RIBLUM is a young Tunisian start-up in the industry sector based in Gbelli, a town in the south of Tunisia and the capital of the Kebili Governorate. They developed an ecologic synthetic lumber made out of recycling dry palm leaves, that can be used for furniture and construction. Malek Hadded is the young entrepreneur behind this project, who was supported and assisted by the EU-funded project under the ENI CBC Med Programme.
Malek has shared some key takeaways that he had from the training sessions during its different phases. “I am glad that I was part of the GIMED project, I really liked the mentor’s approach which have brought me to evaluate and improve my project. The competitive environment of the program was also another appreciated and motivational factor”, he recognises.
The entrepreneur was selected by CONECT, the Tunisian partner of GIMED, to join the project and develop a green business model for his early-stage start-up. Before joining the project, he was much focused on the technical development of the proposed solution. Riblum has been able to develop a sustainable composite wood from palm waste, which they then transform into high-quality furniture and doors.
Before joining the project, they had to face two main constraints. First, Malek had a big struggle finding the right team members and second, the prototyping phase brought him to financial difficulties due to the industrial nature of the project. “I think that GIMED’s project is bringing start-ups from the ideation stage to seed investment readiness, through elaborating a clear business model canvas and providing them with funding to prototype their solutions”, he concludes.
“I think that GIMED’s project is bringing start-ups from the ideation stage to seed investment readiness, through elaborating a clear business model canvas and providing them with funding to prototype their solutions”
More about Riblum products
Palm midribs is actually carbonivorus due to the natural regeneration of palm leaves. In an era where respect for the environment is enforced by laws, our approach already goes beyond conflict with nature. Riblum, thus, came to complete a cycle that nature itself has begun. Their products are not only eco-friendly, but also known for a high technicality and an authentic design emerging from its environment, able to create attractivity and highlight the charm of your spaces.
It is a double transformation process; the first phase consists in reconstituting the Riblum wood from dry palm leaves. The second phase consists in the manufacture of furniture goods according to the desired design. This combination of activities allows a mastery of the technical and aesthetic potential of the new material, and results in a unique product on the market.
Riblum is convinced that sustainable development goals can only be achieved through the emergence of local actions. They strive to create added value for the benefit of all the local economy cluster and take actions to protect the environment. They always work to promote local culture & identity through a modern project that roots down to artisanal heritage.
