Embedding circular economy (CE) principles into design and manufacturing strategies is essential to achieving a more sustainable industrial system. While existing design strategies such as eco-design and design for sustainability provide strong foundations, they are not always aligned with the specific demands of high-integrity sectors like aerospace, energy, and transport. This paper explores the development of Circular Design Principles (CDPs) that integrate material selection, product architecture, and lifecycle thinking from the outset. Through a combination of literature synthesis and stakeholder engagement, the authors propose a framework of six principles that guide decision-making in circular product and system development. The study emphasises the importance of value retention, design modularity, and systemic alignment between product performance and circular outcomes. These principles aim to support designers, engineers, and decision-makers in transitioning from linear to circular models across complex manufacturing ecosystems.
Reimagining Materials and Design for Circularity
University of Exeter, Cranfield University, University of Strathclyde, with industry and academic collaborators
Advanced Engineering Materials (Wiley), 2024
Fiona Charnley, Peter Hopkinson, Esmaeil Khedmati-Morasae, Ryan Nolan, Halid Abu-Bakar, Okechukwu Okorie
Research publication