Eco-innovation by the method EcoMal'in

Today, we are witnessing an evolution in collective awareness of the need to take the environment into account in industrial product design. This reality of the industrial world is leading us to reconsider the development of classic design and innovation tools, in order to integrate environmental issues. The evolution of the design process in this context has led to a number of eco-design methods and tools. Innovation, a major factor in a company's development and growth, must also lead to eco-innovative concepts.

Comprehensive eco-innovation methods are few and far between. It is essential to develop a method that combines problem analysis in the sense of sustainable development, appropriate formalization and the selection of suitable resolution tools.

The use of eco-innovation tools will enable companies to appropriate the concept of sustainable development at the level of the emergence of their products. This integrated design approach makes it possible to influence production and consumption patterns, anticipate future user needs and ensure the sustainability of the company.

This work is part of the transformation of the Méthode d'Aide à l'INnovation (MAL'IN) into an eco-innovation tool: Eco-MAL'IN. The current MAL'IN approach enables a product design problem to be analyzed and structured, formalized and resolved. MAL'IN has been used to solve industrial problems, and is sold in the form of a study management software package. Adapted to the preliminary phases of design, the methodology is based on functional analysis, analysis of physical phenomena and definition of problem attack biases. Problem solving uses tools adapted from TRIZ theory and other tools developed by I2M's Mechanical Engineering and Design research department.

The fields of application fall within the scope of mechanical engineering in the broadest sense. The method covers products and processes, excluding electronic systems.

The Fast Eco-MAL'IN tool reduces analysis time and gives rapid access to a vision of the problem to be solved through brainstorming sessions. These sessions will be guided by selected innovation principles.