Knowledge management as a support of an efficient Ecodesign

Abstract

Design and development of new products often has to take place within a predetermined time frame and budget. While there are years of experience on how to efficiently incorporate technical requirements into products there is a lack of knowledge concerning the consideration and evaluation of ecological aspects like those addressed by recent legal regulations. Technological innovations help to meet these requirements. However, resource and time restrictions prohibit the evaluation of innovative alternatives, because evaluating a process is time consuming and therefore costly. The goal of the research project E2Pro is to offer product designers and developers an easy access to knowledge about innovative materials and technologies. With this offer less effort and resources have to be spent in order to evaluate the application of innovative material or technologies in a new product.