The Kuchl campus of the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences has been committed to promoting sustainability and the circular economy in teaching and research for many years.
"In the Design & Product Management degree programme, students think about sustainable use and the cycle after the first product life cycle when developing products right from the start," explains programme director Günther Grall.
This enables resources to be utilised more efficiently, environmental impact to be reduced and socially fairer production processes to be promoted. Grall: "Sustainable design can produce innovative solutions that combine economic, ecological and social aspects and make a positive contribution to sustainable development in the long term."
Innovative projects as a source of inspiration
"The Ecodesign exhibition serves to open up new ways of thinking and promote innovative ideas," says Marcus Schranzer, Head of Academic Division Design at Campus Kuchl and initiator of the exhibition: "Design is the concept behind the product - and therefore behind the company. In my view, designing according to the principles of the circular economy is essential and there is no alternative!"The exhibition will showcase sustainable products and concepts from well-known brands such as bathroom furniture manufacturer hansgrohe and hygiene paper manufacturer Wepa Professional, which operates throughout Europe, as well as examples from the fashion industry. But also projects by newcomer designers.
Among the nominees for the prestigious award was 2023 Kuchl graduate David Soche with his project "Motex". As part of his Design & Product Management degree programme, he developed a click system for tools. Several devices share a drive train so that the motor and battery can be removed and inserted into other tools using a click system. This avoids electronic waste and makes an important contribution to conserving resources.
The Salzburg University of Applied Sciences cordially invites all’interested parties to visit the exhibition free of charge and without prior registration at the Kuchl campus (Markt 136a, 5431 Kuchl) during opening hours (Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm; Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm).
For guided tours of the exhibition, please make an appointment well in advance; school classes will be given special attention.
Federal Ecodesign Award: The award recognises designers, companies and students from Germany and Europe whose work makes an important contribution to the sustainable transformation of the economy and society. The competition has been organised annually since 2012 by the Federal Ministry for the Environment and the Federal Environment Agency in cooperation with the International Design Centre Berlin, making it the highest state award for ecological design in Germany. The basic principles according to which it is judged: Longevity, reparability, material efficiency, energy efficiency, low problematic materials and the use of renewable raw materials.