We are excited to announce the release of our wood and furniture roadmap! Created in collaboration with SMEs and research institutes of the alpine region, this roadmap illustrates the challenges and requirements of the industry and intends to guide SMEs in their transformation towards sustainability. It lays out critical actions and requirements, embracing circular economy principles and cradle-to-cradle approaches, and replacing fossil-based resources with renewable raw materials.
This roadmap is designed to guide the wood-furniture sector through a strategic and phased approach, aiming to achieve significant environmental and economic benefits by reducing the industry’s ecological footprint. The roadmap focuses on integrating circular economy practices and sustainability, including the use of certified materials and innovative technologies.
2024-2025 marks the start of pilot projects aimed at testing and validating the use of materials from certified sustainable sources. During this period, impact assessments will be conducted to evaluate the effects of these practices on biodiversity and local communities. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems will be introduced to optimize material usage and manage resource flows and waste in real-time.
From 2026 to 2028, the roadmap envisions scaling advanced technologies for lifecycle management. Integrated systems for efficient product tracking and end-of-life management will be developed. This phase will also focus on research and development of new sustainable materials, promoting cross-sector collaborations to drive innovation.
Finally, from 2029 to 2033, the introduction of innovative sustainable materials into the global market will be prioritized, encouraging widespread adoption of circular practices. The sector will work toward developing closed-loop supply chains where recycled materials are continuously reintegrated into production cycles. On the regulatory side, supply chain agreements enforcing sustainable forestry practices will be strengthened, supported by balanced economic incentives that encourage sustainable innovation.
You can see the roadmap here: Roadmap_Wood_And_Furniture
