Manchester Metropolitan University and Flair Flooring Supplies Limited KTP 24_25 R2

Flair Flooring Supplies is building a mathematical model to turn its rug-making business from a straight line into a loop, so that old rugs become new rugs instead of landfill. The problem is straightforward: the company currently follows a linear 'make-use-dispose' model, which wastes materials and generates textile waste. Most rug manufacturers have no practical way to recover fibres from used products and feed them back into production. This project aims to close that gap by developing a value-added model that calculates exactly how to reclaim, reprocess, and reintegrate materials at each stage of a rug's lifecycle. If the model works, Flair could extend the lifespan of every rug it produces, cutting raw material costs and reducing waste sent to incineration or landfill. The approach is not limited to rugs—the same circular-economy logic could be adapted by other textile manufacturers, furniture makers, or any industry that relies on woven or tufted materials. The immediate impact is on manufacturing processes and supply chains: less virgin fibre purchased, less waste disposed, and a business model that treats used products as inventory rather than rubbish.