Title: Design-for-X levers for product sustainability: a framework and a decision method

Authors: Marco Ardolino; Federico Adrodegari; Nicola Saccani

Addresses: RISE Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Via Branze 38 – 25123, Brescia, Italy ' RISE Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Via Branze 38 – 25123, Brescia, Italy ' RISE Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Via Branze 38 – 25123, Brescia, Italy

Abstract: Climate change and resource scarcity increase the pressure to reduce the environmental impact of products. It is widely acknowledged that decisions in the early stages of product design are responsible for most lifecycle costs and environmental impacts. This study focuses on the role of design-for-X (DfX) approaches as means to increase product sustainability, in particular in relation to the 'reduce' objective within the circular economy (CE) '4R' framework. This paper provides two contributions. First, it develops a conceptual framework encompassing 11 levers for the implementation of DfX approaches to achieve 'reduce' objectives related to resource efficiency and product lifespan extension. Second, it illustrates a three-step original decision method supporting managers in identifying the best-suited levers in practical cases, based on the relevance associated with different product design priorities. This method is applied to an industrial case study in the machinery sector, showing its practical usefulness.

Keywords: design-for-X; DfX; sustainability; circular economy; CE; framework; decision method; case study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLM.2022.125819

International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management, 2022 Vol.14 No.2/3, pp.231 - 254

Received: 31 Jan 2022
Received in revised form: 12 Apr 2022
Accepted: 01 Jun 2022
Published online: 29 Sep 2022 *

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