Точка Синхронізації

Spanish entrepreneurs Alejandro and Sofía Ortiz launched a sustainable circular economy initiative in Vigo, Spain, this week to combat maritime pollution by transforming discarded fishing nets into high-quality stadium seating and interior decorations. The siblings established their venture, Gravity Wave, to address the staggering amount of plastic waste accumulating in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, providing a functional second life for materials that would otherwise drift as 'ghost nets' or end up in landfills. By collaborating with local fishermen and port authorities, the team has created a supply chain that incentivizes the collection of damaged synthetic gear directly from the source. The technical process involves collecting nylon and polyester nets, which are then cleaned, shredded, and melted down into plastic pellets. These pellets serve as the raw material for 3D printing and industrial molding, allowing the company to manufacture durable, weather-resistant products suited for large-scale infrastructure projects. Their flagship product—recycled stadium seats—has already garnered interest from major European football clubs looking to reduce their carbon footprints and meet tightening environmental regulations. This transition from waste to furniture not only cleans the ocean but also significantly reduces the energy consumption typically required to produce virgin plastic products. Beyond industrial seating, the brother-and-sister duo has expanded their catalog to include office furniture and acoustic panels, proving that recycled marine plastic can meet aesthetic and structural standards for high-end design. The business model relies on a 'plastic neutral' philosophy, where corporate partners sponsor the collection of specific weights of plastic from the sea to offset their own environmental impact. As the European Union continues to push for stricter waste management policies, the Ortiz siblings' model serves as a scalable blueprint for how grassroots innovations can tackle global ecological crises while maintaining commercial viability.