Imagine if buying a sofa worked more like a subscription or a high-quality rental instead of just buying cheap stuff that ends up in a landfill. This project tests new ways for furniture companies to work together to make repairing and reusing a profitable business. It's like creating a new rulebook for the industry to move away from 'fast furniture' toward a system where products last longer.
The furniture industry is stuck in a 'fast furniture' cycle because repairing and storing used items is too expensive and consumers don't trust second-hand goods. New EU regulations on product passports and producer responsibility are adding more cost and risk for companies.
The project is building 7 validated circular business models (SHIFTERs) and an AI-based impact assessment tool to measure circularity success.
If you are a furniture brand dealing with the dominance of fast furniture and high costs for repair—this project developed 7 innovative business models that help transition to circularity. These models provide a way to lower investor risk and manage new regulatory pressures.
If you are a procurement office dealing with unsustainable purchasing habits—this project developed CPP SHIFTERs specifically for public procurement. This allows the public sector to lead by example in buying circular furniture.
If you are a logistics company dealing with high storage costs for second-hand goods—this project developed B2B SHIFTERs to manage inter-firm cooperation. This helps optimize the flow of used furniture back into the economy.
Based on available project data, it targets high costs for repair and storage and aims to reduce compliance costs related to EPR and DPP regulations.
The project is piloting 7 innovative business models across 6 different countries.
Based on available project data, the project focuses on creating scalable transition pathways and an AI-based impact assessment tool, but specific licensing terms are not listed.
It specifically addresses the pressures of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Digital Product Passports (DPP) to lower investor risk.
The project runs from 2026-08-01 to 2029-07-31.
The consortium is well-balanced for commercial translation, featuring 17 partners across 8 countries. With 4 industrial partners and 5 SMEs (representing a 24% industry ratio), there is a strong link between academic research (6 universities) and practical market application, ensuring that the 7 piloted models are grounded in real-world business constraints.
Contact LIBERA UNIVERSITA MARIA SANTISSIMAASSUNTA in Italy
Contact us to find the right SHIFTER pilot for your furniture business.
