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Life Cycle-Based Product Sustainability Assessment Employing Quality and Cost

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  • Dominika Siwiec

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstancow Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Andrzej Pacana

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstancow Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland)

Abstract

Current issues in sustainable development concern research on comprehensiveness, coherence and practicality. Therefore, the objective was to develop and test a novelty approach to product sustainability assessment based on life cycle, quality, and costs. This approach extends the iterative design thinking process (DT), including overcoming the limitations of existing LCSA methods. We present a systematic process for obtaining and processing customer requirements with a survey and Pareto–Lorenz analysis. Then, using an algorithm developed in Matlab R2021a program, we generated product prototypes considering the key criteria presented in various dimensions of current and modified states. Next, we propose the modeling of prospective LCA for all prototypes in the OpenLCA program with Ecoinvent database. Finally, we aggregated the results considering the cost of prototypes in environmental–cost analysis to determine the direction of product sustainability. We tested this approach in detail with the example of vacuum cleaners for domestic and commercial use. After a literature review and survey research in customers, we developed 54 prototypes, where the modified key quality criteria were as follows: vacuum in the suction pipe, engine power, operating range, and length of the power cable. Using this approach, it was possible to select six prototypes that best meet customer requirements, are environmentally friendly, and cost-effective. Finally, we discuss contributions to DT and LCSA methodologies, and propose future directions for development within the application of artificial intelligence (AI). This approach can be a practical application in SMEs already in the early stages of product development (conceptualization), where access to detailed data is limited.

Suggested Citation

  • Dominika Siwiec & Andrzej Pacana, 2025. "Life Cycle-Based Product Sustainability Assessment Employing Quality and Cost," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-26, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3430-:d:1633151
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Somayeh Rezaei Kalvani & Amir Hamzah Sharaai & Ibrahim Kabir Abdullahi, 2021. "Social Consideration in Product Life Cycle for Product Social Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-22, October.
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    3. Grzegorz Ostasz & Dominika Siwiec & Andrzej Pacana, 2022. "Model to Determine the Best Modifications of Products with Consideration Customers’ Expectations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-21, October.
    4. Dominika Siwiec & Andrzej Pacana, 2021. "A Pro-Environmental Method of Sample Size Determination to Predict the Quality Level of Products Considering Current Customers’ Expectations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-22, May.
    5. Nicolas Rösch & Victor Tiberius & Sascha Kraus, 2023. "Design thinking for innovation: context factors, process, and outcomes," European Journal of Innovation Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 26(7), pages 160-176, March.
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    7. Andrzej Pacana & Dominika Siwiec & Lucia Bednárová, 2020. "Method of Choice: A Fluorescent Penetrant Taking into Account Sustainability Criteria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-21, July.
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    12. Julian Grenz & Moritz Ostermann & Karoline Käsewieter & Felipe Cerdas & Thorsten Marten & Christoph Herrmann & Thomas Tröster, 2023. "Integrating Prospective LCA in the Development of Automotive Components," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-26, June.
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    1. Dominika Siwiec & Andrzej Pacana, 2025. "Improvement of Renewable Energy Products by Balancing Quality, Environmental, Societal, and Cost Aspects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-26, September.

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