As part of the project, leftover materials and surplus CERAMIN products from craftsmen are collected through HAWO’s stores and returned to CLASSEN—and in the future, this will also include entire, already-installed products. The materials are returned in plastic boxes provided by HAWO at its stores. Once filled, these boxes are transported to HAWO’s headquarters in Heppenheim, from where CLASSEN organizes their onward transport to Kaisersesch to prepare the products for further processing in material cycles. The project will be closely monitored, evaluated, and improved throughout the project period. It reflects a trusting, long-standing partnership in which HAWO is open to innovative approaches and, together with CLASSEN, actively contributes to the further development of circular solutions in line with the principles of the circular economy.

“At CLASSEN, we are firmly committed to advancing the circular economy in the flooring industry and establishing solutions that span the entire product life cycle. We are therefore all the more pleased to be testing such models in practice together with our customers in order to develop a forward-looking concept for the industry. This form of take-back is one of many possible options for enabling material recycling of CERAMIN. A fundamental prerequisite for this is that CERAMIN is “Designed for Recycling” from the very beginning,” says Sebastian Wendel, Sustainability Officer at the CLASSEN Group.

“As a family-owned company, we at hawo GmbH are convinced that responsible solutions and a commitment to responsibility are crucial for the future of our industry. We have already successfully established take-back programs in other product categories, and we are now applying this experience—in collaboration with CLASSEN—to the CERAMIN segment as well.”

The pilot project will run through December 31, 2025, and will be closely monitored and evaluated throughout its duration. If it proves successful, there are plans to expand it to include additional partners—with the goal of further embedding the circular economy in the construction industry.

For more information about CERAMIN, please visit the website: www.ceramin.com