RetourMatras, a Dutch mattress recycling specialist, has expanded into France with the opening of a new high-capacity facility in La Cavalerie, approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Montpellier. The launch is in collaboration with Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, the largest Ikea retailer. The new plant is capable of processing up to 750,000 mattresses annually and represents a significant step forward in Europe’s recycling infrastructure.

Each year, an estimated 4 million used mattresses are collected across France by Ecomaison, a producer responsibility organization, and processed through dismantling centers. The newly established RetourMatras site is designed to boost national recycling capacity by integrating advanced technology that enables up to 80% of mattress components to be recovered and repurposed. Among the key materials salvaged is polyurethane (PU) foam, which is chemically recycled into polyols—raw materials that can be reused in foam manufacturing.

Ikea plans to incorporate these recycled polyols into its upcoming Höjehall mattress collection, which will debut in the French market in July. In addition to recycled foam, the mattresses will include reclaimed textiles and metals, reinforcing Ikea’s commitment to sustainable product design and circular production methods.

RetourMatras has received ongoing support since 2019 from Ingka Investments, foam manufacturer Ikano Industry (which also produces Ikea mattresses), and waste management company Renewi. The group’s collective effort reflects a broader ambition to strengthen Europe’s circular economy. The expansion into France aligns with Ingka Group’s €1 billion plan to invest in companies and technologies that improve waste management and recycling systems across the continent.

“Through our investment in RetourMatras, we are committed to recycling the equivalent number of mattresses we sell by 2030,” said Peter van der Poel, managing director of Ingka Investments. “This new facility marks important progress in that journey. But we aim to go further. RetourMatras is now converting end-of-life mattresses into valuable materials that can be reused in 31 Ikea product families, including sofas and new mattresses.”

Van der Poel also emphasized the need for stronger public policy to support circular economy goals. “We call for legislation that prioritizes recycling over incineration and landfill. We believe extended producer responsibility schemes must be improved to deliver better recycling rates,” he said. “Additionally, eco-design regulations should encourage the use of recycled materials, and we are actively collaborating with authorities and stakeholders to drive systemic change.”

The La Cavalerie facility is RetourMatras’ seventh dismantling site, joining existing locations in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. According to CEO Mark Lewis, the French expansion marks a key milestone for the company.

“We are proud to bring our advanced mattress recycling model to France,” said Lewis. “This expansion significantly enhances our capacity and impact. We are committed to scaling our operations further, supporting more countries in their transition toward sustainable waste solutions and a more circular future.”