FSC and Partners Launch EU-Funded Project Worth 6.7 Million Euros to Strengthen Circularity in Forest-Based Value Chains

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has secured substantial EU LIFE funding for a €6.7 million project, of which €4 million is provided by the EU LIFE programme, together with a broad range of project partners. 

The funding will support an exploration of more efficient and responsible use of fibre-based materials in Europe, building on the credibility and robustness of FSC’s certification system. The FSC EU LIFE FIBRA project will look at how FSC can strengthen its existing recycling solutions, support potential circular business models such as reuse, repair, and take-back, examine how agricultural waste streams may play a role in the FSC system, and support companies and public buyers in making more responsible material choices.

Building on FSC’s existing systems, standards and core mission of promoting responsible forest stewardship, the project will strengthen FSC’s role in a changing market.

“As the way we use materials changes, FSC is evolving with it,” said Subhra Bhattacharjee, Director General of FSC. “This project will define our role in a future market, from the way materials are sourced to the way they are kept in circulation over time.”

Growing demand for fibres requires new ways of thinking

FSC has been championing forest regeneration for over 30 years and with the introduction of the FSC RECYCLED label 15 years ago FSC has been directly supporting recycling too. But recycling and renewable fibres aren’t enough.

As demand for renewable materials grows across Europe, industries in packaging, construction, furniture, and other sectors are turning to forest-based fibres instead of fossil-based resources to cut carbon emissions and support climate objectives.

However, relying solely on virgin forest resources is not a sustainable long-term solution.

In parallel, companies are facing increasing regulatory requirements under EU sustainability legislation, including expectations around resource efficiency, circularity, and traceability. FSC could play a key role in supporting companies in compliance.

Thanks to the EU LIFE programme, FSC can now scale its work on exploring solutions in a broad and structured way.

The FSC EU LIFE FIBRA project

FSC’s existing systems are designed for linear supply chains and do not adequately capture circular flows.

The project will develop and pilot tools, guidance, and verification approaches for how to enable circularity in FSC and focus on exploring four key areas:

• potential circular business models in FSC Chain of Custody, including piloting a Circular Economy reporting module
• support increased uptake of recycled materials including market guidance and public procurement support
• explore how to potentially integrate alternative fibre sources such as agricultural residues from certified sources into FSC certified supply chains
• exploring potential approaches to cascading use of fibres supported by improved traceability and digital integration.

Together, these activities are designed to be fit for FSC’s existing certification system and provide practical, scalable support for companies adapting to evolving market and regulatory requirements.

“This funding allows us to scale work that we have been laying the groundwork for over the past three years,” said Loa Dalgaard Worm, Global Lead of the FSC Circularity Hub. “It is important to me that we develop solutions that are fit for market demand and deliver real impact on the ground, without reinventing what FSC stands for: ensuring that the true value of forests for nature, the economy, and society is recognized.”

The project will be implemented across eight European countries (Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, and France), with partners from industry, academia, and civil society.

The project consortium behind the project consists of FSC International, FSC Denmark, FSC Sweden, FSC Finland, FSC Germany, FSC Netherlands, FSC Italy, FSC France, Aarhus University, University of Southern Denmark, Circle Economy, ECOS, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and Ellen MacArthur Foundation. 

Curious to learn more about FSC’s work as part of this project? Read more here.

This project and its implementation has been supported by the EU LIFE programme. 

Source: FSC

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