The Yecla Furniture Technology Centre is leading the European FRANCESCA eco-design project to curb the "use and throw away furniture" model.
The Yecla Furniture Technology Centre is leading the European FRANCESCA eco-design project to curb the "use and throw away furniture" model.
The Furniture and Wood Technology Centre of the Region of Murcia (CETEM) is leading the European project FRANCESCA, an ambitious initiative aimed at tackling the “throwaway furniture” model and reducing the millions of tonnes of furniture that end up in landfills or incinerators across Europe every year.
Promoted and coordinated by CETEM from Yecla, the project brings together 15 organizations from seven countries, including technology centres, universities, and companies. Among the latter are the Murcia-based firms Sancal and Fama, which will contribute their industrial expertise and strengthen the practical focus of the solutions developed.
Co-financed by the European Union and with a budget exceeding €5.3 million, FRANCESCA will run for three years and work to make it easier for European furniture to be designed, manufactured, repaired, and recycled more efficiently. The goal is to extend the lifespan of products such as chairs, tables, and sofas, improve their repairability, and ensure that their materials can be reused or recycled, thus preventing them from becoming waste.
The furniture sector is a key pillar of European manufacturing, but it is also one of the largest generators of waste. To address this challenge, FRANCESCA will launch this November, with the aim of moving toward a sector that is more sustainable, circular, and environmentally friendly.
The project’s main lines of work include:
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Designing furniture built to last, that is easy to disassemble, repair, and upgrade.
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Research into new, more sustainable materials, including those derived from recycling processes.
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Promoting circular business models, such as furniture rental, reuse, and refurbishment.
During the first few months, partners will develop eco-design tools, research innovative materials, and define a common framework for new business models. In addition, FRANCESCA will include open activities, training sessions, and events aimed at companies, citizens, and public administrations.
From Yecla, CETEM’s leadership of this international consortium places the Region of Murcia and Spain in a prominent position within European innovation applied to furniture and the circular economy, consolidating their role as a benchmark in industrial sustainability.