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OUR HISTORY

Gwilen is the name of the longest river in Brittany, the Vilaine. Yann, founder of GWILEN, grew up on the banks of its estuary.

Since the construction of a dam in the 1970s, this estuary has gradually silted up. So much so that today, it is estimated that about 100,000 cubic meters of sediment would have to be extracted each year for it to recover its natural appearance.

This estuary, a protected natural area, is symbolic of the impact that humans have on their environment.

This silting problem concerns estuaries, but also ports. Indeed, when a current slows down, the particles that are suspended in the liquid have time to settle on the bottom. Siltation is inevitable and intrinsic to the design of ports. It is all ports, Breton, French, and even worldwide that silt up.

Architect and engineer, Yann saw in these materials a potential resource for new construction materials. This is how he started developing a transformation process to solidify these sediments, with the criterion of limiting energy consumption during the transformation process.

And so GWILEN was born.

the major stages of the gwilen adventure!

September 2017
First tests
Yann carries out the first tests with the muds of the Vilaine estuary.
September 2017
2018
The start-up
We are meeting with port managers in order to understand their siltation problems, as well as the IAV (Institut d'Aménagement de la Vilaine). At the same time, we are continuing to develop the formulation. The Brest Iroise technopole is supporting GWILEN in the structuring of our project on all the innovative aspects of our solution.
2018
March 2019
First prototypes
GWILEN participates in the Salone del Mobile in Milan and presents its first prototypes.
March 2019
2019
Support
GWILEN integrates several incubators which accompany it for the development of its innovative material: the ENSTARTUP of ENSTA Bretagne on the structuring of the company and the incubator of the Scientific and Technical Center of the Building (CSTB), the CSTB'lab, on the steps of standardization of our material.
2019
2019
Process validation
Laboratory tests are conducted to improve the process and validate a stable formulation.
2019
January 2020
Creation of the company
The GWILEN company is created in Brest.
January 2020
2020
Looking for a workshop
The R&D continues, we are designing the first pilot unit and are looking for premises in Brest to host the GWILEN workshop.
2020
September 2020
Paris Design Week 2020
GWILEN is presented in the Espace Commines. Many architects and designers show their interest in the material.
September 2020
October 2020
Vendée Globe
GWILEN delivers 2 table tops for the starting village of the Vendée Globe in Sables d'Olonnes.
October 2020
Summer 2021
GWILEN Workshop
The workshop in Brest is in place with the new equipment and the first prototypes are made.
Summer 2021
September 2021
Paris Design Week 2021
GWILEN presents its first credenzas, as well as a lamp and a console. A curved table of 11m long is also made for the Frugal exhibition at the Hôtel de Coulanges.
September 2021
September 2021
Mamiche Bakery
GWILEN delivers its first custom-made credenzas for the counter of the Mamiche bakery in Paris.
September 2021
December 2021
Ulule Campaign
GWILEN is organizing a campaign on Ulule for the end of the year celebrations and offers coasters, Merrazzo trays and lamps. The campaign is a success with a goal reached at 170%!
December 2021
January 2022
Credenzas
The first range of GWILEN credenzas is launched.
January 2022
May 2022
R&D Program
Launch of our R&D program to develop new architectural applications.
May 2022