A rapidly expanding market

The global sneaker market is experiencing rapid growth, set to increase from $90 billion to $170 billion by 2033 (+7% per year).

Within this market, the sustainable sneaker segment is growing even faster: +15% per year.

In Europe, our playground, consumers are looking for circular, responsible, and premium products and are willing to pay up to 10% more for sustainable alternatives.

A gap to fill in circular fashion

Sustainable fashion is evolving, but no brand has yet industrialized the transformation of sports waste into premium sneakers.

Every year, millions of balls, tires, and tennis balls are thrown away, representing a huge source of material and emotion that no one is exploiting.

BALAO is the first European brand to transform this sports waste into stylish, sustainable shoes with a story to tell.

Why does BALAO succeed where others fail?

Where most eco-friendly brands limit themselves to certain "traditional" vegan or recycled materials (cactus, corn, recycled plastic, etc.), BALAO goes further by incorporating real sports waste (soccer balls, tennis balls, tires) directly into the shoe. Our premium sneakers, designed in Belgium and manufactured in Portugal, are made from nearly 90% low-impact materials (bio-based, recycled, or upcycled), 100% vegan, and 0% greenwashing.

What sets us apart is our authentic, circular, and emotional approach:
 • We create value from real sports waste, where others mainly use generic vegan materials.
 • Our products tell a story, connecting sporting emotion with positive impact.
 • We manufacture entirely in Europe, guaranteeing quality, ethical conditions, and a low carbon footprint.
 • We offer an accessible premium positioning ($149.95), where the competition is either more expensive or less circular. 
• Our model is scalable, with several waste streams already validated: soccer, tennis/padel, tires.

A circular and scalable model

Our business model is based on four complementary pillars:

Direct e-commerce (B2C): strong storytelling, gross margin ~46%.

B2B clubs and sports partners: customized sneakers for prestigious B2B clients (partnerships signed with Standard de Liège, RAAL La Louvière, Union-Saint-Gilloise, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Habay-La-Neuve, etc.).

Selective retail: physical presence in five stores at Maniet Luxus and Yuman Village.

Corporate collaborations with sustainable brands and events: Co-branded collections with companies, events, or sports tournaments committed to sustainability.

Each sport = new waste = a new collection: this makes BALAO even more scalable.
 

BALAO is no longer just an idea: it is a proven model ready to be rolled out across Europe.

Our goal: to become the European leader in circular sneakers by 2035.