CISUFLO: minimising the environmental impact of the EU flooring sector

Description

The project, funded under Horizon 2020, aimed to develop a systemic circular approach to floor coverings.

CISUFLO (CIrcular SUstainable FLOor coverings) began by taking into account the challenges facing the flooring sector, and then factored in all aspects related to the entire value chain and to the products’ full life cycle (including business models, collection schemes, etc.).

Through six pilot projects, it created new circular floor coverings, improve the recyclability of the materials currently used, and encourage the sector to adopt a circular model.

The pilot projects focused on three specific materials: wood, vinyl and textiles. The goal was to minimise their environmental impact by improving sorting, recycling and reuse.

To engage a broader range of stakeholders and ensure uptake beyond the project, CISUFLO established a Transition Support Group (TSG) with over 30 members covering technology providers, retailers and collectors. Furthermore, thanks to the ePRODIS integrated information system, which serves as an extended product information software, CISUFLO products, equipped with a tag and electronic passport, will be easy to identify and sort.

The project has now come to an end: the results will be available here.

Main results
  • Product information system (ePRODIS) available via app
  • Implementation and evaluation of the six pilot projects
  • Definition of a circular business model and circular transformation plan
  • Cross-sectoral cooperation with other sectors and projects
  • New design for circular floor covering products (including vinyl, laminate, textile and biobased)
  • New installation system and recovery technologies
  • Innovative sorting and separation technologies for flooring materials and sustainability assessment
  • Innovative circular business models and plans
  • Delamination/separation process for multilayer flooring products
  • Defibring process + reuse of recycled wood fibres for High Density Fibre and Medium Density Fibreboard
  • Systemic Transition support tool