2024 FEIBP Innovation Award
By Alice Castle, Brush Expert Ltd | Photo by Brush Expert Ltd
Echoing the spirit of advancement within the FEIBP itself, three companies proudly presented their innovations to the audience this year during the Opening Session of the FEIBP 64th Congress. Each company was also allocated a display space within the Brush Forum, enabling delegates to find out more about each product or concept ahead of the ballot to find a winner.
Ebnat | “Loop” Dish Brush (Winner)
Loop was born out of our quest for ever more sustainable products, combined with the desire for a “state-of-the-art design.” This innovative lifestyle dish brush is not only stylish, handy and efficient, but it has also been thought through down to the smallest detail in terms of sustainability. Three important features emphasize this:
Material-saving design: The handle consists only of a frame that encloses the brush head. The brush head itself is also kept minimalist thanks to the hole. Compared to our lightest interchangeable head dish brush to date, we have been able to reduce material consumption by around 50 percent.
Recycling material: The brush head is made of 95 percent post-consumer recycled polypropylene (PCR), while the bristles are made of 100 percent post-industrial recycled polyester (PIR). In this way, we give plastic a second life.
Extended service life: The handle can be used again and again thanks to the interchangeable heads.
Loop also has a distinctive, purist design and comes with a practical, large hanging hole that is suitable for all standard hooks. To top it all off, Loop is made in Switzerland and the key features include:
• Brush head with effective ring punching
• Stable and lightweight
• Easy changing of the heads
• Practical to hang up
• Washable in the dishwasher and longer hygienic durability
• Material savings of 50 percent
Without compromising on quality and effectiveness, Ebnat has once again demonstrated how simple changes can be made with great impact.
Borghi | ECO-FILL Concept
Have you ever imagined that you could produce a fully plastic brush with conventional technology? With the now-known effects of industrial activities on global warming, the brush industry needs to change. Following the establishment of the first EU circular economy action plan in 2015, now is the time to develop new methods and materials to minimize the environmental impact of production and consumption.
The circular economy is a model whose aim is to extend the life cycle of products through sharing, leasing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials. In practice, it implies reducing waste to a minimum. When a product reaches the end of its life, its materials are kept within the economy wherever possible thanks to recycling.
Products composed of different materials are harder to separate and recycle. Enter the ECO-FILL concept which uses a polymer anchor (rather than the traditional metal staple) to set tufts into a plastic block.
The ECO-FILL concept can, for example, be added to Borghi’s new STARGATE machine which was launched at WBE24 and is its first fully automatic vertical machine for brushes and brooms. STARGATE can be used with metal staples or its cam head can be revised to accommodate the ECO-FILL concept, becoming a more versatile machine, giving the operator the opportunity to achieve fully plastic, fully recyclable brushes.
Borna Arbeits- und Wohngemeinschaft
Pet Brushes and Personalisation
As one of the first-time attendees to the FEIBP Congress, it was great to see Borna participating in this year’s Innovation Award. Founded in 1931 by a man who had lost his sight, Borna quickly became established as an employer of the blind, producing baskets and brushes. Today, Borna’s mission is to provide care, health promotion and employment for those who need support in the area of psychosocial independence and/or a sensory/physical impairment. With individual care offered, Borna allows the clientele to strengthen their identity, take on responsibility and learn to deal with the environment.
With living space for 85 clients and working space for 155, Borna is steadily growing and will move to a new facility in August 2025, where living and working will be possible with greater efficiency. It currently employs 15 clients in its brush-making division, ranging from 19 to 73 years of age. As well as 58 stock items, Borna accepts special custom orders made to the customers’ specifications.
Animal Brushes
Borna’s new products include a range of animal brushes for horses, cats and dogs. Borna says, “We create animal brushes according to your templates and wishes. Thanks to our wide range of different filling materials, we can equip the animal brushes entirely according to your wishes. You can even determine the length of the filling material yourself. We also offer the option of personalizing your pet brush with our laser. Immortalize a name or even a photo on the brush you have assembled yourself!”
The new animal brushes key features are:
Handmade: Each of Borna’s brushes is absolutely handmade and has been drawn without any mechanical help.
Individual: You decide what to use. Borna offers a wide range of brush bodies and filling materials.
High quality: Borna only uses high-quality materials for the brush body and filling materials.
The Borna vision: Borna strengthens community spirit and promotes a life of self-determination and autonomy.
ABOUT THE WRITER:
Alice Castle is the Editorial Director at www.brushexpert.com — the online magazine, directory and networking portal for the global brush industry.
