FLANDERS Flooring Days, which describes itself as the epicentre for flooring sector professionals, opens its doors for its fourth consecutive year.

This year sees an increased focus on sustainability – a topic that’s gaining increasing momentum in the flooring and textile sector.

Two pioneering projects, CISUFLO and Living Lab Carpet, showcase the possibilities of sustainable floor design. Find out more at Flanders Flooring Days – or why not share your personal expertise from your own booth?

Between 2-5 June, manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and prescribers from more than 78 different countries will descend on The Hub at Kortrijk Xpo and the showrooms of participating manufacturers.

Say the organisers: ‘This is your chance to discover the latest trends in hard and soft flooring, textile floorcoverings and finishing. Also in attendance will be Belgian textile and plastics research centre Centexbel, who will be sharing their vision for a sustainable future in flooring and textile technologies at their own booth, as well as through engaging seminars. Are you looking to take part at the fair yourself? Then be sure to book your place at The Hub without delay.’

CISUFLO sets the tone for circular flooring
The European Green Deal, introduced in 2019 by EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, aims to ensure a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. Part of this involves the creation of a circular economy, where raw materials are kept in circulation for as long as possible.

The flooring industry is also playing its part, as illustrated through the CISUFLO project. CISUFLO, short for Circular Sustainable Floor Coverings, is focused on the circularity of carpet, vinyl and laminate. Centexbel, along with its 18 European partners, have teamed up for this purpose, taking concrete steps towards creating a greener flooring sector.

Continue the organisers, ‘The project is centred around materials that are easy to recycle, encouraging the reuse of flooring using new recycling methods. With the smart product information system ePRODIS, you will soon be able to trace the entire lifecycle of a piece of flooring, so you know exactly how sustainable your new floor really is.

‘What’s more, CISUFLO is also developing new ways to remove or replace flooring more easily, without incurring waste or pollution. As for companies looking to also embark on the circular path, they can count on a new practical guidance tool. Want to know more? Stop by their booth at The Hub for more information.’

A new life for old carpets with Living Lab Carpet
Add the organisers: ‘Did you know that, in Belgium, some 1,200 tonnes of carpet end up in landfill each year? Most carpets are discarded after only 10 years, usually ending up as combustible waste. A real shame, as this is often entirely unnecessary. The Living Lab Carpet, supported by VLAIO, will help give worn-out carpets a second or even third life.

‘Living Lab Carpet investigates where old carpets end up and what condition they are in. The aim? To find out if they are still suitable for reuse, repair or renovation. From smart designs that encourage reuse to new business models and logistics solutions, Living Lab Carpet carefully scrutinises the entire chain.

‘To get all implicated stakeholders on the same page, they have developed a comprehensive training plan. In doing so, Living Lab Carpet is reducing overall environmental impact by 40%, while at the same time cutting resource consumption by 60%.’

If you want to make your own mark at Flanders Flooring Days, you too can be in attendance at The Hub in Kortrijk. Contact Cindy Collez via cindycollez@xpogroup.com to discuss your options.
www.flandersflooringdays.com