Circular Design

Circular Design: How do I increase recyclability and intensity of use?

© Fraunhofer UMSICHT
Design modular constructed child seat

In a circular economy, products are kept in circulation for as long as possible and used as intensively as feasible by consumers. At the end of their life, they are recycled as completely as it is possible so that new products can be made from the materials.

To increase recyclability and useful life, we bring together knowledge about recyclable materials and their processing, recyclable design, new business models, consumer perspectives and sustainability assessment in a design process. Starting from idea generation up to the functional prototype, we develop product-specific demonstrators in order to be able to hold the new product concept in our hands in the shortest possible time.

© Fraunhofer UMSICHT
Prototype: child seat module implemented as a mono-material approach from CCPE plastics
© Fraunhofer UMSICHT
CAD model child seat module
© Fraunhofer UMSICHT
Disassembled starting product