University of Vaasa involved in developing circular solutions for the European furniture industry
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A new European research and innovation project, FRANCESCA, has been launched with the goal of transforming how furniture is designed, manufactured, repaired and reused across Europe. The project, coordinated by CETEM, the Technology Centre for Furniture and Wood in Murcia, Spain, brings together 15 organisations from seven countries, including the University of Vaasa.
The furniture industry is one of Europe’s significant manufacturing sectors, but it is also responsible for generating millions of tonnes of waste every year. Most discarded furniture ends up in landfills or incineration, creating increasing environmental and resource-efficiency challenges. FRANCESCA seeks to address these issues by advancing sustainability, circularity and the responsible use of materials throughout the furniture value chain.
Co-funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe programme, the project will run for three years with a budget of over €5.3 million, of which the University of Vaasa’s share is nearly €500,000. The project will work to lengthen product lifetimes, enhance repairability and enable more effective reuse and recycling of materials. Areas of work include the development of durable and easy-to-disassemble furniture, sustainable material innovations and the promotion of circular business models such as rental, refurbishment and extended product-service systems.
University of Vaasa to lead circular business model innovation
The University of Vaasa plays a central role in the project. Researchers from the School of Marketing and Communications will develop circular business model innovation methods that support companies in transitioning towards design, production and after-use strategies aligned with European Sustainable Development Goals. These methods will inform the project’s broader framework for eco-design, material selection and extended value-chain management.
Senior Researcher Erwan Mouazan from the University of Vaasa highlights the increasing complexity facing traditional manufacturing industries.
– Manufacturing companies today are confronted with a new generation of challenges. Integrating circular design principles pushed by new regulations, implementing digital product passports and managing extended value chains are becoming essential capabilities for closing the loop of material flows. Through FRANCESCA, we aim to support companies in navigating this transition and building truly circular business models.
In the initial phase, project partners will identify eco-design tool needs, assess emerging sustainable materials and build the foundation for new circular business models. FRANCESCA will also organise open events, training activities and workshops engaging companies, public authorities and citizens across Europe.