Circular Economy in Mechanical Design – From Thesis to Practice

Circular economy is not just a buzzword, but a practical approach to making products more sustainable. Our mechanical designer Arttu Laihorinne explored in his thesis how circular economy principles can be applied to mechanical design and what benefits they bring to companies, users, and the environment. 

I had been working at Huld for several years as a mechanical designer when I began my master’s studies at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. The program, Technology Competence Management, offered a meaningful way to combine work and study. It was during the Product Development Management course that the idea for my thesis emerged: Circular Economy in Mechanical Design. 

Circular economy is increasingly relevant from a design perspective. The goal of the thesis I conducted for Huld was to develop a training program that introduces both mechanical designers and sales professionals to its principles. The training covered topics such as reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling – all concrete areas where we can influence product lifecycles and environmental impact. 

Diverse Benefits of Circular Economy 

Circular economy is not just an environmental act, but a way to make better products. When circular principles are considered in design, we get several advantages: 

• Improved usability: Products are easier to maintain and repair. 
• Cost-efficiency: Components can be reused or refurbished instead of replaced. 
• Extended product lifecycle: Reduces the need for new acquisitions and conserves resources. 
• Lower environmental impact: Optimized material circulation and utilization. 
• Enhanced brand value: Demonstrates corporate responsibility and commitment to sustainability. 

The training was built on a broad theoretical foundation gathered from various sources. In the research, I assessed the target group’s knowledge and attitudes toward circular economy before and after the training. Participant satisfaction and suggestions for improving the material were also collected. 

Practical Tools Through Research 

The outcome provided valuable insights into how designers can promote circular economy through their work, while also creating better products for users and the environment. The research showed that the training positively influenced participants’ knowledge and attitudes toward the topic. 

Circular economy is a tangible way to develop more responsible and higher-quality design. It’s been rewarding to see how the training based on the thesis can serve as a practical tool for driving change. 

Building Sustainable Products – Beyond Tomorrow 

At Huld, we combine product design expertise with the principles of sustainable development in the solutions we design for our customers. In mechanical design and product development, we consider the entire lifecycle from ideation and concepting to manufacturability, safety, and circular economy opportunities. 

Contact us – let’s build solutions that are more sustainable, safer, and meet the demands of the future, and beyond.