Afbeelding
Within the circular design research line, we distinguish three focus areas
- Circular product development
Design for circularity is conditional to meet ambitions around responsible resource use. The professorship pays attention to the redesign of plastic products. This can prevent unnecessary use of plastic, ensure better recyclability, and optimise the use of recyclate and biopolymers.
- Biocomposite design
Biocomposites are sustainable alternatives to wood, metal and concrete, and composed of (bio)polymers and natural fibres. The aim of this research is to develop new biocomposites that can be fully applied in, for example, the construction or transport sector, but with a lower environmental impact.
- Life cycle analysis
To arrive at the right material and design choices, it is important to identify the environmental impact of plastic products. This is why the professorship uses life cycle assessment (LCA) when developing new materials and prototypes.