Sustainable washbasin collection

There are companies that have innovation and the constant search for self-improvement in their DNA. This is the case with Bathco, which is constantly investing in R&D to revolutionize the bathroom market with new products and materials. Sustainability and environmental stewardship are at the heart of this research, leading to the development of recyclable 100% cast-iron sinks with corrosion resistance comparable to that of steel.

The company draws inspiration from one of the most fundamental elements of our environment: earth. The earth itself stores rich properties and holds the purest iron within. Iron is an element very present in our lives, and Bathco has managed to transform it into the raw material for a revolutionary collection of sinks. This series is also manufactured entirely in a foundry in Cantabria, where the company's headquarters are located.

To return to the earth what belongs to it

We spoke with Eduardo López, sales director for Bathco, so he can tell us the ins and outs of this proposal.

For Bathco, Iron Collection is a very innovative proposal, why have you bet on iron for this line?

We were looking for a material that was innovative and, at the same time, environmentally friendly. We immediately thought of iron because it also had a significant symbolic component. It is the fourth most abundant element on Earth's crust, it is very present in our lives, and it possesses intrinsic characteristics such as purity, resistance, and durability.

Is sustainability one of the strengths of this line?

Yes, in fact, the slogan for this product line is ‘To give back to the earth what belongs to it’—a true statement of intent. These sinks are 100% recyclable and can be completely melted down and remanufactured. At the same time, they’re also made from recycled materials, using 80% recycled metals in production and 98% recycled sand in the molding process. This combination is not only sustainable but also highly durable. Furthermore, I think it’s important to highlight that the metal raw materials and glazes used are free of heavy metals and comply with European regulations designed to better protect human health and the environment from the risks posed by chemicals.

When thinking of iron, one might imagine a somewhat rough sink. What are the models you've developed like?

On the contrary, they are very aesthetically attractive products. Despite being a hard and dense material, iron is also malleable, which has allowed us to generate designs that are distinctive of our brand. We have the Begursa and Ribera models, which are oval and round in shape respectively, and in both cases, they are placed on a countertop. Furthermore, our team has implemented the possibility of enameling the finishes to offer an alternative to the natural dark gray of iron. Thus, with the technique we apply, we have created a white cast iron sink that fits into any environment.

And at a more technical level, how does iron respond in the sink sector?

The R&D work previously carried out to adapt this material to the bathroom sector has resulted in sinks with corrosion resistance comparable to that of steel. Furthermore, the mixture of components in its manufacturing and molding has generated a product that is lightweight yet possesses extraordinary resistance to wear and abrasion, so we couldn't be more satisfied with its implementation.

What role does research play in the company's day-to-day operations?

People are curious, it's instinctive and, in many cases, inevitable. For us, curiosity is the engine that drives us forward, excites us, and helps us overcome challenges. Being a curious company has allowed us to access opportunities we never suspected, led us to collaborate with universities, laboratories, designers, artists, and architects, among others. And it has guided us towards exploration that has resulted in new materials that are lighter, stronger, and more sustainable.

The production of this collection takes place in Cantabria, what does that mean for you?

Since we are a company founded in Santander that has also chosen not to leave our land and to base our operations center in Cantabria, it is a pleasure for us to be able to create synergies with other companies in the region. It is a way of betting on our own, of contributing to employment in the community, and of promoting a return that has extremely high value for us.