New Life to Sails by New Life Contract
Recycled Outdoor Seating from Reclaimed Sailcloth
Sailing fabrics are engineered to withstand some of the most demanding conditions at sea, yet when sails reach the end of their nautical life, they can be difficult to recycle. New Life, the Italian design and manufacturing company known for innovation and sustainability, is redefining the future of these materials by transforming retired sails into stylish outdoor contract seating.
A Sustainable Vision from New Life Contract
The New Life design team, led by Alan de la Coba, has committed to a structured sustainability programme that repurposes sailing fabrics no longer suitable for marine use. Rather than becoming waste, these high-quality Dacron sails are given a second life as distinctive furniture, celebrating their durability, history and unique character.
The Dolcevita Regista Vela Collection
At the centre of this initiative is the Dolcevita Regista Vela Collection, a range of folding outdoor seating that includes:
- Armchairs
- Chairs
- Bar Stools
Each piece is produced from recycled sails sourced from the port of Trieste, Italy. These technical fabrics retain exceptional strength and weather resistance long after their time at sea, making them ideal for demanding outdoor environments.
The collection features creative print designs applied using water-based inks that penetrate the fibres for long-lasting colour and performance. Every seam, crease and mark reflects the sail’s previous life, ensuring that no two pieces are exactly alike.
Craftsmanship Meets Sustainability
Every sail is carefully inspected by hand, with the most suitable sections selected for their strength and visual appeal. Skilled artisans then cut and assemble each seating element by hand, ensuring quality and attention to detail throughout the manufacturing process.
The result is a collection of outdoor seating that is:
- Durable and weather-resistant, thanks to high-performance sailcloth materials
- Visually distinctive, with unique markings and textures that celebrate the material’s history
- Customisable, with alternative prints and branding options available for commercial projects
Why Recycled Sails Matter
Using recycled sails for furniture aligns with New Life’s broader sustainability objectives by extending the lifespan of existing materials and reducing waste. Sailing fabrics are specifically engineered to withstand UV exposure, wind, moisture and heavy use, making them particularly well-suited to outdoor contract furniture applications.
For hospitality terraces, cafés, hotels and outdoor leisure environments, recycled sailcloth offers a unique combination of durability, weather resistance and visual character. Each piece carries subtle markings from its previous life at sea, creating furniture with an appearance that cannot be replicated using new materials.
This approach demonstrates how circular design principles can transform specialist materials into practical contract furniture while reducing waste and extending the useful life of valuable resources.
Explore the Collection
The Dolcevita Regista Vela Collection demonstrates how innovative design, craftsmanship and sustainability can work together to create distinctive outdoor furniture with genuine environmental benefits.
Explore the Dolcevita Regista Collection to discover sustainable outdoor seating crafted from recycled sailing sails for hospitality, commercial, and leisure environments.