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The Role of Design in the CE Transition of the Furniture Industry—The Case of the Italian Company Cassina

Author

Listed:
  • Davide Bruno

    (Department of Design, Politecnico di Milano, 20158 Milan, Italy)

  • Marinella Ferrara

    (Department of Design, Politecnico di Milano, 20158 Milan, Italy)

  • Felice D’Alessandro

    (Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Alberto Mandelli

    (Cassina Research and Development Center, Cassina S.p.A., 20821 Meda, Italy)

Abstract

The literature on circular economy has highlighted the need for more studies focused on investigating the journey of individual companies in the transition toward sustainable processes. This paper addresses this need by focusing on the furniture design industry, showing how the transition requires the re-organization of knowledge regarding materials, processes, technologies, and product quality. This assumption is demonstrated through the design research activity conducted in 2019–2020 as the first part of broader research by Cassina LAB, a collaboration between Cassina Research and Development Centre and POLI.design of Politecnico di Milano. Based on the analysis of the Italian furniture industry between constraints and opportunities, the aim of the research is to identify critical issues and propose sustainable and circular solutions, tailor-made for Cassina. Through this example, the paper contributes to the literature in two ways. First, it adds to the understanding of how companies are adopting the circular economy paradigm. Secondly, it contributes to defining tools to implement new forms of knowledge of materials and re-design processes to deliver products that are compatible with a circular economy model.

Suggested Citation

  • Davide Bruno & Marinella Ferrara & Felice D’Alessandro & Alberto Mandelli, 2022. "The Role of Design in the CE Transition of the Furniture Industry—The Case of the Italian Company Cassina," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:15:p:9168-:d:872261
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sasha Shahbazi & Anna Karin Jönbrink, 2020. "Design Guidelines to Develop Circular Products: Action Research on Nordic Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Kirsten van Dam & Luca Simeone & Duygu Keskin & Brian Baldassarre & Monia Niero & Nicola Morelli, 2020. "Circular Economy in Industrial Design Research: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-19, December.
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    4. Marica Barbaritano & Laura Bravi & Elisabetta Savelli, 2019. "Sustainability and Quality Management in the Italian Luxury Furniture Sector: A Circular Economy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-22, May.
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