SDU Innovation and Design Engineering (IDE)

We explore how design and engineering can drive sustainable and circular system change. We develop knowledge, methods, and technologies that enable products, materials, and industrial systems to transition toward more sustainable futures.

Our research combines design engineering, sustainability, circular economy, technology development, and innovation to address complex real-world challenges.

We take a holistic and interdisciplinary approach, connecting products, materials, technologies, users, organizations, and systems to understand how sustainable transitions can be designed and implemented in practice.

IDE works at the intersection of products, systems, and implementation. We collaborate closely with industry, public organizations, and policymakers to develop solutions that are technically feasible, environmentally responsible, and societally relevant.

Research areas

Design for Circularity

• Design for Disassembly
• Robotic Disassembly
• Product longevity
• Product reuse and servitization
• Circular product architectures

Design for Sustainability

• Sustainable product development
• Ecodesign
• Digital Product Passports
• Early integration of CO₂ and sustainability data into engineering decisions.

Material-Driven Design

• Circular and bio-based materials
• Textile-to-textile systems
• Material performance
• Design for recyclability.

Methods for Sustainable Transitions

• Product journey mapping
• Technology mapping
• Innovation gaps and barriers
• Roadmapping
• Foresight
• Delphi-based approaches for circular transitions.

We are driven by the ambition to create impact through research, education, and collaboration – contributing to sustainable innovation and responsible technological development for society.