Two Americans invented the fabric from plastic bottles.Business for small - to bring the idea up to the buyer

The appearance of the first major client - a great success for a startup.Ask Tyson Tussal and Tim Coombs, founder of New York-based Return Textiles

, manufacturer of fabrics for "green" technologies. Former classmates, lovers of outdoor activities, spent six years on the development of tissue Bionic Yarn. In the production of this material are usually empty plastic bottles, wrapped on the blend of polyester and cotton twists. "We wanted to create a brand that everyone will associate with high quality, such as Gore-Tex», - says Coombes. The fact that the thread is practically out of the garbage - it's hook, he adds: "If we are correct will submit an idea, we can stand."

Not only to get a large customer

But saying is easier said than done. Four years ago Tussal and Coombs was not a single buyer. So when producer expensive shoes Cole Haan, owned by Nike, ordered a 2700 m Bionic Yarn for $ 13 per square meter for a new series of bags, the entrepreneurs are very glad. However, in an advertising campaign Cole Haan with tennis player Maria Sharapova was no word on Bionic Yarn , and that the bags are made of new, environmentally friendly material. Multi-page description attached to the bag contained only a brief mention of Bionic Yarn. Bags sold out within a few months, and with Coombes Tussal too late to realize that missed an excellent opportunity to present their product to buyers.

Patented material in 2009, entrepreneurs have made several attempts to inform clients about the Bionic Yarn and during production. That same year, rapper Pharrell Williams has invested "six-figure sum" to the company, receiving a 30% stake. These investments allowed to hire designers who have developed a nice brochure and a new website with colorful diagrams showing the manufacturing process Bionic Yarn.

Second attempt

The next task - to find influential customers that are willing to show the brand Bionic best. This role is well suited Timberland, which promotes the materials with outstanding performance and environmental advocates.Tussal Coombs and sought the attention of the company for a year before being able to meet with the group on the development of advanced materials. Timberland requested tissue samples in four different thicknesses and in 40 colors.

"For us it was a nightmare" - says Coombes. To purchase enough raw materials to fulfill the order, he had to take a loan for $ 200,000 from an investor in green technologies (his name he did not disclose). All ended well: Timberland spring launches a series of 80 models of shoes, jackets and sneakers from Bionic Yarn, its representatives confidently say that Bionic Yarn at 30% stronger than the sheet and dries 30% faster. As part of a marketing campaign to reinvent Tarpaulins »Timberland has agreed to put the name of Bionic on a special label and pay for advertisements in stores, illustrates how a thread.

Last year, revenue Return Textiles was $ 1.3 million, the company revamped the 1.7 million plastic bottles. Tussal and Coombs are hoping to triple revenues in 2011 thanks to Timberland and smaller transactions - with the Italian sportswear manufacturer Moncler and the London retailer Topshop. " We need partners who are ready to tell your story so that the customer understands it , "- advises Tussal other inventors.

source: forbes.ru