Kartent

Kartent, an Amsterdam-based company founded in 2015, specializes in creating a wide array of products from cardboard, positioning itself as a sustainable and circular business. The venture was started by Jan Portheine, Wout Kommer, and later joined by Timo Krenn. The founders, graduates of TU Delft, identified a significant waste problem at music festivals where approximately one in four tents were abandoned. This observation led to their flagship product: a fully recyclable, two-person cardboard tent designed for festival use. This initial concept was born from Jan Portheine's prior experience designing a cardboard beach house for the government.

The company's business model initially focused on a B2B approach, partnering with festival organizers to offer pre-pitched cardboard tents as a solution to reduce post-event waste. The tents are designed to be waterproof for several days and can be recycled directly after the event. This core idea has since expanded significantly. Kartent now operates as an internet-first brand with a direct-to-consumer (D2C) and business-to-business (B2B) sales model, offering over 300 different products. Revenue is generated through the sale of these products via their webshop and through custom projects for businesses. Their product line is diverse, including furniture (beds, tables, cabinets), toys for children (playhouses, costumes), office supplies (dividers, desk organizers), and event solutions like custom exhibition stands and displays. All products are made from cardboard consisting of at least 73% recycled paper, with the remainder from new wood fibers.

Kartent emphasizes a sustainable production process. All manufacturing takes place at a single location in Amsterdam, which helps in reducing transportation emissions. The company operates on a production-on-demand basis, meaning products are made 'fresh' after an order is placed, eliminating overproduction and the need for large inventories. They also design their own packaging to minimize waste. For their business clients, which include marketing teams and event managers, Kartent offers a comprehensive service from design and brainstorming to delivery, assembly, and post-event recycling. Despite its growth and winning a Red Dot Design award, the company appears to be primarily self-funded, having participated in the EIT Climate-KIC accelerator program.

Keywords: cardboard products, sustainable furniture, recyclable materials, festival tents, circular economy, cardboard design, event solutions, eco-friendly toys, custom cardboard manufacturing, B2B sustainable products, direct-to-consumer, office furniture, exhibition stands, sustainable packaging, Amsterdam startup, cardboard playhouses, paper-based products, sustainable event management, circular design, recyclable furniture, cardboard engineering, custom displays