurbished, it is almost non-recyclable (due to its thinness), and so on. They also offer customers the option of turning in their used placemats for a discount on the next purchase.

SomeThin's contribution to the SDGs includes the following SDGs: SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) because they are the first and the only ones to create a new product from the surplus of natural stone. SDG 13 (Climate Action) because they offer an eco-friendly alternative to existing products made of paper, leather or plastic that are bad for the environment, thereby reducing carbon footprints. Also, SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth) is important because they produce locally in Belgium and contribute to local economic growth. Last and most important, SomeThin contributes to SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production) because it produces its products responsibly by not allowing raw materials to be mined but using them from another company's waste or surplus, and responsible consumption by encouraging consumers to return their products to SomeThin at the end of their useful life so they can reuse or recycle them.

Inspiration

Henri Driessen's visionary leadership was sparked by witnessing surplus issues in his father's company, Stoneable, which primarily covers the floors and walls of large hotels. Henri noticed that the company frequently needed help with large surpluses, which had to be placed in containers, incurring costs. This was disadvantageous for Stoneable. Henri said: "2 years ago, I saw all these surpluses at my father's company and this got me and my friends thinking". They later launched their product, marking the beginning of their new venture. SomeThin focuses on creating placemats and coasters from natural stone. As a result of this innovation, Stoneable can dispose of its surpluses for free, and SomeThin has access to an inexpensive and sustainable product. Henri's innovation mitigated Stoneable's surplus problem and birthed a sustainable solution with a tangible global impact. Somethin's study revealed staggering statistics - annually, billions of kilograms of paper waste, animal lives, and vast amounts of water are sacrificed for traditional placemat production. SomeThin's innovation disrupts this destructive cycle.

Overall impact

When Henri saw a gap in the market and developed his product in response to all of this overproduction, he and his partners also wanted to ensure that this innovation was effectively sustainable, which was the case. They conducted a study on paper placemats in restaurants, which revealed that globally, 5.4 billion kilograms of paper waste is discarded annually due to these paper placemats. It was also discovered that globally, 50 thousand animals were killed for producing leather placemats.

The unexpected findings of this study were an extra motivation for Henri and his collaborators to continue with their innovation, as they could considerably lessen these negative consequences of creating paper, leather, or fabric placemats through their sustainable placemats. The company's commitment to the circular economy extends beyond manufacturing. They plan to repurpose used placemats into other products, showcasing a dedication to sustainability rarely seen in businesses today. These products, such as placemats, could then be used, for example, to produce other items, such as keychains.

They also have a unique product not found anywhere else in Europe, which changes the game by making natural stone much lighter. This opens opportunities for growth and new ideas and makes the product more appealing to customers. Being the only ones with this exceptional product, thanks to a family connection with Stonable, gives them the freedom to be creative without worrying about copycats. Their net positive impact goes hand in hand with their sustainability. For example, with reasonable care, their placemats can be used for more than four years, saving restaurants money compared to constantly buying paper ones. They also have a bright future with their easy and efficient manufacturing processes. They can automate things, making meeting the demand for their products quicker. In a nutshell, SomeThin positively impacts by being unique, sustainable, and ready for more growth.

SomeThin can certainly further increase its ecological impact in the future. Their impact resonates not only in environmental conservation but in eliminating unsustainable market options like leather or paper placemats, setting a new standard for eco-consciousness and creating a net positive impact on the environment.

Business benefit

What makes SomeThin so unique is undoubtedly their product. Nowhere in Europe is this available, and the options for expansion and continued innovation are endless. One of the most significant disadvantages is eliminated by producing natural stone so thinly, namely the heavy weight of natural stone. This ensures that SomeThin can not only reduce transportation costs in the future but also capture the attractiveness of the consumer.

Although SomeThin only focuses on placemats and coasters, the company must stand up. Their next idea is to create a nightstand made of natural stone with an integrated lamp, providing a subtle light in the evening. "Ideal if you suddenly need to go to the toilet at night," Robin, the company's financial manager, explained.

Because the company also has exclusivity, they do not have to deal with copycats. Thanks to the excellent connection between Stonable and SomeThin, one owned by the father and the other by the son, they are the only ones who can use the multifunctional product. This provides much room for thought and ensures that the company does not have to worry about competitors wanting to do the same.

Think of all the climate requirements that Europe imposes on companies. SomeThin is the perfect example of how you can have a sharp business model with a sustainable product. Because their products do not deteriorate, they are much more appealing to consumers.

Finally, the possibility of scalability is undeniably something that can open many doors in the future. The process that precedes the manufacture of a placemat can be divided into laser cutting, sanding, and impregnating. These processes can not only be done by themselves, which is economically advantageous, but they are also fully automatic and, thus, only require a little time. This ensures that they can automate their processes in the future and continue to meet customer expectations.

Social and environmental benefit

The product SomeThin uses is environmentally friendly and contributes to the climate. Typically, the excess natural stone from Stonable would be incinerated, releasing carbon dioxide (especially from stones with high organic content). SomeThin repurposes these waste remnants, creating a new product from them.

However, they do not stop there. Henri even mentioned plans to collect the placemats after a few years and repurpose them into keychains, emphasizing their commitment to the circular economy, which Henri strongly emphasizes. Furthermore, their products drive out less environmentally friendly alternatives, such as leather or paper placemats.

Interviews

Henri Driessen, CEO & Founder

Robin Vranckx, Financial Director