Manufacturers look to source beyond supply chains

Closed loop recovery processes could soon be superseded by 'open loop' systems whereby manufacturers source and utilise waste materials from outside of their supply chains.


The concept of open loop remanufacture was put forward by InterfaceFLOR’s sustainability director Ramon Arratia during a debate on the circular economy at London’s Ecobuild show today (March 20).

InterfaceFLOR, a global carpet tile manufacturer, is already operating closed loop processes in its production operations in a bid to ensure all its raw materials are recycled by 2020.

It is now looking to go one step further and extract value from other, more radical materials outside of its value chain by encouraging suppliers to be innovative in sourcing and procurement.

Arratia said that new markets were opening up for post-consumer recycled materials based on their value, but stressed that high purity levels were essential during the reprocessing stage to make them fit for remanufacture.

Maxine Perella

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