Project Launch: “Rethinking Circularity in the Cruise Industry”

From Existing Approaches to New Circular Solutions

Regular refurbishments and shipyard stays on cruise ships generate various materials from interior furnishings, including carpets, curtains and mattresses. Reusing, refurbishing or recycling these materials offers opportunities to keep resources in use for longer and close material loops.

Since early 2025, AIDA Cruises has been implementing initial circular economy approaches together with Ocean Circle GmbH as part of its fleet modernisation programme, AIDA Evolution. End-of-life carpets, curtains and canopy fabrics are recovered and repurposed for new applications, particularly as underlay for new carpeted areas on board. In addition, fully recyclable carpets designed for subsequent material recovery are being introduced for the first time.

The new project builds on these experiences. Existing measures will be scientifically examined to assess their environmental impacts and identify further opportunities for developing circular material flows in ship interior furnishings.

Circular economy is an important approach for us to keep resources in use for as long as possible and make meaningful use of materials beyond their original purpose. AIDA Evolution, in particular, offers an opportunity to test new solutions directly in practice. This joint project will help us systematically investigate and scientifically evaluate further opportunities, says Dirk Inger, Senior Vice President Communication & Sustainability at AIDA Cruises.

Scientific Assessment and Practical Testing

Fraunhofer UMSICHT provides scientific support for the project. Life cycle assessments will be used to examine the environmental impacts of existing circular economy approaches. In addition, the project partners will analyse material and resource flows associated with ship interior furnishings to identify further potential for reuse, refurbishment and recycling.

Based on these findings, new circular economy approaches will be developed, evaluated and assessed for their practical feasibility. Selected solutions may subsequently be tested at AIDA Cruises.

The partners will combine their respective areas of expertise: AIDA Cruises contributes its experience in ship operations and fleet modernisation, Ocean Circle GmbH provides expertise in implementing circular solutions, and Fraunhofer UMSICHT contributes scientific guidance. Futouris coordinates the project and facilitates the transfer of knowledge across the tourism industry.

Insights for the Entire Tourism Industry

The project findings are intended to benefit the wider industry. Specific recommendations for cruise operators will therefore be developed, and the transferability of suitable approaches to the hotel industry will be assessed. A practical industry guide will consolidate the findings and support companies in further developing their own circular economy approaches.

With this project, we aim not only to investigate and further develop specific circular economy approaches for ship interior furnishings, but also to make the findings useful for the industry as a whole. That is why we will develop concrete recommendations for cruise operators, assess the transferability of suitable approaches to the hotel industry, and consolidate the results in a practical industry guide, says Swantje Lehners, Managing Director of Futouris e.V.

The joint project thus combines practical experience from the cruise industry with scientific assessment and knowledge transfer across the sector. Its aim is to advance existing circular economy approaches and unlock new opportunities for resource-efficient material use in tourism.