Sustainability Is More Than a Material Choice
Guidance from our Compliance & Sustainability Specialist on why responsible product development requires looking beyond materials.
Today, sustainability is a priority for many brands, but it is also one of the most challenging topics to define and measure accurately.
A material cannot tell the full story
When discussing sustainable products, it is natural to focus on the material itself. However, a material alone rarely tells the full story. The environmental impact of a product is influenced by a wide range of factors, including raw material sourcing, production methods, energy consumption, transportation, manufacturing efficiency, and end-of-life considerations. As a result, two products made from the same material can have very different environmental footprints.
Likewise, materials that are commonly perceived as more sustainable are not always guaranteed to have a lower impact. The reality is that sustainability depends on the entire value chain, not just the material specification.
Assumptions can lead to the wrong decisions
This complexity can make it difficult to make informed decisions during the product development process. When evaluating materials without insight into production methods and supply chain conditions, it is easy to navigate blindly and make assumptions that do not necessarily reflect the actual environmental impact of the final product.
That is why we believe sustainability should be considered from the very beginning of a project. Meaningful environmental assessments require a holistic view of both materials and production processes.
Without understanding the full journey of a product, it is simply not possible to determine its emissions based on the material alone.
Where ideas become tangible
Our Material Library allows customers to see, touch, and compare a wide range of material swatches during the development process. It makes ideas tangible and demonstrates how different colours, finishes, and treatments can influence a material’s appearance, feel, and performance.
But the Material Library is more than a source of inspiration. It is a practical development tool supporting our expertise in materials, compliance, and sustainability.
There is no single material that is right for every product. Our guidance is based on each specific product, how it will be used, and the requirements it must meet. By considering everything from appearance, performance, and durability to sourcing, production, and end-of-life, we help customers understand the advantages and limitations of each option - and select the material best suited to the product’s purpose.
Turning sustainability ambitions into informed choices
As specialists in compliance and sustainability, we support our customers throughout the entire development process. By engaging in discussions about materials, sourcing, and production early on, we can help identify opportunities, evaluate alternatives, and provide guidance that enables informed decision-making aligned with your sustainability ambitions and brand values.
From swatch to footprint
Once a product, its materials, and its complete value chain have been defined, we can further support the process by calculating the product's expected carbon footprint before production takes place. This enables sustainability considerations to become part of the decision-making process rather than something that is evaluated afterwards.
For this reason, we believe that sustainability decisions should be based on data and expertise rather than assumptions. Through our Material Library and the expertise of our compliance and sustainability team, we help our customers make confident decisions and develop products that support both their environmental goals and business objectives.
Liv Bangshaab - STUDIO 9 Compliance & Sustainability Specialist
