FRANCESCA kicks off: a European project that will transform the way furniture is designed, manufactured, and reused

FRANCESCA, a European project led by CETEM has the aim of transforming furniture design, manufacturing, and reuse across Europe.

The furniture sector plays a crucial role within the European manufacturing industry, yet it generates a very high volume of waste: every year, millions of tonnes of furniture end up in landfills or incinerators. To tackle this challenge, FRANCESCA project is an initiative focused on making the sector more sustainable, more circular, and more environmentally responsible.

Coordinated by CETEM, the Technology Centre for Furniture and Wood in the Region of Murcia, the project brings together 15 organisations from seven countries (Chalmers Industriteknik is one of them), including technology centres, universities, and companies.  The direct involvement of industrial partners will be the key to ensuring that the solutions developed meet real sector needs and reach the market.

Co-funded by the European Union and with a budget of more than €5.3 million, FRANCESCA will work over the next three years to ensure that European furniture is designed, manufactured, repaired, and recycled more efficiently. The project aims to extend the useful life of products such as chairs, tables, and sofas, improve their repairability, and ensure that their materials can be reused or recycled instead of becoming waste.

Key areas of work include:

• Designing durable furniture that is easy to disassemble and repair.
• Exploring new, more sustainable materials, including those derived from recycling processes.
• Promoting circular business models such as rental or refurbishment.

In the initial phase, partners will be identifying specific needs for ecodesign tools, research new materials, and define a framework for new business models. The project will also include open activities, training sessions, and events to engage companies, citizens, and public authorities.

Chalmers Industriteknik is responsible for a work package on Circular Design and for activities related to digital product passport.