Eseba: Upcycling textiles into lamps

With a focus on recycling textile waste more and more, entrepreneur Mathias from Eseba has created an innovative product where textiles can replace PVC in lampshades. Together with DTU and designer Tom Rossau, they have tested the product and created a more circular lamp.

From Studies to Startup

In 2021, 53,000 tonnes of textile waste were incinerated in Denmark, and only 600 tonnes were recycled. Turning textile waste into new materials is difficult and expensive. Mathias wanted to change that, so in 2023, he started Eseba.

Mathias is studying for a master’s degree in technology entrepreneurship at DTU but has taken a leave to pursue his startup dream.

Eseba is a startup that transforms textile scraps into new hard materials, such as lampshades.

Our solution is that we take textiles from sorting plants and turn them into our hard mouldable material, which can end up in lamps, chairs, table tops, etc. – Mathias Raae, Founder, Eseba

Mathias and the partner group behind a knowledge bridge project have created a strong foundation for further development of a circular product that can make the clothing and interior design industry more sustainable.

The material has proven to fulfil the technical requirements for use in Tom Rossau’s lamps – Mathias Raae, Eseba

Alternative to the traditional

Eseba has collaborated with lamp designer Tom Rossau to develop a new textile lamp. Together, they have shared experiences and design requirements to ensure a functional and aesthetic lamp can be sold to consumers.

The idea is that the material is cured through an innovative process using organic chemistry to replace PVC-coated paper. PVC is a plastic material also known as vinyl.

Eseba and Tom Rossau have shared their feedback and experiences with DTU, which has played a central role in the project. DTU has helped develop a frame that allows textile material to be attached. At the same time, Eseba has created a platform for using organic chemistry due to DTU.

DTU has contributed with valuable knowledge that has strengthened our professional insight and understanding in the field – Mathias Raae, Eseba

A new light is switched on for a green transition

At the end of the project, Eseba has not switched off the lights—quite the opposite. Instead, they plan to present their lamp and develop new products, such as a work desk.

We are looking into new places, such as tables where there is a larger volume. We can reduce textile waste and replace raw material from the wood and plastic industry – Mathias Raae, Eseba

The Knowledge Bridge project has created positive results for Mathias and Eseba, which has switched on another lamp for the green transition. A lamp that can potentially increase the recycling rate of textile waste.