Circular Flooring – Pioneering Recycling Process for PVC Waste

{title} {profile_1} ,

Polyvinylchloride (PVC) is widely used in the construction industry, for example in flooring applications. However, to date, only a minor share of PVC floor coverings can be recycled after their usage. Thus, valuable resources are lost. How can this be improved? The Circular Flooring partners aim to establish an efficient recycling process for plasticized PVC from post-consumer flooring waste, taking a decisive step towards circular PVC recycling in the European Union.

Project results

Following five years of intense research, the Circular Flooring consortium has proven that it is possible to produce plasticiser-free PVC recyclates from end-of-life flexible floor coverings. The solvent-based recycling process, which is operated with CreaSolv® formulations jointly developed by Fraunhofer IVV and CreaCycle, can efficiently remove critical legacy plasticisers from waste PVC flooring. The recovered PVC complies with EU REACH legislation and can therefore be used to produce new PVC flooring. The project thus supports the EU objective of establishing a European circular economy. For more information, see our latest press release on the project results.

Here you can read the press release.

Final conference

On 4 July 2024, our final conference was held at the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the EU in Brussels to present the key findings and results of the five-year research initiative. The final conference, entitled “New products from waste PVC flooring and safe end-of-life treatment of plasticizers,” highlighted the project's contribution to the EU's circular economy objectives. Participants had the opportunity to hear a keynote speech from a representative of the European Commission, watch the brand new project video and listen to a presentation of key findings from the project coordinator. A panel discussion with scientists, policy makers and stakeholders explored the topic "Turning challenges into chances: Pathways towards a sustainable circular economy of durable plastics". Read more.

New project video

Our brand new project video is out now! The focus of the video is on the benefits and aims of the Circular Flooring project, thus demonstrating the positive impact of the EU funding on the European society. It features three interviews with project representatives along the value chain.

Here you can watch the video.

New large-scale pilot plant opened in Freising

At the end of 2023, following the successful preliminary development in the laboratory, and a construction process lasting several years, Fraunhofer IVV opened a large-scale pilot plant on its premises in Freising. This was used in the Circular Flooring project to produce pure PVC recyclates. Read more.

Innovation Forum 4 Plastics

On 19 April 2024, the Innovation Forum 4 Plastics took place in Brussles. During the session „Innovative solutions for circular technical/engineering plastics“, project coordinator Dr. Martin Schlummer shared compelling points, shedding light on the importance of increasing the circular use of durable materials like PVC flooring to support sustainability. Read more.

MaterialsWeek

At the MaterialsWeek conference held in Limassol, Cyprus from 17 to 21 June, project manager Marcus Süß (BayFOR) presented the Circular Flooring project. MaterialsWeek brought together, for the first time, diverse R&I communities to promote advances in materials innovation across different value chains and industrial markets. The event also addressed challenges related to major policies like the EU Green Deal, Chemical Strategy for Sustainability, Chips Act, Circular Economy Action Plan, and Bioeconomy Strategy.

With this newsletter, we would now like to say goodbye and thank you for reading our newsletters!

The Circular Flooring Communication Team

Circular Flooring on social media