FLEXIKEG makes sustainable and durable kegs and won the Innovation award at the most recent Normandy Economy Awards, organised by the economic development agency AD Normandie. It’s a major asset to help countless businesses embrace the challenge of sustainability transition.
New Generation Kegs: Lighter, Recyclable and Versatile
What’s the idea? Make kegs that are lighter, less bulky, 100% recyclable and suitable for use in any position. Jean-Christophe Doux and Christelle Vigneau got the bright idea and made it a reality with a passionate team of 10. “Our USP is bringing several different qualities together in one product: it’s reusable like a stainless steel keg, lightweight like a disposable keg, it has pouches which means you can store beer for longer once opened. For example, one week for a stainless steel keg compared to at least 3 months with a Flexikeg,” says Jean-Christophe Doux. Another major asset given the current climate: it’s zero waste and reusable. “You can even fold it which makes logistics even easier. That makes shipments a breeze with far lower delivery fees.”
Several markets
Aside from its target brewery clients, the company makes kegs suitable for other markets. Winemakers, cider makers, fruit juice makers, off-licences and more. Flexikeg kegs have much to offer, including that you can easily empty 99.5% of their contents (drawing with compressed air or CO2 if you already have it). These two features have led the company to explore other applications with improved storage and drawing for expensive products or simple, inexpensive extraction for “tricky products” that currently require costly pumps. “We’re also considering expanding our range to include products such as compotes and sauces,” the president tells us.
Major projects
After turning over 100,000 Euros in 2021-2022 and making 400 pouches a month, the company increased its output sixfold in 2023 to 2400 pouches a month. “The target is to make 15 million in turnover in 2028 and make 150,000 pouches a month, the equivalent of 75,000 kegs,” says the Flexikeg founder. The plan will involve developing industrial machinery and increasing sales, especially export, starting with wine and beer.
Vital support
The director knows they couldn’t have done it without the support of the regional ecosystem. Starting with the help of the Region and its satellite agency, AD Normandie, through the FastForward Agrifood accelerator. “We were fighting on our own for our project before word of mouth led us to grants provided by the Region, then the FFWD Agrifood programme that introduced us to the Normandy Economy Awards. After feeling the sense of isolation among entrepreneurs starting out, we are conscious and grateful to the Region for introducing us to the ecosystem around us”, says Jean-Christophe Doux.
Thematics
