Integrating Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation into Organisational Practices - A Case Study of Kvadrat Really
Authors
Hvid, Julie Landboe-Christensen ; Mogensen, Sofie Rahr ; Feldmeier, Anna Schroll
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-06-07
Pages
113
Abstract
This thesis examines how Kvadrat Really, operating at the intersection of textile recycling and the furniture sector, can integrate the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) into day-to-day organisational practices. A literature review identifies a gap in translating ESPR’s requirements into concrete implementation, particularly for companies with cross-sector value chains. Using Action Nets and Political Process theories and methods from social science, technical studies and design practice, the study analyses the organisation internally and externally by mapping knowledge flows, interactions, practices and relationships. Through semi-structured interviews and a collaborative workshop with key actors from Kvadrat, Convert and Kvadrat Really, the analysis addresses ESPR focus areas and associated challenges around data collection and transparency across value chains, allocation of responsibilities, take-back systems, maintenance and repair, and overall product longevity. The thesis proposes a four-part action plan: clarifying roles in the value chain, collecting sufficient data to ensure complete product quality, establishing a repair and maintenance service, and re-evaluating the relationship between Kvadrat and Kvadrat Really to strengthen ESPR strategies across shared value chains. The study offers practical steps for companies navigating ESPR, particularly where recycled textiles are linked to furniture applications.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan Kvadrat Really, der arbejder i krydsfeltet mellem tekstilgenanvendelse og møbelbranchen, kan integrere EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) i den daglige organisation. Et litteraturstudie peger på et videnshul i forhold til at omsætte ESPR’s krav til konkret implementering, særligt for virksomheder med tværgående værdikæder. Med Action Nets- og Political Process-teorier som ramme og metoder fra samfundsvidenskab, tekniske studier og designpraksis analyseres organisationen internt og eksternt ved at kortlægge vidensstrømme, interaktioner, praksisser og relationer. Gennem semistrukturerede interviews og en samarbejdende workshop med nøgleaktører fra Kvadrat, Convert og Kvadrat Really belyses ESPR’s fokusområder og de udfordringer, der opstår omkring datagrundlag og transparens på tværs af værdikæden, ansvarsplacering, take-back-systemer, vedligehold, reparation og generel produktlevetid. Specialet munder ud i en handlingsplan med fire indsatsområder: tydeliggørelse af aktørernes roller i værdikæden, indsamling af tilstrækkelige data til at sikre fuld produktkvalitet, etablering af en reparations- og vedligeholdsservice samt en revurdering af relationen mellem Kvadrat og Kvadrat Really for at styrke ESPR-strategier på tværs af delte værdikæder. Studiet giver praktiske skridt til virksomheder, der skal navigere i ESPR, særligt hvor genanvendte tekstiler kobles til møbelprodukter.
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