Atelier Duerinck

Atelier Duerinck is a Belgian spin-off company from Ghent University and HOGENT College University, specializing in the production of high-quality string instruments made from flax fiber composite. The company was officially launched in April 2025 by its founder, Dr. Tim Duerinck. This venture is the culmination of years of academic research, including Dr. Duerinck's PhD project, which explored alternative materials for musical instruments.

Dr. Tim Duerinck is a master luthier who graduated from the Royal Conservatory Ghent. His interest in acoustics and alternative materials led him to experiment with various composites, resulting in innovations like the Styrofoam cello and, ultimately, instruments made from flax fiber. His research has earned multiple accolades, including the Henry Van de Velde Gold award in 2021. Co-developing the instruments' electronics is Johan Vandermaelen, who has over 40 years of experience in electro-acoustic instruments and developed a custom microphone for the flax fiber instruments.

The company's core business is manufacturing and selling string instruments—violins, violas, cellos, and double basses—crafted from a flax fiber composite. This material offers increased durability and resistance to humidity and temperature changes compared to traditional wood, while providing a warmer sound than carbon fiber. The instruments are targeted at professional musicians, particularly those who travel frequently or live in tropical climates, and are often positioned as a high-quality second instrument. Each instrument is produced in-house at the workshop in Ghent, Belgium, and features a built-in pickup system for amplification. The business operates on a direct-to-consumer model with a pre-order system and a growing waiting list.

Keywords: lutherie, flax fiber instruments, composite materials, string instruments, acoustic research, instrument manufacturing, musical innovation, electro-acoustic, sustainable lutherie, bespoke instruments