Circularity requires a shift in mindset from manufacturers, governments and consumers alike

Our global economy still operates largely on a linear model. “We extract raw materials from the earth, turn them into products, use them briefly and then throw them away. This process depletes resources, reduces their value and creates massive pollution,” says Francesca Ostuzzi, Professor at Ghent University, Kortrijk Campus. As a researcher, Ostuzzi specialises in making products and systems more sustainable. “It is clear that we need a different approach to product design. We need to move towards a circular economy, where materials, products and their components retain their value through repair, reuse or reintegration into production. This approach not only reduces the impact on the environment and the planet, it is also essential for our own future.”

Sustainable from the outset

Unilin is a front runner in this area. Flashback to 1960, the year Unilin was founded on a circular idea. “At the time, we used flax shives, a by-product of the linen industry, to make chipboard,” says Lasse Six, Sustainability Manager at Unilin. “So circularity isn’t a buzzword for us. It has always been our foundation, from day one until today.”

That is why sustainability runs as a common thread through all Unilin products. That mindset is present from the very first idea for a new or improved product and that’s essential. “How sustainable a product is largely depends on its components and design,” says Six. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve sustainability without compromising on quality. It’s not an easy exercise but our R&D team manages to steadily increase the share of recycled or recovered materials in every product.”

The recyclability of the product and its components is, of course, crucial in this process. On that front, Unilin recently achieved a world first and a major breakthrough. “We were the first to succeed in recycling the MDF and HDF  core of our laminate floors”, says Six. “That means the life cycle of the original material is multiplied several times over in one go.”

An endless cycle

A continuous flow of old or used materials is just as important and that is where Unilin’s Recover programme  comes in. “With Recover, we work closely with customers, logistics partners and local authorities to increase the return streams of production waste and products at the end of their lifecycle,” Six explains. Unilin also aims to collect and recycle used floors from consumers but the company’s ambitions go even further. “Of course, we want to scale up Recover, but we also need to think bigger. If the entire industry joins in, the impact will be much greater. That’s why we’re making our patented technology available to other companies through licencing, enabling them to also make their own production processes more sustainable.”

Circularity isn’t just about using resources wisely during design and production. The products themselves also need to last as long as possible. “That’s why we continuously invest in innovations that extend lifespan and enhance user comfort,” says Six. ”Our laminate floors are wear- and water-resistant and built to withstand intensive daily use, without compromising on aesthetics. We create floors that retain their quality and appeal over time, backed by our lifetime warranty as proof of our confidence in that quality.”

A change in mindset

Unilin’s efforts are resulting in big strides. “But to achieve a truly circular economy, we need to transform the entire system,” says professor Ostuzzi. “It’s not enough to simply redesign products. We have to rethink how to make and use them while protecting their value. The biggest challenge lies in changing the mindset across the whole value chain.” A good example is laminate flooring. “Technically, laminate can last for decades but many people replace their floors much sooner, not because they’re damaged but because they want a new look. This kind of ‘emotional wear and tear’ is just as important to address as technical durability.”

In other words, we must change the way we look at and handle products. Governments can play a crucial role in driving that cultural shift. New legislation, support measures and circular targets will shape the playing field for both producers and consumers in the years ahead. “Just look at the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal and the Circular Economy Act,” Ostuzzi points out. The first is a strategic plan to turn decarbonisation into a driver of growth for European industry. The Circular Economy Act is part of that framework and is expected to be adopted in 2026. The forthcoming legislation aims to create an internal market for secondary raw materials, increase the availability of high-quality recycled materials and boost demand for these materials within the EU. “In this way, the circular economy becomes a tool for tackling climate change, with less waste, lower emissions and more efficient use of resources. It’s the only way forward” , says Ostuzzi. Six agrees: “Those who commit to circularity are ready for the future.”

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