Rethinking Materials: Why Circularity Starts with Better Design Decisions

In a recent LinkedIn discussion shared within the PLM Green Global Alliance community, Jos Voskuil highlighted insights from Adrian Segens on the role materials play in circularity and sustainable product development.

The discussion emphasizes that material choices are about more than selecting components or reducing waste. They influence how products are designed, reused, repaired, recycled, and ultimately how sustainable they can become throughout their lifecycle.

Looking at materials through the lens of circularity encourages organizations to rethink product design from the beginning, considering durability, reuse, transparency, and long-term environmental impact as part of the development process.

The article raises an important question for organizations working with PLM and sustainability: how can material decisions become part of a broader circular product strategy?