Product Design Scotland is pleased to introduce its ‘Design for the Future of….’ series. This series, to run throughout 2022-2023, will bring together innovators, designers and manufacturers to explore key opportunity areas for innovation in the next decade. The focus will be the role of design and its importance in supporting the journey from innovation to commercialisation.

In each event in the series we will focus on a particular theme, exploring the role of design in successfully developing new products and services to meet future market demand. We will hear from innovators and designers as they discuss real life successful case studies, providing a tangible illustration of best practice in action.

Design for the Future of…. Plastics

Plastics are ubiquitous in our day to day lives, providing a lightweight, durable material that is used in a diverse range of applications and markets.

It also represents one of the key environmental challenges of the day.

In 2020, global plastic pollution reached an estimated 400 million tonnes and with plastic production set to double by 2040, the problem is set to grow. It is clear that we must significantly change how we make and manage these materials in order to limit their environmental impact while retaining the many benefits they provide.

The role of design in achieving this cannot be underestimated. From designing for disassembly, recycling, and disposal, to incorporation of alternative materials and prototyping of patented materials and products, design, and its close interplay with manufacturing, will be crucial.

This event will bring together a panel of experts to discuss the role of design in the future use of plastic and its alternatives. As well as exploring some of the fundamental technological design approaches, we will also discuss additional impacting factors such as legislation, social policy, user behaviour and economic drivers. The event will also be an opportunity for innovators to connect with local design and manufacturing capability.

Product Design Scotland Networking Event

Product Design Scotland and CeeD (Centre for Engineering, Education and Development) will be holding a joint networking event directly after “Design for the future of…plastics”.

Please register for the networking event here.