The paper presents an innovative methodology for evaluating the environmental impact of new bio-based materials before they are produced and commercialized, aiming to guide design decisions towards more sustainable solutions.

This methodology is currently being developed within the AMBIANCE project (Advanced Manufacturing of Biobased Products for Urban Outdoor Applications through Innovative Characterization, Digital Technologies and Circular Approach), which promotes the improvement of environmental quality in urban spaces by encouraging sustainable systems and the design of recyclable products.

Funded by Horizon Europe and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SEFRI), AMBIANCE brings together a consortium of 10 European partners, including SUPSI. The project focuses on three key production sectors: sports facilities, outdoor furniture, and construction bricks and decorative panels.

The awarded paper illustrates the SPS team's methodology, which combines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and digital technologies for the valorization of industrial waste. The result is a practical tool to support eco-design, contributing to the transition toward a circular, low-emission economy.

This international recognition highlights the scientific excellence and relevance of the SPS team’s work in addressing today’s environmental challenges, reinforcing the European impact of SUPSI’s applied research in sustainable innovation.

The ICE/IEEE ITMC Conference is a leading event in the field of sustainable engineering and innovation, organized by the IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society (IEEE TEMS). The 2025 edition focused on the theme “The Age of Connection: The Future of Technology, Engineering, and Innovation in a Digital Society.”