Esosport

What Esosport does

Esosport is an Italian circular-economy project brand established in 2009 and operated under ESO Società Benefit arl, with industrial recycling conducted by ESO RECYCLING Società Benefit arl. The organization collects end-of-life sports materials — running shoes, bicycle tires and inner tubes, tennis and padel balls, swimming/aquatic materials, helmets, workwear, and (as of late 2025) sails — through a network of 300+ collection points (ESOboxes) distributed across 292 Italian municipalities and into Denmark via ESO RECYCLING Danmark ApS. Materials are mechanically recycled at the 'Amato Cannara' plant in Tolentino (Marche) into colored esosport® rubber granules and secondary raw materials, which are then used to manufacture playground surfaces under the 'Il Giardino di Betty' program, athletics tracks ('La Pista di Filippide', 'La Pista di Pietro'), branded medals (ReMedal®, medal in frame®, medal book®, medal metal®) sold through the ESOshop, and recycled-content components for partner brands.

The go-to-market is community- and channel-led. Esosport works directly with municipalities, schools, and sports associations to establish collection infrastructure and environmental education programs, while distribution is anchored by sports-brand partnerships (Decathlon across 86 Italian stores, Joma in Turin/Rome, Macron for polyester recycling, Vittoria Re-Cycling for bicycle tires and inner tubes, Briko UpCycling for helmets, Sidi, Arena, OneSails), footwear retailers (Scarpamondo), waste-management aggregators (ECOLAN, COSMARI, ATA 3 MACERATA), and corporate ESG programs (Generali Italia, Bambino Gesù Hospital).

Revenue mechanics span four streams: negotiated municipal collection and recycling services (managed services), sale of rubber granules and secondary raw materials to manufacturers of sports flooring and playground surfacing (hardware sales), direct sales of ReMedal® and adjacent merchandise through ESOshop (hardware sales/D2C), and sports-brand partnership programs where brands fund collection and recycling in exchange for consumer-facing sustainability positions (managed services). The company employs 11-50 people, holds six registered trademarks covering its product and brand names, and operates as a Società Benefit, embedding social and environmental purposes into its legal charter.

Name

Esosport

Legal name

ESO Società Benefit arl

Website

https://esosport.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Esosport is an Italian circular-economy brand (operating under ESO RECYCLING Società Benefit arl) that collects end-of-life sports materials — shoes, bicycle tires, balls, helmets, workwear, and sails — at 300-plus collection points and mechanically recycles them into colored rubber granules and finished products such as playground surfaces, athletics tracks, and ReMedal® awards. It serves Italian and Danish municipalities, schools, sports associations, and sports-brand channel partners including Decathlon, Joma, Macron, and Vittoria.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Waste Recycling

NAICS

Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992), Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (339920)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Tires, Plastics & Glass Recovery from ELVs (Non-metal ELV Streams) (EUAIAJAK)

Keywords

• Sports waste recycling
• Rubber granule production
• Circular economy services
• Athletics track surfaces
• Playground safety flooring

Headquarters

HQ city

Opera

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Municipal Collection Services: Esosport provides collection and recycling services to municipalities, schools, and public administrations. Municipalities pay for or partner with Esosport to establish collection infrastructure and receive secondary raw materials for community projects like playgrounds and tracks.
2. Secondary Raw Material Sales: Sale of colored rubber granules and recycled materials produced from end-of-life sports equipment. These materials are used for manufacturing playground surfaces, athletics tracks, sports flooring, tiles, and other sustainable products.
3. Branded Product Sales: Direct sales of recycled products including ReMedal® medals, medal frames, medal books, and medal metal holders through the ESOshop platform (shop.esoweb.it).
4. Sports Brand Partnerships: Partnerships with sports brands (Decathlon, Joma, Macron, Vittoria, etc.) where those brands fund collection and recycling programs, often with consumer-facing collection boxes in their stores.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Esosport is a circular economy project that collects end-of-life sports materials (running shoes, bicycle tires and inner tubes, tennis and padel balls, swimming materials, helmets, sails, workwear) through a network of physical collection points (ESOboxes) at municipalities, schools, sports facilities, and partner retail stores. The collected materials are mechanically recycled at the ESO RECYCLING 'Amato Cannara' plant in Tolentino, Italy, into colored rubber granules and secondary raw materials that are sold for playground surfaces, athletics tracks, sports flooring, and finished products such as ReMedal® medals, frames, and books.

Product overview

Esosport is a circular economy project and brand of ESO RECYCLING that collects and recycles end-of-life sports materials including running shoes (esosport RUN), bicycle tires and inner tubes (esosport BIKE), tennis and padel balls (esosport TENNIS E PADEL), and swimming materials (esosport SwimFit). The collected materials are transformed at the ESO RECYCLING plant in Tolentino into colored rubber granules, which are used to create products including playground flooring (Il Giardino di Betty), athletics tracks (La pista di Filippide, La Pista di Pietro), medals and recognition products (ReMedal®, medal in frame®, medal book®, medal metal®). Collection is facilitated through a network of ESObox containers placed at participating stores, municipalities, schools, and sports facilities across Italy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Il Giardino di Betty: Project dedicated to creating safe playground surfaces with shock-absorbent flooring made from recycled sports materials, named in memory of Elisabetta 'Betty' Meletiou.
• La Pista di Filippide
• La Pista di Pietro
• GOGREEN Association

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 million bicycle tires and 2 million inner tubes recovered per year through Vittoria partnership
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JomacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Collaboration launched at Wizz Air Venice Marathon (October 2025) for collection and recycling of end-of-life sports shoes. First Joma stores participating in Turin (Corso Orbassano and Piazza Carlo Felice), Rome, and Cambiano (TO). Marathon Expo Village collection point on October 24-25, 2025. Partnership combines passion for running with environmental responsibility.
• DecathloncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with Decathlon for collection of end-of-life sports materials through ESObox containers in 86 stores across Italy. Decathlon and ESO RECYCLING received the 2024 Sustainable Development Award for the Hike 100 ice traction cleats made with 40-50% recycled rubber from inner tubes. Collection enables circular economy loop closure.
• MacroncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMacron delivers end-of-life polyester products to ESO RECYCLING 'Amato Carrara' plant in Tolentino for transformation into sound-absorbing panels. Macron's vision treats waste as resources to be enhanced. Partnership supports Macron's goal of transforming unusable products into new functional ones.
• Vittoria Re-CyclingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for collecting and recycling bicycle tires and inner tubes. Vittoria covers collection and disposal costs for first three interventions per year for participating retailers. Project has Italian Cycling Federation patronage. Less than two months after launch, numerous stores joined. Approximately 2 million tires and 2 million inner tubes (1,000 tons) addressed annually.
• BrikominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBriko UpCycling program: consumers bring old cycling helmets to participating stores and receive up to €30 bonus credit for new Briko helmet purchase. Collected helmets placed in Briko UpCycling Box and recycled by esosport into new raw material.
• OneSails InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced at 65th Genoa International Boat Show (September 2025). End-of-life sails now officially enter esosport recycling cycle, joining collected sneakers, tennis balls, tires, inner tubes, helmets, and sportswear.
• SidiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFootwear brand partnership for sports shoe collection and recycling initiatives.
• ArenaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwimwear brand partnership sharing commitment to circular economy values.
• Municipality of HerningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst municipality in Denmark to launch esosport (January 2026). Pilot involves 23 schools and 7 sports facilities with 30 ESOboxes for 2 years. Herning chosen for strong industrial identity and embrace of circular economy. Planning local recycling plant for Nordic market.
• European Twinning Project (ETP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental twinning between municipalities in Italy, Denmark, and Norway coordinated by ESO RECYCLING. Develops joint initiatives on circular economy, sustainability, environmental education, and urban innovation through concrete collaborations.
• Generali ItaliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerali Italia brings esosport to employees across headquarters in Milan, Mogleno Veneto, Rome, Turin, Trieste, Verona, Genoa, and Naples. Initiative from Sustainability ERG (Employee Resource Group) promoting concrete circular economy. Following positive denim collection experience.
• ECOLAN SpaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorECOLAN partnership expands esosport reach to Chieti province for collection of sports shoes, bicycle tyres and inner tubes, tennis and padel balls.
• COSMARI SRLcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWaste management company partnering with ATA 3 MACERATA and esosport for sports waste collection in 23 municipalities across Macerata province. 71 collection points: 46 schools, 11 bike shops, 11 tennis clubs, 3 sports facilities for 2-year project.
• ATA 3 MACERATAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMunicipal association promoting esosport across 23 municipalities in Macerata province. Coordinates with COSMARI for waste management services and ESO RECYCLING for processing.
• GoGreen AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation founded by Nicolas Meletiou in memory of his wife Elisabetta 'Betty' Salvioni Meletiou. Raises funds and creates 'Betty's Gardens' throughout Italy as safe play spaces. Supports 'Pheidippides Track' neurorehabilitation project at Bambino Gesù Hospital.
• Decathlon Italia FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporting 'Sports for Everyone' project and 'Pheidippides Track' at Bambino Gesù Hospital for neurorehabilitation.
• GNAO1 Families Association APSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient organization participating in 'Sports for Everyone' project promoting neurorehabilitation through sport.
• Bambino Gesù FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation promoting 'Sports for Everyone' initiative through UOC of DH Neurorehabilitation and Adapted Sports Activity. Project creates 'Pheidippides Track' for neurorehabilitation using recycled sports material flooring.
• ScarpamondominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFootwear retail brand (70+ years history) with renovated Viterbo store as first esosport collection point. Customers welcomed initiative combining fashion and eco-sustainability. Operation Director: Gianluca Pietrini.
• Alteratletica LocorotondominorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizer of Leonardo Trulli Race running event. esosport as official sponsor awarded third of four puzzle medals designed for 2026 completion (circle symbolizing circular economy). Event promotes Itria Valley through sport.
• Re-medalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMedal manufacturer creating puzzle medals from secondary raw materials obtained from recycling end-of-life sports shoes.
• Italian Athletics Federation (FIDAL)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFIDAL provides patronage for esosport projects including 'Pietro's Track' initiative honoring Olympic champion.
• Italian Cycling Federation (FCI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFCI provides patronage for Vittoria Re-Cycling partnership addressing bicycle tire and inner tube recycling.
• Global Fashion AgendaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForeword by CEO Federica Marchionni on building circular societies through sports and education. Global Fashion Agenda works with industry leaders to accelerate circular fashion transition. Highlights collaborative leadership in sustainable transformation.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ecore International: US-based manufacturer of recycled rubber products for flooring, athletic surfaces, and playgrounds using tire-derived and post-consumer rubber. Directly comparable to Esosport's esosport® Granulo in Gomma value proposition of high-performance surfaces from recycled feedstock.
• Vittoria Re-Cycling: Cycling tire manufacturer with its own bicycle tire and inner tube collection-and-recycling program that feeds Esosport's granule supply. Most directly comparable on the bike-specific collection stream and demonstrates the brand-side circular-economy model Esosport services.
• Regupol (BSW): German manufacturer of recycled rubber flooring, athletic surfaces, and impact-protection products derived from end-of-life tires. Directly comparable to Esosport in transforming waste rubber into sports and playground surfaces, though at a much larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Aquafil (Econyl): Italian circular-economy company producing Econyl® regenerated nylon from fishing nets and other waste. Closest Italian analogue to Esosport's model of building a consumer-facing brand, dedicated supply chain, and recycled raw material around a single industry vertical.

Broad incumbents

• Tarkett: Global flooring manufacturer with a sports segment covering athletic and playground surfaces. Overlaps with Esosport's recycled-surfacing use cases but competes broadly with virgin and recycled flooring alternatives rather than specializing in sports-only feedstock.
• Mondo: Established Italian manufacturer of athletic tracks, sports flooring, and playgrounds. Comparable to Esosport's finished-surface output (playgrounds, athletics tracks) but operates as a large commercial incumbent with broader product lines and traditional virgin-rubber sourcing.
• Adidas (Parley for the Oceans / FUTURECRAFT Loop): Major sports brand with multiple circular-economy programs (Parley, FUTURECRAFT Loop) creating recycled materials from ocean plastic and worn products. Comparable to Esosport's brand-funded collection partnerships but as a vertically integrated sports brand rather than a dedicated recycler.
• Nike (Nike Grind): Operates Nike Grind, an internal program recycling end-of-life sneakers and manufacturing scrap into materials for sports surfaces and products. Comparable to Esosport's RUN stream and ReMedal approach, but executed as an in-house brand initiative rather than a third-party circular-economy operator.

Others

• Patagonia: Outdoor apparel brand recognized globally for circular-economy leadership, including Worn Wear take-back and recycling programs. Thematically comparable to Esosport's circularity-first brand identity, but operates as a US apparel retailer rather than a sports-material recycler.

Emerging players

• Oldrati Group: Italian rubber-products manufacturer that co-developed the Hike 100 cleat with Esosport and Decathlon. Adjacent participant in the recycled-rubber value chain, comparable as an Italian mid-market rubber specialist with circular-economy exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@EsoIt
• Facebookfacebook.com/eso.esosport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esosport
• Instagraminstagram.com/esosport
• Xx.com/ESOsport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Esosport