You had to dare, Décolines did it! After more than two years of research and development, French ceramics supplier Décolines is launching a line of terracotta ceramics entirely designed to optimize the development of plants.
Reinventing ceramics in a rapidly changing market.
In a highly competitive market with a predominantly Asian offering, French retailers and consumers are looking for meaning and authenticity. Tired or disillusioned with gadgets and inferior products that don’t last long, consumers are increasingly turning to products that are full of common sense, are simple, and respect their way of life and their future. In this movement, terracotta has obviously been on the rise for a few years, not only in the world of gardens but also in interior design. Relaunch on the French market, a pottery with an innovative design and with a Production shifted to Europe was the challenge Décolines took on.
By investing in a clear clay deposit in Spain, the company also updated its pottery skills, which it had inherited since 1815. The idea was there, the technical possibilities relaunched and the material was available, all that was missing was the development of an extraordinary pot.
The founding principle: “There were no limits to the design” points to this Steve Chareyre, Marketing Manager for Décolines and co-founder of this new line Tierra Viva Natural. “We brought together a team of scientists, engineers, technicians, partners and experts around one question: What would be an ideal pot for the plant? This is how the Tierra Viva Natural pots are born after two years of research and development. But what is so innovative about it?
Agroecology: The submerged face of the iceberg
When designing Tierra Viva Natural, the focus was on the clod of earth and the root tuber it contains. In fact, the scientists surveyed all pointed out that the visible part of a plant is only its feeding and reproductive organs, but its “engine” is actually its root system. Given the great variety of plants and substrates present on the market, a fine modeling was made to determine the most favorable characteristics for the life of the plants: good aeration of the roots, good watering, optimal drainage, protection against thermal shocks, protection , protection against salt rise, etc. Many points have been elucidated by the properties of terracotta and its chemical and physical composition.
Materials technology – In search of the perfect porosity!
This is the root cause of a plant’s suffering: water management. Not enough water, it dries up, gets tired and has trouble growing. Too much water, their roots will suffocate, become necrotic and die, resulting in the loss of the plant. Usually water management in a common pot can be done by water reserve, wick or well system. All of them are much less effective palliatives than a porous pot, which not only provides a reserve of water, but distributes it evenly throughout the plant’s root bulb.
To increase the porosity of its ceramics, Tierra Viva Natural incorporates crushed kernels, a high-carbon agricultural waste that creates pores in the material when cooked, into its firing process. The interest is quadrupled: greater porosity for the circulation of water and air, greater lightness of the ceramic, better mechanical resistance of the material and better insulation of the roots from outside temperatures. But the most impressive interest was undoubtedly seeing a drastically reduced cooking temperature and thus reduced CO2 emissions. In order to optimize all these parameters, the best practices of civil engineers have been studied, particularly in their techniques for manufacturing building bricks.
A design full of common sense.
Whether in its proportions, the slope of its edges and its geometry, the Tierra Viva Natural pot has a balanced shape compatible with most plants and their roots.
It is no secret for good gardeners: a pot must be pierced, and not just somehow! On the side remains the best option, because this is how the pot creates its own water reserve. Tierra Viva Natural is therefore one of the few pieces of pottery available that is already pierced on the side. A revolution that will finally satisfy the purists!
Tierra Viva Natural – Available at garden centers
Tierra Viva Natural ceramics are available now and are beginning to appear in garden sections. To support distribution and to explain to consumers the advantages of this high-tech ceramic despite its simple appearance, a communication campaign will make it possible to talk about the brand and its challenges for the future. Perfectly in line with the concepts of permaculture, the nurturing garden and the search for authenticity around more responsible consumption, Tierra Viva Natural positions itself as the first feel-good and natural ceramic that optimizes the development of the plant.
Who is Decolines?Décolines has been a real player in the home and garden market since 2020 and today develops its own brands with Papot’s, Tierra Viva Natural and Classimento and exclusively distributes the Ecopots brand in France. Decolines are strong values; Enabling the continuity of the profession, in particular by building strong partnerships with manufacturers and artisans, but also by taking into account the challenges of tomorrow. Décolines wants to be a committed player in the field and in corporate social responsibility. Creators of eco-conscious ceramic brandsDécolines has always been known for the diversity of its ceramic ranges: choice of materials and colors, quality of finishes. To meet the growing demand for ceramics, in 2020 Décolines transforms itself from a major importer into a distributor and creator of eco-conscious ceramic brands:
The portfolio of brands created and distributed is selected according to their responsibility, their qualities and their exclusivity. Pottery suppliers, traders and creators!Décolines works with garden centres, florists, concept stores, gardeners, nurseries, professional networks and specialty stores! Décolines, a family business for several generations!
Decolines is committed to:
Pioneer in the supply of responsible ceramics
The ceramics are made from natural or recycled materials, minimizing the impact on the environment! In the midst of change, the brands distributed are eliminating materials that are not ecological. For example, plastic is replaced with recycled plastic. The recycling materials used are certified and labeled. The origin of all materials is traceable and guaranteed.
Décolines works with suppliers who share values such as environmental responsibility, ethics and respect for people. Décolines maintains strong partnerships with them through branding deals. For example, the company supports the relocation of production to Europe, provided that this is possible and sensible depending on the raw material supply.
Décolines revisits ancient and artisan know-how to highlight it. The applied industrial processes respect the craftsmanship.
The pursuit of social responsibility certification invites Décolines to initiate change and translate commitments into concrete actions. Certification is scheduled for 2025. From 2021, Décolines will align its business with this goal. A team of trendsetters to anticipate tomorrow’s consumptionThe Décolines design study and research center analyzes and identifies future trends. This is how ceramic collections are organized.
Collections expected by consumersDécolines supports its customers in promoting pottery brands in their stores. It is important for Décolines customers to refer to the ceramics consumers are looking for. |
About Decolines:
Décolines offers on the French market a range of pottery by material and style, as well as 4 exclusive brands: Papot’s (waterproof indoor pots made of cardboard and recycled paper) – Classimento (high-strength pots and containers made of fiber cement) – Ecopots (sustainable pots made of recycled material ) and Tierra Viva Natural. Distribution throughout France from Drôme. Online orders possible in the area reserved for professionals.