Fabric scraps find new life as functional, aesthetic building material.
It started with a bold idea: Turn textile waste into renewable building material. French architect Clarisse Merlet realized his dream by founding FabBRICK in 2018. Today it continues to combine aesthetics, durability, and environmental consciousness while growing on an international level, proving that innovation and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.
FabBRICK makes eco-friendly bricks from 80% recycled textiles and 20% ecological binders. This unique blend avoids the need for firing or harmful chemicals, resulting in a strong, insulating, and sustainable material. The recycled textile wall-cladding bricks are used for acoustic absorption, thermal insulation, and non-flammable lining and come in a variety of colors and patterns.
“The biggest challenge we’ve overcome at FabBRICK was turning an innovative idea into a sustainable, scalable business,” CEO Merlet shares with Real Leaders. “Our focus has always been on proving that sustainable materials can be both functional and desirable.”
The company also dabbles in customizing creations for furniture and decor. At its core, the functional and artistic innovator champions the circular economy. By collecting textiles from clients in France, FabBRICK ensures traceability and reduces waste. This strategy keeps materials out of landfills while addressing the construction industry’s ecological footprint.
FabBRICK’s milestones include securing patents, establishing a production line, investing in industrial equipment, opening a workshop, and earning the business of major brands like Google, L’Oreal, and Levi’s. The company entered the global stage with its international debut at Mexico Design Week in 2023 and its first U.S. sale in 2024. It continues to fundraise to further scale production.
As for Merlet’s advice to other impact-driven companies? “Stay resilient and adapt through failure,” Merlet says. “Focus on solving real problems, stay committed to your mission, and build a team that shares your vision.”
