12/01/2021 (Agence Europe) – In its strategic approach to lead the carpet industry towards a circular economy by 2030, published on 8 January, theEuropean Carpet and Rugs Association (ECRA) welcomes the EU Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0. It builds on innovation and on the sector’s huge - as yet untapped - recycling potential, as carpet recycling programmes have so far failed because commercial viability depends on high value-added applications. According to ECRA, the focus should be on improving technologies and facilities to maximize the value of the final product while continuing to increase the volume of carpet that can be recycled. The association advocates, among other things, ensuring that innovation is the driver of change, making new technologies and circular materials a constant for the future, and increasing the amount of sustainable and renewable products on the market. (AN)