DiFOLD's mission is to change the single-use culture.
DiFOLD Origami Bottle
Fits the life you live.
DiFOLD's designs applications.
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Name of the submitted project or idea (in English or both English and your language)
DiFOLD Origami Bottle
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URL of a video introducing the work(under 5 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VcuHVXgk1E&ab_channel=DiFOLD
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Detailed explanation of the submitted project or idea (in English or both English and your language)
DiFOLD is on a mission to fight single-use packaging and spread ReUse. We own a utility patent that covers a wide spectrum of collapsible geometrical patterns that fold like origami, and this allows us to create diverse, space-saving foldable products - from bottles to barrels.
We start with a pioneering lifestyle product - the Origami Bottle. It is the first foldable bottle made of PLANT-based material. The material is made of sustainably sourced rapeseed and is 100% food-safe and BPA/BPS-free. With 750 ml in capacity, the bottle magically folds down at 90% of its volume, offering a unique blend of compactness and rigidity.
Most collapsible bottles are made of silicone and are soft, flimsy and unstable. The Origami Bottle stands out with its rigidity when unfolded, offering the sturdiness and stability of a standard bottle while being foldable. It’s perfect for a variety of uses - from daily commuting to travelling and outdoor adventures. We are proud to have garnered some of the most prestigious recognitions, such as the Red Dot Award, iF Design Award and German Sustainability Design Award.
Our vision extends beyond just one product. We aim to revolutionise the packaging industry with a diverse portfolio of foldable items - from everyday bottles and cups to larger containers like kegs and barrels.
In essence, the Origami Bottle is more than just a novel sustainable bottle – it symbolizes a commitment to change the single-use culture, as we say: "a small bottle for humans and a big step in the Revolution of packaging." DiFOLD's journey is just beginning, and we're dedicated to paving the way for a future where ReUse is not just an option but a norm. -
How does your work address the 3 P’s (for Planet, for People, for Profit) for Sustainability?
Planet: Impact-Driven circular products
At DiFOLD, our mission to contribute to a world with less single-use packaging is at the core of our existence. We are committed to creating the best foldable reusable products that are sustainably made and last long. In the coming 2024 year, we will pursue a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for the Origami Bottle. By evaluating our environmental impact, we will not only promote transparency but actively seek to reduce our carbon footprint and improve the recyclability of our products. Aiming for a net positive score, we envision a future where our products contribute more to the planet than they take, embodying true circularity in every product we make.
People: Fostering ReUse Behaviour
Understanding that the pivot towards ReUse is fundamentally a human-centric endeavour, DiFOLD is dedicated to facilitating this behavioural shift. We aim to foster partnerships with educational institutions to develop curricula that advocate for sustainable living and REUSE, and we plan to support community initiatives that drive access to clean tap water, improve local recycling, and support conservation efforts. Our goal is to produce engaging, educational content that not only informs but also inspires action towards easy everyday REUSE.
Profit: Sustainable Growth and Conscious Capital
We aim to develop a business model that intrinsically balances profit with purpose. As we evolve, so too does our commitment to channel a portion of our success back into environmental causes and public initiatives we stand for. Next year we will join the “1% for the Plane”' network and establish ongoing campaigns in support of access to clean water and wildlife conservation efforts. Moreover, we aim to allocate a fund that directly goes to the development of our reusable packaging solutions. As our profitability increases, so will our contributions — reinvesting in the planet and its people. -
Where (country, region, etc.) have you primarily carried out your project?
Europe, USA
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What is the timeline your project has taken place over?
2018-Present
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Keywords
#reuse #circulareconomy #designinnovation
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If you have a website for your submitted project or idea, please provide the URL
www.difold.com
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If you have a social media account for your submitted project or idea, please provide the URL
www.instagram.com/difold.tech/
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Special Prize Question 1: Is there a mechanism in place to inherit culture and industry as assets for people living in that area 100 or even 1000 years from now?
At DiFOLD, we understand the profound responsibility that comes with innovation — not only to serve the present but to steward resources for future generations. Our foldable design technology is more than a product; it's a blueprint for sustainability that we believe has the potential to shape industry standards and cultural practices for centuries to come.
With the Origami Bottle, we kickstart a paradigm shift in consumer behaviour — prioritizing reusability, durability, and transport efficiency. Over the next 15 years, we will showcase best practices in industrial design and sustainable materials usage. By applying our foldable designs, we will expand our range of products with various foldable reusable products for drinks, food, cosmetics and homecare. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to a robust refillable packaging system. We envision our foldable products playing a crucial role in gaining widespread acceptance and optimizing logistics and storage efficiencies.
When our utility patents expire in 2038, our designs will be open-source documentation, allowing open access to more foldable innovations to come. We hope that by then we will have shown some of the best applications of our designs and these open-source designs will continue to evolve and adapt, fostering a continuous cycle of innovation in the service of the planet and its people. Furthermore, we want to engage with local educational institutions and community groups to ensure that knowledge of our foldable design technology is applied to sustainable developments.
DiFOLD's legacy is defined not just by our innovative products but more so by the circular culture we advocate — we champion: reuse, recycle, and re-imagine. It’s a commitment that transcends the lifespan of patents and profits, ensuring that the value we create now continues to benefit the environment and communities for hundreds of years into the future. -
Special Prize Question 2: What is the positive impact on biodiversity? Is the project creating a cycle not just from a human-centered perspective but for the entire ecosystem?
Reducing Waste: At DiFOLD, we recognize that the existing global plastic system, with its low 14% recycling rate, is not sustainable. Our mission goes beyond just creating alternatives to single-use packaging; we are advocating for systemic change. We believe that profound changes in regulations and product, material, and service design are imperative to remedy the waste management crisis. This decade is pivotal for us as we are set on designing a wide range of foldable reusables not only as lifestyle products but also as refillable containers that effectively replace single-use packaging, thereby contributing to a dramatic reduction in global plastic waste.
Promoting Reuse & Sustainability in Everyday Life: We envision a future where reusability is the norm, not the exception. Our vision to redefine reusability takes practical form in our efforts to facilitate innovative Deposit Return Models and modern "milkman models." With our upcoming second product - the Origami Cup we plan to partner with retail chains like Starbucks and ReFill model operators like 2GoCup to scale our impact and replace countless single-use cups, significantly reducing waste in everyday consumer habits. With every subsequent product, we’ll be looking at models where our impact can scale.
Recyclable sustainable materials:
In our quest to minimize our ecological footprint, DiFOLD prioritizes the use of fully recyclable and, wherever possible, bio-based materials. Our products are designed for durability and longevity, encouraging a shift in consumer behaviour and contributing to a lower carbon footprint from production to end-of-life.
Future Focus: Education, Community Engagement, and Innovation in Sustainability
As we grow, we are committed to investing in initiatives that resonate with our sustainability ethos. Our plans include developing Environmental Education Programs with schools and non-profit organisations, emphasising the importance of conscious reuse and recycling. Further, we aspire to support Zero-Waste Community Initiatives, contributing to the creation of ecosystems where every material is a resource for future use. Additionally, we plan to foster innovation through Sustainable Packaging Research Contests and Grants to drive innovation in eco-friendly packaging, aiding universities and startups. These targeted efforts reflect our dedication to nurturing a more sustainable world for future generations. -
Special Prize Question 3: Are you enabling new forms of collaboration with others? New forms of collaboration might include cross-industry cooperation, co-creation with consumers, or role transformations within the supply chain.
At DiFOLD, we recognize that meaningful progress in sustainability is achieved through collaborative innovation. Our approach to partnerships is multifaceted, encompassing material innovation, supply chain integration, and open licensing models.
Material Innovation Partnerships
Our pursuit of environmentally friendly and high-performance materials has led us to collaborate with Envalior (formerly DSM) to source the bio-based material Arnitel Eco for our Origami Bottle. Continuously seeking innovative TPЕ materials, we are exploring and testing alternatives that offer both environmental and performance benefits. This commitment to material innovation is necessary to position us at the forefront of the industry, setting new standards for reusable packaging solutions.
Collaboration in Refill and Reuse Systems
To increase adoption and enhance the efficacy of Deposit Return Systems (DRS) and refill models, DiFOLD is actively looking to collaborate with CPG brands, retailers, and startups. Our foldable reusable products, with their super convenient and space-saving features, are uniquely positioned to add value to these systems for both end-consumers and businesses. These partnerships are crucial in scaling up reusable models and amplifying the environmental impact of our innovations.
Licensing Our Foldable Design Technology
Recognizing the broader applications of our patented foldable designs, we are open to licensing opportunities with third parties. This initiative extends the reach of our technology into diverse sectors, from automotive to construction, architecture and even visual arts and installation, enabling widespread adoption of creative and sustainable foldable solutions. Through such licensing agreements, we aim to amplify the impact of our technology, contributing to sustainability efforts in diverse markets.