Optimize Sustainable Product Design for Climate Neutrality
Approach product design with sustainability in mind to effectively decarbonize products and value chains for a low-carbon future.
The Critical Role of Early Carbon Optimization in Sustainable Product Design
With $88 trillion in goods and services produced annually1, resource consumption and waste generation have significant environmental impacts. Early carbon optimization during product design is crucial for reducing these effects and decarbonizing the entire value chain.
Material Selection: Focus on Low-Carbon Resources
Choosing sustainable, low-carbon materials in the design phase reduces a product’s overall carbon footprint and ensures resource efficiency throughout its lifecycle.
Lifecycle Assessment: Minimize Carbon Impact
A lifecycle assessment (LCA) identifies carbon emissions at each product stage, from raw material use to disposal. By embedding sustainability into design, companies can influence up to 80% of the future carbon footprint2.
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Perform Early Assessments
The concept of sustainable product design has long focused on using more recyclable materials to lessen the impact on the environment. These days, however, design decisions go further than this. Companies are examining each product lifecycle stage to understand better how a product is made and how it will be used.
As such, a complete product lifecycle assessment (LCA) is indispensable. Through Sustainable Innovation Intelligence on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, designers gain an agile and iterative development process to optimize every lifecycle stage to make more sustainable products with a longer lifespan. It enables them to identify and optimize the main carbon emitters throughout the lifecycle – from the use of raw materials and manufacturing to recycling and disposal.
Real-time data on the platform offers the traceability and transparency needed to design for disassembly. This means recovering materials and components for meaningful next use (upcycling) which maximizes their economic value while minimizing the environmental impact at the end of intended use – closing the circularity loop further.
Data and real-time collaboration across every lifecycle stage also enable designers to:
Redesign materials and components, and reformulate sustainable alternatives
Boost reuse of materials or create multiple uses for a single product
Analyze and optimize carbon footprint at each lifecycle stage
Design for Sustainability
Digitalization is key to climate-neutral product design. With simulation tools, companies can quickly explore design options and prototype efficiently. Generative design enables rapid development of sustainable products, optimizing for quality and compliance while reducing time and cost to market.
Incorporate Circular Design
Circular design focuses on creating products that can be disassembled, reused, and recycled, extending their lifecycle. This approach reduces waste and supports a circular economy, allowing companies to minimize resource use and maximize sustainability.
Optimize Supply Chain Emissions
Design choices affect the supply chain's carbon footprint. Lighter materials and optimized packaging lower production and transportation emissions. Additive manufacturing reduces waste and supports localized production, cutting logistics emissions.
Discover how generative design on our 3DEXPERIENCE platform can shape the future of product design in the following infographic.
Run Sustainable Manufacturing Practices & Initiatives
At a time when manufacturing and production consume 54% of the world's energy and produce 20% of global CO2 emissions3, it is only logical to make sustainable manufacturing part of a company’s business practices.
Designing products with locally sourced materials or components remains crucial to reduce a product’s supply chain footprint. In recent years, consumer goods supply chain accounts for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions and more than 90% of the impact on air, land, water, biodiversity and geological resources4. With local and distributed manufacturing strategies, the supply chain carbon footprint can be significantly reduced.
Choosing the right materials at the design stage can eliminate substantial manufacturing carbon footprint. For example, substituting hazardous chemicals that affect the environment directly with cleaner, safer and reformulated alternative materials. Additionally, improving forecasting accuracy, planning and process efficiency can reduce product wastage as well as reduce energy input for production. At the same time, non-renewable energy resources such as fossil fuel can be replaced with renewable energy options.
A sustainable product design can:
Benefits of Sustainable Product Design & Innovation
Embracing sustainable product design offers multiple advantages, benefiting businesses, consumers, and the environment alike. Key benefits include:
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Using low-carbon materials and optimizing design lowers emissions throughout the product lifecycle, from production to disposal.
Cost Savings & Efficiency
Efficient resource use reduces input for production, minimizes waste, and improves process efficiency, leading to lower production costs and energy savings.
Regulatory Compliance
Sustainable design ensures adherence to stricter environmental regulations, reducing risks and maintaining market access.
Brand Reputation
Sustainability strengthens brand reputation, positioning companies as leaders in responsible innovation and attracting eco-conscious consumers.
Consumer Demand
Eco-friendly products meet rising consumer expectations, opening new market opportunities and enhancing competitiveness.
Real Success Stories: Sustainable Product Design in Action
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1 Source: The World Counts. Consumer economy
2 Source: McKinsey. Design cost-effective, carbon-abated products with resource cleansheets
3 Source: World Economic Forum. How manufacturing can thrive in the digital world and lead a sustainable revolution
4 Source: McKinsey. Starting at the source: Sustainability in supply chains
FAQ About Sustainable Design Solutions & Strategies
Sustainable product design encompasses the art and science of creating products while conscientiously addressing environmental, social, and economic aspects. This holistic approach entails contemplating every facet of a product's existence, spanning its inception, manufacturing, utilization, and eventual disposal, all with the overarching goal of minimizing its ecological footprint.
By opting for sustainable materials, production methods, and packaging solutions, designers play a pivotal role in crafting products that not only serve consumers but also contribute positively to both society and the environment.
The realm of sustainable product design is experiencing significant expansion, demanding a distinct fusion of competencies and expertise. To embark on a career as a sustainable product designer, one must possess a robust grasp of design fundamentals, sustainability principles, and state-of-the-art technologies.
Furthermore, a keen sense of creativity and adept problem-solving capabilities are indispensable. In addition, effective communication skills are imperative for fostering productive collaborations with fellow designers, businesses, and stakeholders, all of which play crucial roles in shaping design strategies, practices, and decisions while addressing environmental impacts and meeting the needs of conscientious consumers.
Sustainable product design adopts a comprehensive perspective, considering the ecological, societal, and economic ramifications of a product over its entire life cycle. This embodies a holistic approach to product development, emphasizing the minimization of waste, enhancement of efficiency, and advancement of a circular economic model. The key components of sustainable design encompass:
- Rethink: Consider the environmental impact of a product from the outset and explore ways to improve its sustainability at every stage.
- Refuse: Avoid using materials or processes that are harmful to the environment, opting instead for sustainable alternatives.
- Reduce: Minimize the amount of materials, energy, and resources used in the design and production process to lower waste and emissions.
- Reuse: Design products that can be reused or repurposed, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for new materials.
- Recycle: Incorporate materials that can be recycled at the end of a product's life, helping to close the loop and reduce waste.
- Repair: Design products that can be easily repaired, encouraging longevity and reducing the need for replacements.
Here are some common examples of sustainable design:
- Upcycled Products: Items made from repurposed materials, such as furniture created from reclaimed wood or fashion made from recycled fabrics, reducing waste and extending material lifecycles.
- Energy-Efficient Appliances: Products like energy-saving light bulbs, smart thermostats, and eco-friendly washing machines, designed to minimize energy consumption and reduce carbon footprints.
- Eco-Friendly Packaging: Packaging made from biodegradable or recyclable materials, such as plant-based plastics or cardboard, reducing waste and environmental impact.
- Electric Vehicles (EVs): Cars designed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and promoting cleaner transportation solutions.
- Modular Furniture: Furniture designed for easy disassembly and reassembly, allowing components to be reused or recycled, minimizing resource consumption and promoting a circular economy.
Sustainable product design reduces carbon emissions by incorporating low-carbon materials, optimizing resource use, and improving energy efficiency throughout the product lifecycle. By focusing on lightweight materials, energy-efficient production processes, and renewable energy sources, companies can lower the carbon footprint during manufacturing, transportation, and product use. Sustainable design also promotes longer product lifespans and recyclability, further reducing emissions by minimizing waste and the need for new resources.
Circular design plays a critical role in sustainable product development by ensuring products are created with the entire lifecycle in mind, from production to disposal. It emphasizes designing for disassembly, reuse, and recyclability, allowing materials and components to be repurposed or recycled rather than discarded. This reduces waste, conserves resources, and keeps materials in circulation, supporting a more sustainable and circular economy that minimizes environmental impact.
| Aspects | Sustainable Product Design | Traditional Product Design |
| Materials Used | Uses eco-friendly, recyclable, and renewable materials. | Often uses non-renewable, resource-intensive materials. |
| Energy Efficiency | Prioritizes energy efficiency in production and usage. | Energy consumption is typically not a key focus. |
| Lifecycle Consideration | Considers the entire product lifecycle (design, use, disposal). | Focuses mainly on the design and manufacturing stages. |
| Waste Management | Designs for disassembly, reuse, or recycling. | Often results in waste without considering end-of-life. |
| Carbon Footprint | Aims to minimize carbon emissions throughout the process. | Less emphasis on reducing carbon emissions. |
| Cost | Can have higher upfront costs but savings over time due to efficiency. | Focuses on minimizing initial production costs. |
| Consumer Appeal | Appeals to eco-conscious consumers seeking sustainability. | Appeals to consumers focused on cost or convenience. |
| Impact on Environment | Minimizes environmental impact, promotes sustainability. | Often contributes to higher waste and resource depletion. |
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