What happens to badminton shuttlecocks once they are damaged and discarded? Benjamin Moreau, technician familiar with composite materials and badminton player in his spare time, the question was often asked. Until the creation of the start-up Compo’Plume in Nantes, the answer was simple: nothing. Badminton shuttlecocks at the end of their life were simply thrown in the trash, while their composition of cork and goose feathers offers a certain potential for recycling and reuse in the industry.
Benjamin Moreau began to be interested in recycling steering wheels in 2019. At that time, no sector existed. In less than four years, what was just a bet has transformed into a business whose turnover expected to double in 2023, going from 45,000 to 90,000 euros. And the projects are multiplying. After the ruffles, the company aims to create a duck feather recycling sector.
From self-employed to SAS
As for the badminton shuttlecocks, from the idea to the business, everything had to be built. “I started by trying to learn more, about what it meant. I didn’t get anything from the manufacturers, so I asked the 2,000 badminton clubs in France what was their average consumption per year,” says the entrepreneur. Around 10% of clubs took part in the game, and helped draw the outlines of a first estimate.
“We thought we were dealing with 25 tonnes of waste per year. Knowing thata shuttlecock weighs 5 gramsthis represents an already immense number of used steering wheels [5 millions, NDLR] which end up in the trash. Ultimately, the real numbers are much more important, because manufacturers have since provided us with more precise data. We would rather be around 40 tonnes,” continues the founder of Compo’Plume. Which represents more than 8 million shuttlecocks.
Convinced that he has a promising concept, Benjamin Moreau created Compo’Plume in 2019, alongside his job as a technician in aeronautics. He adopted the self-employed regime and quickly generated a little turnover. And then he decides to speed up. “To gain credibility with my partners, I switched to SAS in January 2023,” explains the entrepreneur. The opportunity also to bring two partners alongside him: a partner involved in operations who holds 23% of the shares, and an investor with 10%.
And also furniture manufacturer
Compo’Plume aims to build a network for collecting and recycling badminton shuttlecocks throughout France. To begin, we must convince as many clubs as possible to participate. “We have received the support of the French Badminton Federation which has contributed to the shipping cost since October 2022,” assures the manager. Pre-paid collection boxes are sent to participating clubs who only have to send them back to Compo’Plume once filled with shuttlecocks. “A box of 800 shuttlecocks costs around 27 euros. We do not make a profit on it, it is only a matter of covering transport costs,” explains Benjamin Moreau.
Badminton shuttlecocks are then transformed into a technical material that can be used in different fields, such as furnishings and sound insulation. “At the beginning, I imagined transforming them into plates – in particular acoustic panels – so that the furniture and fittings manufacturers could reuse them. Ultimately, we preferred to produce furniture ourselves,” says Benjamin Moreau.
Compo’Plume is therefore a company that collects and recycles used badminton shuttlecocks, and also a manufacturer of coffee tables, bistro tables and high tables. By internalizing this production, the entrepreneur captures more added value and maintains an attractive margin. “We have launched a small range, in BtoB, aimed mainly at hotels and restaurants,” he continues. His best-seller: a large restaurant table.
Compo’Plume transforms old badminton shuttlecocks into restaurant tables. -DR
Valorization of duck feathers
Other professionals have also called on the Nantes company, the AFP for example for cafeteria tables from its Parisian headquarters. Only the metal feet are produced elsewhere, at “a partner located about thirty minutes from our workshop,” explains Benjamin Moreau.
For the moment the steering wheels are mainly used for the manufacture of furniture, but Compo’Plume hopes to realize its initial idea of producing acoustic panels. “Which we hope would make us grow even faster.” »
While awaiting a commercial launch planned for fall 2023, Compo’Plume is not closing any doors and is considering new outlets. Both regarding the reuse of badminton shuttlecocks and for the recycling of other atypical materials. His first project will quickly come to fruition. The company received a grant of 110,000 euros from Ademe and the Pays-de-la-Loire region to set up a sector for the valorization of large farmed duck feathers.
2023-09-25 14:59:53
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