An interesting master thesis, supervised by REES researcher Mattias Lindahl, was recently presented at Linköpings University. The thesis answers how a design process can support the implementation of circular economy in an automotive industry.

The study involves a case of Volvo Cars and focuses on polymer components in the car interior. The design process involves a future shared mobility scenario which takes place in a megacity, in the year of 2028. In the scenario, Volvo Cars have a Product-Service System business model, with a shared mobility offer, where the ownership of the cars stay with the provider.

The study involves a proposed and evaluated design process for the early development phase with
special focus on idea generation. Prior to this, a mapping of the fundamental prerequisites, for
enabling the move towards circular economy, is done. A several number of prerequisites are
enabled through having a Product-Service System business model. This can lead to profitability,
which is the most important prerequisite. The prerequisites have worked as base for the scenario.
They have also worked as guidelines when forming the design process.

Read the thesis:

Design for reduced resource consumption during the use phase of products