Recently, we witnessed the wave of environmentally friendly products, for a try of engaging people toward a better, eco-friendly lifestyle. But, can everything turn out to be recycled?
One of the trendiest innovations goes to the paper recycled benches or “The New Paper Bench… RNKL”, which emphasized the theory of producing environmentally friendly high quality products.
We had a fruitful talk with Omar El Tawansy and Mazen Moussa, the founders of Rnkl, about how it all started, and everything around their up and coming startup!
How did you get the idea of “Rnkl “paper benches?
First, we didn’t plan to start Rnkl with its actual idea or product the same way it came to light now. As a result of being an Architect and Product Designer, we thought of making a unique, easily used product, that even young children can simply use. First, we drafted the benches as a completely wood-manufactured product.
We wished to provide our perceived customers with a multifunctional product that eases their daily tasks. Then it developed to be more handy and versatile with its user.
Luckily, we got in contact at the same time with Nadine Khan, director of “Meen Aal” series, who had a concept of the young boy interested in the manufacture of origami, we got encouraged to introduce the different concepts of the product idea that we had whether the paper benches or the cartoon one. The choice fell on the paper benches to move forward in developing the idea with full power.
How did this feature support your startup?
First, we would like to insist on how they were supportive of us and to the idea, and we managed to proceed with the next step of producing the first muck-up, which got screened in the very first steps of producing orico “Rnkl’s name in the show”.
Let’s know more about the steps of manufacturing the first bench. Tell us how the process moved after that?
As we mentioned, we started working on the first piece, where we used a lighter paper-type and wood than that’s currently used now, but with the same scale and portion.
Honestly, we discovered many issues in one first trial starting from the paper type to the heavy weight of wood used. It should be perfectly balanced, nothing more or less.
We worked on developing the design and the type of wood used to be more durable and natural to keep on the line of a fully environmental-friendly product.
As one of the new startups on the scene, how do you see the development of startups in Egypt?
In fact, we are still not fully experts in the developing perspective of the startup scene. But if we will talk about our own experience, we can obviously see how open and supportive the market reacts to the local products. To fully depend on Egyptian local brands gives a great push due to the current restrictions on importing.
“We think this naturally directed people to support the concept of buying what’s local, and this is what we are in need for whether as customers or producers”.
What’s next with Rnkl?
We are working on a new line, which will include new shapes and products under the furniture category. We can’t wait to reveal it and witness how people will react to it.
