Market discussion - dematerialization

[dduncan]

Dematerialization is an outcome to make products more sustainability.  This includes, but isn't limited to:

• Selecting "better" material in the first place (less hazardous, less CO2 footprint to source it, ...)
• Using less of the material to meet form/fit/function requirements (light-weighting)
• Eliminating the need of the material (like door switches replaced or reduced by software)

In this thread, we'd like to learn what the practical opportunities are for dematerialization outcomes.  From this, we can catalog and prioritize capabilities and needs.

[dduncan]

We're aiming to kick off discussions on this topic in 2 weeks (first week in April).  Specifically to discuss needs for material-supplier selection for "make" parts, and the subsequent simulations of manufacturing footprints for "make parts" using the selected materials.

[AH_2209739]

Hi Dave, what also comes to my mind when I read yours is "Design for Recyclability" (not sure this is an englisch word). In other words how can I design a product so that I can tear it apart after its life and separate the materials to be recycled indivdually so that I dont end up with a material mix that requires even more energy to separate the precious materials. 

Hope that makes sense

Andreas

[dduncan]

Hi Andreas, yes that makes sense.  It can certainly get advanced, but a necessary and impactful design consideration.    Let's brainstorm some possible approaches here.  I'll check with my CAD, PLM, CAE, and university colleagues to see if there are at least partial and practical methods to use here as starting points.

[DaveGenter]

Hi Andreas,

Thank you for your response.  The only way I know how to deal with what you are referring to is to embed a scorecard that must be completed within the Cross-Functional Design Review process that ensures such action has been taken upon disassembly of failed or end-of-life items.  We have such a scorecard completed for every new system that we design and must be reviewed by our Distribution Business and Service organizations before implementing into production.  Note the scorecard I am referring to is a sub-scorecard (which has 15-20 "aftermarket" items to consider) within the 4-item Design for Sustainability Scorecard discussed in the recently released PTC web-site article.  I totally agree that if Design for Recycle-ability is not well thought through within the design phase of a product, the ability to effectively separate materials for reuse will be compromised.  Thank you for highlighting this important challenge.  I hope my response was helpful.   --David 

[AH_2209739]

I completely agree David. I could not think of a CAD or PLM function that would easily determine if a design lends itself towards recycle-ability. The classic design review is probably the easiest way to assess that for now.

Thanks 

Andreas

[dduncan]

If there are semi-automation opportunities, we can log them.  For example:  there are "manikin" and clash detection simulators that could be derived to inform mechanical separation.  I'll keep reaching out to tech folks on this one.  A British analyst asked us a similar question last month, specific to plastic-metal separation, and is publishing some research on it soon.

[KE_10602604]

It may be useful to call this activity "design for disassembly"... useful link: Design for disassembly/deconstruction - Circular Economy Guide (ceguide.org)

[AH_2209739]

Hi Dave, I just saw that Catherine Knicker gave a presentation at the Sustainability Week in London at the end of March.

Any chance that we can get the presentation?

"How can data-driven insights help manufacturers design more sustainably? Discrete manufacturers can improve sustainability across the product life-cycle through dematerialisation, energy efficiency and waste reduction–if they know which measure would be most effective and where. This session will explore real-world examples of how manufacturers can collect and analyse data to set their sustainability priorities, reduce scope 3 emissions and increase profit and market share."

Thanks and happy Easter!

Andreas

[dduncan]

Hi Andreas, yes, of course:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDptZ6mCG40&list=PLtiWyl13n05MUWeIKaSxcDThK2ST3j2IB&index=4