Emily Chan
“Our goal is that one day soon, you’ll find many products made from BioCir and other polymer materials that can be thrown into the composter,” Roubach said.
Roubach’s interest in textiles and materials was sparked during his time serving in a special forces unit for the Israel Defense Forces, where he made equipment prototypes. Later on, he studied business at what is now Reichman University.
His first product, The Fridge, was related to food waste. The project was a success, and after that, he decided to move into the fashion realm. He studied fashion and sustainability at the Bocconi School of Management in Milan.
He returned home with the idea for Balena, and the company was launched with a grant from the Israel Innovation Authority. Today, Balena has offices in Tel Aviv, London, and Milan.
“We hope our BioCir footwear shows the world that there is a real alternative: Fashion can be fabulous, functional, and Earth-friendly. We’re proud to be the company opening the door for any fashion brand to start stepping into a more circular future,” Roubach said in a statement.
