Sustainable Products

How can sustainability be incorporated into product development right from the start? How can core principles of sustainability—human rights, circular economy, protection of nature and resources, and business viability—be anchored in products? What methods and skills do developers, designers, and managers need to implement sustainable products in all their complexity?

The consideration of the sustainability of products and services over the entire life cycle in the context of the addressed need; absolute sustainability; transformation processes toward greater sustainability; and methods and skills for application in product development.

The Transition Lab supports the development of sustainable technical products. The name goes back to the method of “Transition Engineering” by Prof. Krumdieck https://www.transitionengineering.org/. It is based on the insight that complex challenges are better solved through continuous, purposeful development rather than attempts at disruption. It relies on a continuous process of development–learning–improvement and thus carries the basic idea of ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) into the synthesis of products.

IKAT’s Transition Lab is used not only for training in strategies for sustainable product development but also for research into implementing sustainability for industrial products.

Development and implementation of sustainable products

• Methods for developing sustainable products
• Knowledge of sustainable design and sustainable resource selection
• Product assessment in all life-cycle phases through life-cycle analyses
• Transdisciplinary collaboration with other fields for a holistic view
• Inclusion of existing regulations and standards

Developing reflexivity in product development

• Development and understanding of methods
• Handling uncertainties, problems, and ambiguities
• Implementing sustainability within companies

Research on and the practical implementation of sustainability in product development are substantially supported by student projects. This enables methods to be examined both from technical and group-dynamic perspectives. We will present some of these projects here from time to time. If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Development and design of an insect-friendly lawn mower — keeping an eye on species extinction

Studies on bio-based adhesives, coatings, and inks — bonding and coating without waste

Development and design of plastic recycling machines — reusing plastic can reduce our waste problems

Development and construction of small wind turbines — the energy transition for everyone