Turning textile waste
into opportunities:
discover CROCUS

Our origin:
from a surprise box to
an innovative project

In 2021, we entered an industrial design contest without imagining it would change our future. The challenge: create five products using only the materials assigned in a surprise box.

Just a few steps from the door, we opened it and found only textile waste inside. Nothing else. We tried to return it—"There must be a mistake, this is textile and we do product!"—but the rule was clear: you had to create with what you got. The only way forward was to transform those textiles into a structure.

We began researching, digging through theses and global studies, looking for ways to harden textiles without worsening the environmental impact.

What followed was a marathon of failed attempts: sticky, messy, unpleasant mixtures. There were moments of deep frustration, even thoughts of quitting… and when we thought all hope was lost, we gave it one last push and bam! Just in time for the contest deadline, we found the perfect combination: a solid structure made of textile sheets, similar to MDF but lighter, more versatile, and moldable.

The home lab,
where the sustainable
material is born

At first, everything was handmade. We focused on creating decor and accessories, always exploring the potential of this material which we still didn’t fully understand or know its uses.

In 2022, after attending fairs, showcasing our pieces, and selling our first products, things began to change. We had improved the binder formula, and with each step, new questions arose:
What exactly is this material? How do we classify it? Could it absorb sound since it’s made of fabric? How far can we take it?

Step by step, we experimented with new dyes, shape variations, and even grinding, expanding its possibilities.

With each test, our hypothesis grew stronger: this material could become a modular solution for thermal and wall covering, made from textile waste.

The drive to grow:
innovation, support,
and recognition

As our material evolved, so did our dream.
It was no longer just an initial idea — we began to envision its potential impact in real construction projects.That’s when we secured funding from ANDE and ANII - VIN2023, and a new challenge emerged: First, we had to define what this material actually was.

When we arrived at the laboratories, there was a big question mark:
How do you test it?, It’s not textile, but it’s neither wood nor plastic. What standard applies to something completely new?

Perseverance played its part: while some sought answers abroad, we found them through close collaboration with several laboratories in Uruguay.

Thanks to the support of various institutions, we carried out technical validations confirming its properties: thermal insulation, fire resistance, resistance to fungi, and soundproofing capabilities.

In 2024, we were selected by Uruguay Circular, receiving our first award for innovation in circular economy, as well as the Arenas Emprendedora #20 award from ORT. These recognitions not only validated all our work, but also opened doors to new networks and collaborations.

Today, with that momentum, we continue growing and envisioning new uses and destinations for our material, always with a focus on positive impact and innovation.

Designing impact:
circular economy & SDGs/ODS

Turning textile waste into concrete opportunities is at the heart of our circular model.
We build partnerships with companies to transform their own waste, like unused uniforms, into bricks that return to their spaces: as wall panels, thermal insulation, or even as direct support for schools and community centers in need.

Each project not only closes the waste loop but also adds social and environmental value, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, ODS in Spanish). From waste reduction to promoting gender equality and creating public-private partnerships, our actions aim to design real, measurable impact.

Today, CROCUS is more than a material: it’s a concrete proposal to build a more circular, inclusive, and responsible future, together.

The story behind
the CROCUS logo

The crocus flower is the source of saffron, traditionally harvested mostly by women in delicate, manual, and meticulous work. Its collection is a true team effort: each flower is picked by hand and its stigmas carefully removed.

This symbol reflects not only our roots (since saffron is grown both in Uruguay and Spain, just like us), but also the values that guide us: equality, collaboration, sensitivity, essence, and passion.

But crocus is also a flower that blooms after winter, even through snow. For us, it’s a symbol of resilience—the ability to transform what once seemed worthless into something new, useful, and full of purpose.
Just as this flower marks the start of a new cycle, our project seeks to open the way toward a more conscious and circular industry.

It’s no coincidence this flower is also linked to design: for centuries it has been used to dye textiles and flavor food.
Like our project, it blends purpose and creativity to transform waste into valuable materials.

Our Purpose🌱

To innovate consciously, creating with ingenuity and responsibility.
We transform textile waste into design and construction solutions that add value, reduce impact, and open new possibilities.

Our Value Proposition ♻️

We help companies close their production cycle sustainably: we upcycle their own textile waste into useful and aesthetic cladding and thermal insulation.
This way, they not only reduce waste but also generate positive impact by building spaces with responsible and innovative materials.

Reseñas

I love your designs and the fact that they’re sustainable. Congratulations on building a healthier environment with super innovative products made from textile waste.
Beautiful work!

Florencia Cabana

★★★★★

You offer a creative solution to textile waste. Keep it up. You’re on the right path.

Following Crocus’s journey from its first fairs to today is truly inspiring. It’s a project that shows how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand, turning an environmental problem into real opportunities.

★★★★★

★★★★★

Paola Brena

Lucía Dutra