Many modern products are really only designed to last one to three years. Then we dispose of them even though it took precious resources to produce them. This system with short lived products go directly against the intent of the 12. Sustainable Development Goal, that aims to ensure sustainable consumption and sustainable forms of production. 

With the research project “Designed to last” we aim to give small production businesses insights about what It would mean for the company, if they can prolong the intended lifetime of their products. We investigate, what it takes to create long-lasting designs and we analyze the consequences of longer living products in terms of competitiveness and show them how to work this new knowledge into their business plans in order to make it a part of a sustainable business strategy,  

For inspiration we analyze examples of companies, that are known for producing long-lasting products, like construction machinery from Hydrema, garbage cans from VIPP and vacuum cleaners from Nilfisk. This way we strive to give other companies new knowledge about the possibilities and challenges, that lay before them, should they change their production in the direction of products with longer lives and we demonstrate, how to implement a process model that can help companies develop a product- and business concept, that in every way is more sustainable. 

Project funded by Spar Nord Fonden

• Læs om projektet: Designed to last extending the product lifetime in small and mid-size companies
• Introduction video: https://vimeo.com/maydayfilmgodkend/review/455431532/bd42b924de

Contact

• Louise Møller Haase (PI) / Linda Nhu Laursen/ Peter Byrial Jensen - Department of Architecture, Design and Media technology