BlueCycle
BlueCycle is a Greek circular-economy initiative that collects, processes, and transforms marine plastic waste—primarily fishing gear and shipping equipment—into recycled raw materials and 3D-printed furniture, serving fisheries, municipalities, plastics manufacturers, and design-industry buyers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersKifissia, Greece
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BlueCycle does
BlueCycle is a Greek circular-economy initiative founded in 2018-2019 and headquartered at its BlueCycle Lab in Piraeus. The company collects, processes, and transforms marine plastic waste—primarily abandoned fishing gear (ghost nets), end-of-life fishing equipment, and shipping plastics—into recycled raw materials and finished design products. It operates a nationwide collection network of 38+ points across Greek coastal municipalities and islands (including Glyfada, Samothrace, Koufonisia, Paros, Antiparos, Crete, and Salamina), in partnership with Aegean Rebreath, Blue Star Ferries, and municipal authorities. Founder and director Suzanna Laskaridis leads a small specialized team of 1-10 employees.
The company's core technology is housed in the BlueCycle Lab, the only specialized marine plastic waste processing facility in Greece and home to the country's first robotic large-scale 3D printing lab. The lab converts collected material into two product streams: high-quality recycled plastic feedstock sold to Greek plastics manufacturers (e.g., Thrace Group, Association of Hellenic Plastic Industries members), and the Second Nature collection of 3D-printed furniture and design objects created in collaboration with Rotterdam-based design studio The New Raw. An underwater drone called 'Ama' supports ghost-net retrieval on seabeds, and a public ghost-net reporting platform sources additional leads. The company has processed approximately 10+ tons of marine plastic waste cumulatively (e.g., 7.5 tons from Thermaikos Gulf mussel farms, 3 tons from Salamina, ~2 tons from Cyclades missions, 700+ kg from a single Salamina reef ghost net).
BlueCycle's business model is multi-channel: (1) B2B recycled-raw-material sales to Greek plastics industry partners; (2) direct-to-consumer e-commerce sales of 3D-printed furniture via madebybluecycle.com; (3) exhibition-driven sales at international design fairs (Maison&Objet, EDIT Napoli, Art Athina, 100% Hotel Show, Xenia); and (4) government/municipal partnership revenue tied to collection-network expansion. Customer segments span the fishing industry (primary, including fishermen, fishing associations, mussel/fish farms, and net manufacturers), Greek municipalities, plastics manufacturers, the hospitality and design industry, and the education sector. The company is independently operated but closely affiliated with the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation, a founding supporter. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, no funding rounds are reported, and pricing is quote-based across both B2B and bespoke design-furniture sales.
BlueCycle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BlueCycle
- Legal name
- BlueCycle
- Website
- https://bluecycle.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- BlueCycle is a Greek circular-economy initiative that collects, processes, and transforms marine plastic waste—primarily fishing gear and shipping equipment—into recycled raw materials and 3D-printed furniture, serving fisheries, municipalities, plastics manufacturers, and design-industry buyers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BlueCycle industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Plastic Recycling
- NAICS
- Materials Recovery Facilities (56292), All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (326199)
- SIC
- Plastics Products, Nec (3089)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Post-Consumer Plastic Collection & Sorting (MRF/PRF, Bale Supply) (EUAIAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Plastic Recycling Equipment & Technology Providers (Sorting, Washing, Extrusion) (EUAIAKAM), Recycled Resin Trading & Distribution (PCR/PIR Commodity Markets) (EUAIAKAK)
Keywords
Where BlueCycle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kifissia
- HQ country
- Greece
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
BlueCycle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Recycled Raw Material Sales: Processing of collected fishing and shipping plastic equipment into high-quality recycled raw materials sold to Greek plastics industry partners (e.g., Thrace Group, Association of Hellenic Plastic Industries)
- 3D Printed Furniture Products: Sale of design furniture and objects created through large-scale 3D printing from recycled marine plastics via e-commerce and exhibitions
- Industry Partnerships: Collaboration with plastics industry for supply of recycled materials, contributing to circular economy goals
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | E-commerce products available through madebybluecycle.com |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
BlueCycle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BlueCycle collects end-of-life fishing and shipping plastic equipment through a nationwide network of 38+ collection points across Greek islands and coastal areas, then processes the marine plastic waste at its specialized BlueCycle Lab in Piraeus into high-quality recycled raw materials and 3D printed furniture (the Second Nature collection, co-designed with The New Raw). Outputs are sold to Greek plastics manufacturers as industrial raw material and to consumers/design buyers as finished furniture via e-commerce and exhibitions, supported by services including ghost net reporting and retrieval.
Product overview
BlueCycle is a circular economy initiative that collects, processes, and transforms marine plastic waste—primarily from fishing and shipping equipment—into new products. The core offering consists of the BlueCycle Lab facility in Piraeus (the only specialized laboratory for marine plastic waste in Greece, housing the first robotic large-scale 3D printing lab in the country) and the nationwide Collection Network with 38+ collection points. The main product line is the Second Nature 3D printed furniture series created in collaboration with The New Raw, along with recycled plastic raw material sold to Greek industry. Additional offerings include ghost net reporting services and the Second Nature documentary content.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Second Nature: A product line of 3D printed furniture made from recycled marine plastic waste, created in collaboration with The New Raw design studio.
Products and services
- Second Nature 3D Printed Furniture Collection A furniture and design objects collection produced through robotic large-scale 3D printing using 100% recycled marine plastic waste from fishing and shipping equipment. Designed by The New Raw architectural duo. Each piece is fully recyclable with unique identity features that allow BlueCycle to recover and reuse the material. Sold via the madebybluecycle.com e-shop and through international design exhibitions, targeting hospitality buyers, interior designers, and design-conscious consumers.
- Recycled Plastic Raw Material High-quality recycled plastic raw material produced at the BlueCycle Lab in Piraeus from collected fishing and shipping plastic equipment, sold to Greek plastics manufacturers (e.g., Thrace Group / Plastika Thrakis, members of the Association of Hellenic Plastic Industries) for integration into new plastic products in line with EU circular economy directives.
- Marine Plastic Waste Collection Network Service
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% of products are recyclable and can be recovered by BlueCycle
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use BlueCycle
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BlueCycle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
BlueCycle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.
- Israeli National Center of Blue EconomyminorInvited BlueCycle to present at Blue Tech Summit IL.23 in Haifa port. Event brought together international investors, startups, and government bodies to highlight innovation for sustainable development.
- Municipality of GlyfadamajorCollection point for fishing equipment established at local fishing harbor. Enters BlueCycle's nationwide network of 38 collection points. fishermen's association with 35+ boats participates.
- Municipality of KoufonisiaminorCollection point installed at Ano Koufonissi for discarded fishing equipment. Municipality workforce assists with material collection.
- Plastikourgeio Shop & LabminorCollaborated on 3D printing of face shields during COVID-19 pandemic. Provided recycled plastic material for production of protective equipment for healthcare workers.
- Thrace Group (Plastika Thrakis)majorMajor Greek plastics manufacturer added as partner to receive recycled BlueCycle material for production of new plastic products. Partnership announced at 'Transition to Circular Economy' event organized by British Embassy and Bank of Greece.
- Association of Hellenic Plastic IndustriesmajorNational industry association representing Greek plastics manufacturers. Partnership aims to increase use of recycled plastic by industry in line with EU Directive of June 2019, helping achieve circular economy targets.
- Aegean RebreathcoreEnvironmental organization operating marine litter collection stations across Greek islands. BlueCycle collects fishing equipment from these stations for recycling and upcycling at their Piraeus lab. Partnership enables island-wide collection network expansion.
- The New RawcoreRotterdam-based architectural duo (Panos Sakkas and Foteini Setaki) that co-designs the Second Nature furniture collection with BlueCycle. They developed the 3D printing designs and processes for converting marine plastics into furniture using robotic technology.
- URBACT BluActminorEuropean program for knowledge transfer on tech hubs; BluAct is transfer network of 7 European port cities including Piraeus, aiming to share good practices in Blue Economy entrepreneurship.
- Plastic Busters MPAscorePilot action to prevent and reduce waste from fishing activities in Thermaikos Gulf. BlueCycle processes approximately 7.5 tons of mussel farm plastic waste from the program. Coordinated by MIO-ECSDE with iSea implementation.
- Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI)coreCross-sectoral alliance dedicated to solving global problem of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). BlueCycle participates as member working toward improving marine ecosystem health, safeguarding human health, and protecting marine life.
- iSea Environmental OrganizationcoreEnvironmental organization coordinating Plastic Busters MPAs pilot actions. Collaborates with BlueCycle on mussel farming waste management in Thermaikos Gulf and other marine litter prevention initiatives.
- MIO-ECSDEmajorMediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development. Coordinates Plastic Busters MPAs program and other regional environmental initiatives involving BlueCycle.
- Aikaterini Laskaridis FoundationcoreFounding supporter of BlueCycle. Organizes educational programs, Second Nature Symposium, and provides ongoing support for research and innovation in blue and circular economy.
- PlayroomminorPartnership for recycling children's toys, extending BlueCycle's circular economy mission to new product categories.
- Municipality of SamothraceminorIsland joined collection network with two collection points for fishing and shipping equipment. Collaboration with local fishing community and sustainable development association.
- DIOPAS S.A.minorNet manufacturing company, one of BlueCycle's first partners since program inception. Located in Northern Greece; provides fishing equipment for recycling.
- Blue Star FerriesminorTransportation partner facilitating material collection from Greek islands. Inaugurated collaboration during Koufonisia mission, crucial for expanding and maintaining nationwide collection network.
- HELMEPAminorHellenic Marine Protection Association. Co-organizes clean-up events and educational programs with BlueCycle, including Vravrona wetland cleanup and Sea Guardians training program.
- Management Authority of Thermaikos Gulf Protected AreasminorGovernment body managing protected areas. Partner in Plastic Busters MPAs pilot for mussel farm waste management in Thermaikos Gulf.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BlueCycle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Ocean Cleanup: Large-scale marine plastic removal organization operating cleanup systems in rivers and oceans; adjacent rather than directly competing — addresses ocean plastic upstream of BlueCycle's value chain.
- PureCycle Technologies: US-listed company using advanced recycling (solvent purification) to produce ultra-pure recycled polypropylene; comparable in advanced recycling technology output, but at industrial scale versus BlueCycle's small-batch operation.
Regional players
- Net-Works: Originally a carpet-tiles brand sourcing recycled fishing nets from the Philippines; comparable in fishing-gear-to-product circular model though operating in Southeast Asia rather than Mediterranean.
Others
- The New Raw: Rotterdam-based design studio that is BlueCycle's actual design partner for the Second Nature furniture collection; included as an ecosystem/partner peer rather than competitor.
Direct peers
- Bureo: Recycles fishing nets into consumer products including skateboards and sunglasses; directly comparable as a marine-plastic-to-design-product company serving B2B and DTC channels.
- Plastix: Denmark-based company that recovers and recycles end-of-life fishing gear and trawls into PCR plastics — directly comparable to BlueCycle's ghost-net collection and marine-plastic-to-resin model.
- Healthy Seas: European initiative that recovers ghost fishing nets from the sea and partners with brands (Aquafil, etc.) to regenerate them into nylon — directly comparable in ghost-net recovery mission and circular output.
- Oceanworks: Operates a global marketplace for recycled ocean plastic materials, connecting collectors and processors with buyers — comparable to BlueCycle's recycled-raw-material B2B supply function.
- Searious Business: Dutch circular-plastics company converting ocean-bound and fishing-gear plastics into reusable products; comparable in recycling technology, marine-plastic feedstock, and design-led product output.
Emerging players
- Plastic Bank: Social enterprise that collects ocean-bound plastic and exchanges it for income in coastal communities, then sells Social Plastic® resin — comparable in marine-plastic collection and PCR material sales, but operating in different geographies (Southeast Asia, Latin America).
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BlueCycle social profiles
Digital presenceBlueCycle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BlueCycle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
BlueCycle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BlueCycle M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BlueCycle
What does BlueCycle do?
BlueCycle collects end-of-life fishing and shipping plastic equipment through a nationwide network of 38+ collection points across Greek islands and coastal areas, then processes the marine plastic waste at its specialized BlueCycle Lab in Piraeus into high-quality recycled raw materials and 3D printed furniture (the Second Nature collection, co-designed with The New Raw). Outputs are sold to Greek plastics manufacturers as industrial raw material and to consumers/design buyers as finished furniture via e-commerce and exhibitions, supported by services including ghost net reporting and retrieval.
Is BlueCycle a public or private company?
BlueCycle is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was BlueCycle founded?
BlueCycle was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is BlueCycle based?
BlueCycle is headquartered in Kifissia, Greece, in the Europe region.
How does BlueCycle make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Recycled Raw Material Sales are the primary driver. The others are 3D Printed Furniture Products and industry Partnerships.
Who are BlueCycle's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Ocean Cleanup and PureCycle Technologies. Net-Works is listed as a regional player. The New Raw is listed as an others. Direct peers are Bureo, Plastix, Healthy Seas, Oceanworks and Searious Business. Plastic Bank is listed as an emerging player.
Does BlueCycle have an API?
No public API is recorded for BlueCycle.
What industry is BlueCycle in?
BlueCycle's product category is Marine Plastic Recycling. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIAKAA, Post-Consumer Plastic Collection & Sorting (MRF/PRF, Bale Supply), with a secondary code of EUAIAKAM, Plastic Recycling Equipment & Technology Providers (Sorting, Washing, Extrusion). Its NAICS code is 56292 and its SIC code is 3089.