High-end furniture with discarded woods

• Grant number: 23/10501-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Agreement: SEBRAE-SP
• Principal Investigator: Fabiane Teixeira de Jesus
• Grantee: Fabiane Teixeira de Jesus
• Company: 52.864.792 Fabiane Teixeira de Jesus
• CNAE: Fabricação de móveis com predominância de madeira ; Tratamento e disposição de resíduos não-perigosos ; Criação artística
• City: Campinas
• Associated researchers: Ana Beatriz Carvalho Fernandes Braga
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/05337-8 - High-end furniture with discarded woods, BP.PIPE

Abstract

The objective of this proposal is a process of transforming discarded woods into high-end furniture. It is justified as it aligns with the National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12.305/2010, Article 6, Item VIII), which recognizes reusable and recyclable solid waste as an economic asset with social value, generating employment, income, and promoting citizenship. It is aimed at the "utilization of solid waste without biological, physical, or physicochemical transformation" (Law No. 12.305/2010, Article 3, Item XVIII). The raw material used in the perspective I have been developing, carpentry with artCRAFT, consists of pallet wood, tree pruning branches, roof timbers, decks, and other woods that seem to have no value. My hypothesis is that the integration of art/design, sustainability, and specific techniques for this type of material enables the construction of furniture and other pieces with high market value, offering aesthetic and sensory comfort, and high durability - which directly contributes to the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere and, consequently, to the reduction of the effects of climate change. Additionally, by expanding the use of discarded woods, we also discard the possibility of them being incinerated, which would produce more destructive environmental effects. This is a pioneering idea: in the furniture market, on one end, there are high-end wooden furniture built with fine woods and/or sophisticated equipment and/or skilled craftsmanship, using high-quality materials; on the completely opposite end, there are furniture made from discarded woods, but in an improvised manner, with sometimes inadequate finishing and/or lacking durability. The proposal I present is outside of this spectrum. Therefore, the potential competitors are indirect; among them would be 1) companies that produce traditional high-end furniture, made with conventional woods or even MDF, 2) carpentry shops that use discarded woods, although they do not address the artistic and aesthetic aspects we focus on, and 3) companies or artisans that produce custom furniture, especially if they emphasize the exclusivity and quality of their products. The potential paying customers of furniture produced from the perspective of carpentry with artCRAFT seek solutions that combine aesthetic and sustainable aspects with pieces that are functional and durable. Among them are: 1) conscious consumers, who have environmental concerns and seek products that align with sustainable practices, 2) architects and interior designers aligned with the perspective of Biophilic Design, 3) individuals who seek unique and storied furniture, such as design enthusiasts, collectors, and buyers of custom furniture, 4) businesses in the hospitality sector, such as hotels and restaurants, who often seek furniture that reflects their brand image and offers a unique experience to guests, and 5) corporate enterprises, a sector increasingly seeking sustainable furniture to improve their image and provide a more eco-friendly work environment. My GOAL, once the proposal is approved, is to explore/test/validate experimental techniques that I have been developing and overcome two challenges: the waterproofing of the woods so that plants can be included within the furniture itself without compromising its structure, and 2) the calculation of furniture structures and assembly to optimize the production time, which is currently burdensome due to trial and error. The estimated time for the development cycle of the technological solution idea would be around three years. The technological solution idea, once validated and feasible, will only depend on the time needed for a launch campaign, as it does not require regulatory approvals and certifications. (AU)