It starts with R&D - Design sustainable products to reduce the impact on the environment

Companies must rethink product design in order to make a positive impact on the planet and to address the needs of a the new customer who wants to make a true change...

The R&D process is core in order to design real sustainable products that follow the principles of a Circular Economy

A Sustainable-driven business strategy already starts in the Research & Development (R&D) process. It is essential to design products that help to reduce the impact on the environment and that feed other business models that are based on true Circular Economy practices. Some basic guidelines that need to be considered when designing products for users instead of consumers are modularity, disassembly, remanufacturing and regenerative. Building modularity into products helps to reduce waste and allows to reuse and refurbish components once they wear out. Modularity supports the process of disassembly as a higher amount of product materials (raw, semi-finished, etc.) can be reused, recycled or sold for further use. A constant recovery of materials enables reverse logistics models based on repairing, sharing and remanufacturing processes. A modular product design can leverage regenerative materials rather than scarce ones or even repurposed materials from other companies' waste.

Sustainable Digitalization helps to improve the product design and the whole product lifecycle as it allows to design sustainable products and services for new circular business models. AI and Immersive Experience can help to better predict and simulate the impact of the products on the whole ecosystem and the users - along the whole product lifecycle. IoT and Digital Twins can help to collect valuable product and user data in order to optimize product usage, to limit the impact on the environment and create additional product services. Cloud Services help to add reach and to support the integration of all relevant business networks in order to support the different Circular Economy practices.

🌎 Know what your customers expect from your product (consider the full product lifecycle)

🌎 Understand the impact of your product on people and the planet

🌎 Constantly question your R&D process and identify areas to improve

I believe it is a time to revolutionize the way we do business. It is time for a Purpose-driven Wellbeing Economy. But to achieve this goal we all are responsible - customers, employees, suppliers, companies. We have to start designing, selling and using products that can be repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, recycled or composted - all with the focus on a circular economy that serves all beings and the planet. What do you think?