Page 16 - CFA_SG25

CISUFLO PROJECT

The CFA and its training arm, the Flooring Industry Training
Association (FITA), played a key role in the progress of the
development of a circular carpet (Ctextile) research workstream.
We spoke to Shaun Wadsworth, CFA and FITA Training
Manager, to find out more.

A installed 45 sqm of the prototype make this product viable for
major point reflected in
the CFA’s Zero Avoidable
carpet at one of its training centre
the UK’s commercial flooring
Waste in Flooring - A
Scoping Study (2021) is that conference rooms and monitored sector. Similarly, while the RFID
the effects of regular traffic and
technology was competent at
collaboration is key, which the wear. This lasted for six months, identifying the floorcovering, more
CFA believes CISUFLO made real. with the carpet in situ from July work will be required to make the
Through its training arm, FITA, 2024 to January 2025. Over this technology portable and practical
the two UK flooring associations time, FITA tracked more than for everyday purposes. However,
have played a significant role 3,500-foot traffic passes using a the groundwork so far has been
in the project’s Pilot 6 – Textile bidirectional people counter. The very positive. I am interested to see
Flooring Recycling research. trial included the installation of how market innovation will continue
Indeed, FITA’s research trials Radio Frequency Identification tags with the lessons of the CISUFLO
were vital for understanding how (RFID technology) incorporated to project.”
the high polyamide (PA6) circular act as a possible method to identify Reflecting on their involvement
floorcovering prototype at the the CTextile product and provide with CISUFLO, the CFA felt that
centre of the project’s CTextile recycling information when the
research might eventually come to product reaches end of life. The the overall organisation of the
project was very positive and was
be used in and transform the UK’s ability of the tags to be read and to pleased to be invited to witness
flooring sector. withstand traffic was checked with
FITA’s research trials took place an antenna mounted in the room. It firsthand the innovations in major
from May 2024 to February 2025 became clear, through this element European factories and research
16 across three stages: stage 1 – small, of the research, that to ensure any facilities. While directly involved
focused trials using commercial system identified will be useful in the CTextile workstream,
and domestic installation methods for identifying end-of-life carpets, regular communications across
in small control areas; stage 2 – in further consideration must be given workstreams meant that they
situ testing and monitoring of larger to the logistics of how frequently were able to see and learn about
scale trials using mainly commercial they appear within a floorcovering, developments in the CVinyl and
fitting techniques; and stage how easily they can be read, cost CLaminate pilots.
3 – end-of-life suitability testing. and durability. For Shaun, a highlight of the
Throughout the research process, Finally, for stage 3 the carpet project has been how bringing
there was great engagement was uplifted and sent to Aquafil different nations and work projects
from CFA members, including to be tested for circularity together has allowed for insights to
contractors and manufacturers, as requirements – and successfully be shared, whether that be lessons
well as support from the CISUFLO passed their criteria! This means learned in the development of
workstream including Edel Carpets that the product has been deemed different sustainable floorcoverings,
and Aquafil. fit to be broken down and reused or how European processes can
The goal of stage 1 was to in the flooring sector, creating a influence the way we think about
consider how the circular carpet closed material loop. sustainability here in the UK.
might be installed in the UK Throughout the project, Shaun As a result of this overall
across a wide range of possible notes that the CISUFLO partners collaboration, the CFA and
requirements. It included almost had regular meetings and kept to FITA have made some very
a dozen installation trials under deliverable timelines and worked interesting overseas connections,
varying conditions, testing the together extremely well. “It was strengthening the UK flooring
textile floorcovering in combination excellent to support CISUFLO’s sector’s collaboration with the rest
with subfloors, tapes, tackifier research, which promises to
adhesives, underlay and joins, offer some next steps in how we of Europe. Both the CFA and FITA
using traditional British installation understand sustainable flooring,” expressed an interest in working
methods such as stretch fit for areas says Shaun. “As installation must again with the other parties in the
including stairs and raised floors. work together with manufacturing CISUFLO project.
The results identified limitations in for new products and processes to Shaun concludes: “We are
how reasonably the thick pile, felt- work, being able to coordinate with proud that, on behalf of the CFA,
backed carpet could be installed the supply chain and provide our FITA could help play our part in the
for all purposes. With some results feedback has been an incredibly CISUFLO project to understand
proving more effective than others, rewarding exercise. how circular textile floorcoverings
it was useful to narrow down the “Although the product might be fitted and perform from
installation methods that FITA would demonstrates success as a a UK installation perspective, and
progress for further testing. recyclable, high-end domestic I look forward to any continued
Stage 2 tested the carpet’s textile floorcovering, more research opportunities this project could lead
performance in a live site. FITA and innovation is necessary to into.”

CFA Guide to Sustainability 2025/26