Under development — prototype testing
From used balls to new meeting places
Bålsækk develops compact, padded seating for tennis and padel environments. Delivered flat and filled locally with used balls, the concept combines practical club furniture with a simple form of local reuse.
Currently in prototype and testing phase.
Problem
A short playing life. A long-lasting problem.
Hundreds of millions of tennis and padel balls are taken out of use globally every year. Because the balls combine vulcanised rubber, felt and strong adhesives, they are difficult to process through ordinary recycling systems. Most clubs therefore have few simple and practical alternatives once the balls are no longer suitable for play.
Hundreds of millions of balls
Taken out of use globally each year
Mixed materials
Rubber, felt and adhesives are difficult to separate
Limited local solutions
Most clubs still lack simple reuse systems
Solution
Reuse locally. Sit comfortably.
Bålsækk gives tennis and padel clubs a practical way to reuse their own worn balls locally. Whole balls are placed inside a removable inner chamber and become part of the core of a padded seating product. The foam structure provides shape and comfort, while the balls provide volume, secondary cushioning and a direct connection to the sporting environment.
Local filling
Clubs use their own collected balls
Whole balls
No shredding, cutting or material separation is required
Padded construction
Foam separates the user from the balls and maintains the product shape
Removable core
The balls can later be removed, replaced or sent to specialised recycling
Delivery
Ships flat. Filled locally.
Bålsækk is designed to arrive compact and be filled at the club with used tennis or padel balls. The balls become part of the internal core of a padded seating product, giving them a practical second use in the same sporting environment they came from.
01
Delivered flat
The cover and internal structure arrive compact.
02
Filled locally
The club adds its own used tennis or padel balls.
03
Closed and ready
The puff is closed after filling.
04
Move and use
The integrated handle makes it easier to position around the club.
Construction
Structured from the inside
An internal chamber system helps distribute the used balls throughout the puff, supporting the shape and creating a more stable seating experience. Padding between the user and the ball core provides comfort while preserving the distinctive Bålsækk concept.
A small rear window reveals the material story inside.
Compact by design
Bålsækk is intentionally being developed as a compact seating product. The goal is to use enough balls to create a meaningful reuse solution without making the furniture unnecessarily large, heavy or difficult to move.
- Compact footprint
- Comfortable seating height
- Integrated carry handle
- Controlled ball capacity
- Designed for club environments
Currently in prototype and testing phase. Final dimensions, materials and ball capacity may change during development.
Lifecycle
Designed for another life
The outer cover, foam structure and ball chamber are designed as separate components. The product can be opened, maintained and refilled, while the used balls remain removable throughout the product's lifetime.
01
Collect
02
Fill
03
Use
04
Refill
Product
The Bålsækk Puff
The first Bålsækk product under development is a compact, padded puff designed for club lounges, indoor tennis halls, waiting areas and courtside social spaces.
The puff is being developed with a removable inner ball chamber, foam padding between the user and the balls, and a durable outer cover suitable for demanding sports environments.
The long-term ambition is a broader range of seating products, but the puff is the clear first direction: comfortable, easy to move and filled locally with the club's own used balls.
Flat-pack delivery
The cover and internal structure ship compact and are filled at the club.
Removable ball core
An inner chamber system holds whole balls and can be opened, emptied and refilled.
Padded construction
Foam separates the user from the balls and maintains the product shape.
Easy to move
A compact footprint and integrated carry handle suit busy club environments.
Concept visuals. Final dimensions, materials and construction may change during prototype development.
Development
Currently in development
Bålsækk is still in the prototype and testing phase. We are currently developing the puff's dimensions, foam construction, internal ball chambers, durability and comfort.
The final design may therefore differ from the concept illustrations shown on this website.
01
Collect used balls
02
Develop the construction
03
Test comfort and durability
04
Prepare for pilot production
Community
Made for tennis environments
Bålsækk is designed for the places where players, coaches, parents and spectators meet.
The puff can be used courtside, in club lounges, reception areas, player zones and social spaces where flexible seating is needed.
About
The idea behind Bålsækk
Bålsækk was created from a simple question: Can used tennis and padel balls become part of something useful, visible and valuable?
The ambition is to develop practical seating products that belong naturally in the environments where the balls were originally used.
Founder & Operations
Henrik Norvald & Janja Humar
Bålsækk is founded by Henrik Norvald — Norwegian entrepreneur, tennis coach, tournament organiser and chairman of Halden Tennis Club. After watching thousands of balls thrown away year after year, he set out to develop a seating product that clubs would actually want to use every day.
Janja Humar is engaged as CEO and is operational in the day-to-day running of Bålsækk, turning the idea into a focused, growing company.
Contact
Interested in the development?
We are currently speaking with tennis clubs, padel centres, suppliers and potential pilot customers.
Contact us if you are interested in testing the product, contributing used balls or following the development.
Phone
+47 993 09 155