INTERVIEW FRANCESCA MILOCCO
Meet our sustainability strategy 2030
Dr. Francesca Milocco is the Global Sustainability Program Manager at Forbo Flooring Systems. She leads all our sustainability initiatives, focusing on emissions reduction, circularity, and creating positive impact for people across the value chain.
Francesca, can you explain the main focus of Forbo Flooring Systems' Sustainability Strategy 2030?
Certainly. Our Sustainability Strategy 2030 is centered on three pillars: Emissions, Circularity, and People. These are interconnected areas that together drive our commitment to the Paris Agreement goals. Decarbonizing our entire value chain is a major focus for us. But we are aware that reaching these goals requires more than
just switching to renewable energy. While renewable energy can cut about 55% of global emissions, the other 45% is tied to the way we create and use products and food.* So, to reach our targets, we need to redesign our economy and make circularity a fundamental principle.
Why is the transition to a circular economy so crucial for Forbo Flooring Systems' strategy?
Our economy traditionally operates in a linear way - take, make, use, waste but nature is inherently circular, with no concept of waste. Everything serves a purpose. Only 7% of materials globally are cycled back into the economy.** This linear approach isn’t sustainable; it’s depleting our natural resources and driving global crises like climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity. Without a healthy natural ecosystem, our economies can’t thrive. This is why we feel it’s our responsibility as a company to lead the transition toward a circular economy.
‘We need to identify the leverage points to create a ripple effect of positive impact.’
How does Forbo Flooring Systems' plan to implement circularity within the 2030 strategy?
We are looking at leverage points across the entire value chain. This involves everything from designing products with longer lifespans to developing end-of-life solutions and increasing recycled content. We are also committed to working closely with our partners, including customers, suppliers, and even competitors, because moving from a linear to a circular economy requires a collective effort. We need “virtuous collaborations” that amplify our impact and drive systemic change across industries.
How does the People pillar fit into this sustainability strategy?
People are at the heart of our 2030 strategy. Sustainability is ultimately about creating positive change for individuals and communities. As we work to decarbonize and transition to circular practices, we are also committed to ensuring these changes benefit our employees, customers, and society. This involves promoting safe, healthy workplaces, supporting the well-being of people in our value chain, and ensuring that our actions contribute to a thriving planet for all.
What inspires you personally in this ambitious 2030 strategy?
I often say that we need to identify the leverage points to create a ripple effect of positive impact. This strategy is not just about Forbo Flooring Systems achieving its own goals; it is about inspiring wider change. If we succeed in shifting toward a regenerative, circular economy, we will not only be contributing to a healthier, life-supporting planet—we’ll be demonstrating that sustainability and business success can go hand in hand.
*According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation
**According The Circular Gap Report from 2025
