— Our Story
Built in a
Container Port
EcotainerFactory was born from a simple observation: the world's shipping containers are extraordinary structures, and when their maritime life ends, they deserve a better fate than the scrapyard.
— The Origin
A Maritime Engineer's
Second Act
Marco van der Berg spent 15 years as a maritime engineer, maintaining the very containers that now form our furniture. He watched thousands of containers reach retirement age — structurally sound, beautifully weathered, full of character — and be crushed for scrap.
In 2018, he rented a corner of a Rotterdam port warehouse, bought a plasma cutter, and began experimenting. The first chair he made from a container panel sat in his kitchen for a year before he showed it to anyone. When he did, the response was immediate.
Today, EcotainerFactory operates from an 800m² workshop in the Rotterdam port district — the same area where the containers we use once arrived from their final voyages. We employ eight craftspeople, all trained in-house, all paid living wages.
The E-Reuse platform is our way of making this work accessible beyond Rotterdam — bringing container furniture to homes across Europe, with full traceability from port to living room.
— Timeline
EcotainerFactory founded in Rotterdam by Marco van der Berg
First collection of 12 pieces sold out within 3 weeks
Workshop expanded to 800m² in the Rotterdam port district
ISO 14001 environmental certification achieved
E-Reuse online platform launched, shipping across Europe
100th container processed — 350 tonnes of steel repurposed
B Corporation certification process initiated
180+ unique pieces crafted, zero raw materials used
— The People
The Hands Behind
Every Piece
Marine Biologist & Impact Officer
Rodrigo Madruga
From the Azores, Portugal, Rodrigo brings deep expertise in marine ecosystems and container impact on ocean life. He leads our research initiatives on how container reuse reduces maritime pollution and protects coastal habitats.
CFO & Supply Operations Manager
Rositsa Kyuchukova
Strategic leader managing EU partnerships and international relationships. Rositsa oversees supply chain operations, ensuring seamless coordination across our network of container sources and logistics partners throughout Europe.
CEO & ESG Officer
Braima Bari
Visionary leader steering E-Reuse's strategic direction and ESG commitments. Braima ensures compliance with EU regulations and textile standards, while championing sustainable business practices that align with global environmental goals.
Eco-Friendly Environment Researcher
Diego Buoso
Passionate about building sustainable communities, Diego develops eco-village initiatives and manages local partnerships. He bridges the gap between container reuse and community-driven environmental projects, creating lasting impact beyond furniture.
Design Helper & Partnership Coordinator
Felipe Castilho
Bridges design vision with execution, coordinating partnerships with local designers, painters, structural engineers, and container dismantling specialists. Felipe ensures every project meets both aesthetic and technical standards.