From Plastic Waste to a World-Changing Innovation. The Success Story of TERRATICO
What started as a family experiment today resonates at international exhibitions and captures the attention of investors from Europe and America.
The Slovak company TERRATICO has impressed with a strong story of sustainability and innovation. It transformed the problem of plastic waste into an opportunity and developed a construction material that is a complete game changer.
From a simple idea of a father and son to turn waste plastic into something meaningful, after eight years of experimenting, testing, and trial and error, a global business with a huge impact has emerged. Without investors, without grants, driven only by the goal to find a solution that makes sense both ecologically and economically.
The result is a new type of eco-friendly construction material that replaces traditional concrete and terrazzo solutions. Their products are used in modern buildings, interiors, and public spaces. Besides aesthetic appeal and durability, they bring sustainability: every square meter of material reduces the environmental burden by kilograms of plastic waste.
TERRATICO is the only company in the world able to incorporate up to 45% plastic into a concrete mixture without negatively affecting the quality of the final product, thanks to their patented manufacturing process.
While common concrete materials use fillers like gravel or sand, this Slovak technology utilizes specially treated plastic granulate from municipal and industrial waste. The key is the unique bonding of plastic with cementitious binder, which preserves structural strength while significantly reducing the material’s weight and carbon footprint.
This innovative building material thus represents an ecological alternative to concrete or terrazzo claddings, large-format panels, and façades.
By successfully combining concrete with plastic on such a scale, TERRATICO has created a completely new category of construction products that blend industrial durability with ecological responsibility.
However, the key to their success was not only the technology but also the rigorous protection of intellectual property. This strategic foresight later allowed them to enter the global market without fear of copying or misuse.
TERRATICO holds the rights to a patented method of producing a cement-plastic mixture for construction and stone products, as well as the rights to the unique method of producing this patented mixture.
For TERRATICO, intellectual property protection is not just a formality but a strategic step that significantly influences their growth, partner trust, and position in the global market.
They have gained a technological advantage that allows them to expand, scale production, and build their brand. Thanks to strong protection of their idea, they convinced investors that this is not just an ambitious concept but a technological platform with real market value.
Moreover, their well-protected intellectual property gives them the possibility to license their technology to other manufacturers in different regions in the future, without needing direct expansion into every market.
Intellectual property protection has become their key asset, not a cost, but an investment in the future. Investors have already recognized the potential of technology that not only saves nature but also makes clear economic sense.
Today, the company mainly produces flooring and cladding, with demand steadily growing. Their vision for the future is even more ambitious, to use this material for panels and entire residential buildings.
The TERRATICO story is proof that with a combination of innovation, perseverance, and diligent strategic intellectual property protection, a small Slovak idea can grow into a brand coveted worldwide.
Michal Šula, owner of TERRATICO:
“The journey of TERRATICO didn’t start in a lab or conference room but among plastic waste. Eight years of trials, errors, and persistence. Those were the beginnings when the company started transforming seemingly worthless material into a new type of eco-friendly construction product, an alternative to concrete and terrazzo that not only looks good but also heals the planet.
Today, our products are part of modern architectural projects, interiors, and public spaces worldwide. Every square meter of our material means kilograms of plastic that won’t end up in landfills or oceans. But success is not just about the idea, it’s also about the people who have your back.
From the very beginning, we have been accompanied by Tatiana Brichtová, a brilliant lawyer with a top team of intellectual property experts. Thanks to their strategic advice, we could confidently open up to the global market. They helped us protect the most valuable thing we have: our technology and vision.
Today, we have a technological lead that allows us to grow, scale production, and build investor confidence. It’s no longer just a dream — it’s a strong, protected brand with real market value.
If we were to give one piece of advice to innovative startups, it would be this: Protect what you create. Find an expert who understands not only the law but also your vision. We found such a partner — and it was one of the most important steps on our journey.”