In a world that is simultaneously confronted with dwindling resources and increasing environmental pollution, the need for sustainable materials in product development is coming into focus. The use of recycled materials is not only a decisive step towards a greener economy, but also represents a comprehensive rethink in product design and manufacturing. This paradigm shift aims to extend the life cycle of materials, reduce waste and minimize dependence on non-renewable resources. At the same time, the use of recyclates also entails a change in the product development process, in which the development experts at M.TEC can support you in your projects.
Do you want to integrate sustainable materials into your product development process?
The consideration of sustainable materials in the development process is associated with various challenges in order to guarantee an economically successful, future-proof product. How do sustainable materials affect the quality and performance of the product? Which sustainable material options are available and which are suitable for the product? What is the life cycle of the desired material, including extraction, processing, use and disposal or recycling? What costs are associated with or can be saved by using sustainable materials?
M.TEC specializes in integrating sustainable materials into product development. With a combination of advanced technology, such as AI-based optimization tools, and extensive industry knowledge, we offer not only innovative but also economically viable solutions for your projects. We understand the complexity and variability of recycled materials and can ensure that your products meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability when using sustainable materials. With our approach, we help you maximize product safety while minimizing environmental impact.
Sustainable materials: Our expertise
The consideration of recycled materials in product development is not only a question of sustainability, but also an engineering challenge. These materials are usually divided into two main categories:
Post Industrial Material: these are materials that are left over from the manufacturing of products and include:
- Scrap: rejects during the production phase
- Sprues: Excess material from injection molding processes
- Defective components: Components that do not meet specifications
Post-consumer material: These materials originate from final consumption and can be represented by the yellow bag (packaging material), discarded carpets or dismantled vehicles.
The qualification of new materials is essential in order to optimize the reuse of recyclates. Aspects such as the degree of purity and the material mix are crucial, as they influence the fluctuation of material parameters. These fluctuations can vary depending on the country of origin, manufacturer and production batches.
The processability and process reliability of these materials are often more difficult to guarantee than with new materials. Factors such as mechanical, chemical, rheological and shrinkage properties must be carefully examined.
In product development, constant material properties are traditionally assumed. Injection molding tools, for example, are designed for a specific material and it is assumed that the material is available in sufficient quantity and quality. This is in contrast to recycled materials, where availability and quality can vary. Here, the material must be assumed to be variable in the design and a parameter space with minimum and maximum material properties must be defined.
MATERIAL SCOUTING FOR YOUR PRODUCT
We offer you the independent examination of your product by M.TEC with regard to sustainable materials (recycled material, biodegradable, bio-based, etc.) with the:
"M.SCOUT Materials" service package:
- Specification of technical and regulatory component requirements
- Analysis of critical parameters and corresponding material specification
- Evaluation of costs and availability
- Design taking into account worst-case scenarios
- Safeguarding complex, contradictory functional relationships
Excursus M.OPT
The optimization goal is to minimize fluctuations in product properties as material properties change. An AI-based approach is increasingly preferred in order to achieve viable solutions at a reasonable cost. This approach makes it possible to take into account the varying properties of recycled materials as early as the design phase.
Sustainability and the circular economy are becoming increasingly important in development projects, as they cannot be adequately taken into account in traditional development processes. A holistic approach and clear focus in the definition and concept phase are crucial for the development of successful products and business models.
The targeted use of modern processes, especially AI-based methods, opens up new possibilities. An adapted product development process in which material requirements are defined at an earlier stage is essential. From a development perspective, the material is no longer viewed as a constant, but as a variable factor that enables innovative and sustainable product solutions.