Designed and built to last longer
Circular product development: preserving value through good design
Circular product development goes beyond using recycled materials. It means designing products that last, can be repaired and can be reused. When reuse is no longer possible, we explore how materials can be recovered as raw materials. At PEZY, we connect design, material selection and the value chain to incorporate these opportunities from the outset.
These companies trust PEZY to turn their product ideas into reality.
What is circular product development?
Designing a product for its entire lifecycle, not just for its first user.
In circular product development, products are designed and manufactured to last. Safe materials, recycled raw materials, repair and reuse are assessed together. At the end of a use phase, we examine how value can be retained: in the product itself, in components or as raw material. The entire value chain has a role to play in closing the loop.
The invention of plastic has profoundly changed our world. Plastics offer safety, convenience, affordability and extensive design freedom. At the same time, poorly considered production, bad design and improper processing have caused major environmental problems. This is precisely why circular design is important to the way we use plastics.
Using plastics responsibly
Thoughtful design, appropriate material choices and attention to service life allow us to harness the benefits of plastics while reducing unnecessary single-use applications. Sustainability requires more than replacing one material: function, service life and end-of-life processing must be aligned.
Using products and materials for longer
By using products for longer, reusing components and reusing or recycling plastics wherever possible, we keep materials in circulation. We incorporate these options into design decisions instead of considering them only at the end of the lifecycle.
Closing the loop together
Circularity is a value-chain challenge. What a designer envisions must also be feasible for manufacturers, users and the organisations that collect and process products. That is why we consider the entire system in which the product will operate.
The design phase determines what is possible
According to the European Commission, up to 80% of a product’s environmental impact can be determined during the design phase. This underscores the importance of decisions concerning service life, material use and end-of-life processing. At PEZY, we translate this focus into specific design questions, with the aim of creating value for users while reducing environmental impact.
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Designing for a long service life
Circular design starts with a product that remains useful for a long time. We take the intended service life and conditions of use into account in the design and material selection.
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Enabling repair
During the design process, we consider how a product can be maintained and repaired. Making components accessible and replaceable helps keep the product in use for longer.
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Plan for reuse
Not every component has the same service life. We investigate whether the product or individual components can be reused and which design decisions are needed to make this possible.
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Designing for recycling
Material choices and the way components are joined determine what is possible after use. We therefore factor disassembly and material processing into our design decisions.
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Aligning with the real-world value chain
A design can only contribute to a closed loop if collection, sorting and processing are aligned with it. That is why we combine design expertise with insights from partners across the plastics and recycling chain.
European partnerships
Practical knowledge for circular product design
PEZY shares knowledge from European partnerships through publications and tools for designers and engineers. This helps turn circular ambitions into specific design questions.
Braster: breast examination at home
Preparing a medical device for production: bringing technology, ergonomics, enclosure and app to market in one year.
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Philips OneUp: mopping without a bucket
From concept to a lightweight, manoeuvrable and manufacturable product—with clean water, battery and tanks in one compact mop.
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Skinly: skin analysis in your hand
From front-end innovation to production: a handheld device with sensors and AI-based guidance, ready for international studies.
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Revolve Wheel: foldable and rigid
A wheelchair wheel that takes up to 60% less space, with a mechanism that folds almost by itself.
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Wavin Tigris MX: a secure connection
Engineering, trial moulds and industrialisation for a fitting that withstands temperature, pressure and variations in assembly.
View caseWhy PEZY
Circular development with PEZY
PEZY is closely involved in circular product design. We combine expertise in design and plastics with insights from the recycling chain. Our involvement in PolyCE and INCREACE is reflected in publications that help designers and engineers put circularity into practice.
3 locations
Design, engineering and manufacturing in close collaboration.
Pilot Factory
From the first model to small series, all in-house.
30+ years
Product innovation since 1995.
Great Place to Work
Recognised based on feedback from our employees.
Een toekomst waarin circulariteit de norm is
Circulariteit vraagt om innovatie, visie en verantwoordelijkheid. Door integraal te denken en te ontwerpen voor het volledige productleven, werken we aan producten die langer waarde behouden. We willen dat circulariteit de norm wordt: voor de producten van vandaag en de generaties die volgen.
Discuss your circular design challenge
Would you like to extend a product’s life, enable repair or design for high-quality recycling? Tell us what you want to achieve and which questions you are facing. Together, we will explore how circularity can become part of your product development from the outset.
Contact
Stel je ontwerpvraag
Beschrijf je product, je circulaire ambitie en de vragen die spelen. We denken graag met je mee.
Schedule a meeting
Choose a time that suits you. We will discuss your circular design challenge and a logical next step.