Circular Product Development

About this minor

Today’s society can be characterized as a throw-away-culture: many products are made to be used only once. This continuous production of new products contributes to a scarcity in raw materials and large CO2 emissions, while the discarded products affect our health. At the same time we know that 80% of the environmental impact of consumer goods is determined during the design phase. So therein lies the key to reducing the enormous environmental impact of products. 

With this in mind, the minor program Circular Product Development has been established. The main purpose of this minor program is for students to acquire knowledge and skills in circular product development through applied research (research by designing) in order to minimize the environmental impact. The resultant findings will be shared with real-world organizations and put into practice in the development of new products and design methodologies.  

In this minor program you will be researching a method of sustainable product development, together with other students from various disciplines. To get started with circular product development, it is important to acquire basic knowledge and skills in product design—especially if you don't have a formal training in it. So during the minor program, you will follow a variety of workshops on product development. 

Next, you will dive into the circular product development process. You will analyse the entire (value) chain: this means investigating the source of the raw materials, how the product will be manufactured and what happens to it during and after its useful life. By analysing this chain, the actual problem (value loss) of the product system can be determined. 

You will address an identified ‘value loss’ by using the ‘Design for R-strategies’. This could be, for example, designing the product for ‘Re-use’, ‘Re-manufacture’ or ‘Repair’. Choosing a relevant material is an important aspect of circular design. For example, will you choose a biobased material or a biodegradable one? During the minor, you will gain more knowledge about types of materials, their properties, and material flows. Furthermore, by performing a life cycle analysis (LCA), you will learn how to identify the impact of your product on humans (e.g. toxicity) and the environment (CO2 footprint). 

Your research subjects will be assigned to you by companies and institutions. One example of a project you could work on is creating circular alternative products for the Wadden Area to prevent (micro) plastics. Another example is creating alternatives for disposables used in hospitals with the aim of reducing plastic waste. During your research assignment you will take part in various workshops to extend your knowledge. Every week there will be a coaching session with a lecturer-researcher of the minor program. The knowledge and skills you gain will be collected. It will be passed on to a next research project and shared within the network. 

Who are you?

You are someone who:

• Likes to contribute to a cleaner world
• Is keen to learn about (circular) materials and techniques
• Likes to experiment with materials and techniques
• Wants to experience working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Passionate about solving problems

What will you learn

• Basic product design skills
• Applying and executing a value chain analysis (using the CIRCO methodology)
• Understanding and applying the ‘Design for R-strategies’
• Understanding the product development process
• Understanding and applying life cycle analyses (LCA) of a product
• Extended materials knowledge with a focus on sustainability and value
• Contributing to applied research and designing for a customer

Before you can start

• This minor program is accessible to students from Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering and Management, Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, Built Environment, Entrepreneurship & Retail Management, Communication & Multimedia Design. Students with a background in art combined with product design are also accessible.
• Participation: There will be a maximum of 20 participants, who will be accepted in order of enrolment, while also taking into account the (multi-disciplinary) make-up of the group.
• Minimum number of participants: the program will start with a minimum of 5 students