Strategic Focus: Evaluating PLM Applications For Sustainable Product Design

Access this research

Access all Sustainable Supply Chains content with a strategic subscription or buy this single report

Need help or have a question about this report? Contact us for assistance

Executive Summary

Product lifecycle management (PLM) applications enable manufacturers to design, produce and manage their product portfolios. The use of these applications to address sustainability objectives, however, remains underutilized – offering an opportunity for firms to pursue their sustainability goals alongside optimizing efficiencies and increasing asset value. As sustainability shifts from a nice-to-have to a strategic imperative, this report explores how firms can leverage their existing PLM applications to support their sustainability journey. 
Sustainability is now an essential element of product design
Firms can effectively leverage PLM applications for sustainability
Factors to consider when assessing PLM applications for sustainable product design
Figure 1. Evolving corporate product sustainability strategies and PLM use cases 
Figure 2. PLM functionality to support sustainable product design and circularity
Figure 3. Questions to ask when assessing PLM solutions for sustainability 

About the Authors

Callum Millard

Callum Millard

Analyst

Callum is an Analyst at Verdantix, helping firms navigate the evolving ESG, sustainability, product innovation and product stewardship landscapes, to drive value creation and ...

View Profile
Jessie Wilson

Jessie Wilson

Industry Analyst

Jessie is an Industry Analyst at Verdantix, with a research agenda spanning ESG reporting, the circular economy and supply chain sustainability. Jessie has a BSc in Geography ...

View Profile
Kim Knickle

Kim Knickle

Research Director

Kim Knickle is a Research Director at Verdantix, bringing more than two decades of analyst experience to the evolving world of sustainability. Her current research spans ESG a...

View Profile

Other related content

Webinar
Sustainable Supply Chains
Sustainability Assurance & Due Diligence
Sustainability & Climate Risks
ESG & Sustainability Reporting Software
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
Corporate Sustainability & Climate Change Services
The State of Sustainability: 2026 Globa...

The sustainability market is shifting fast – and not always in the direction anyone expected. Regulatory rollbacks and expansions, geopolitical realignment, and tightening budgets ...

Upcoming / 08 September, 2026

Webinar
Sustainable Supply Chains
Sustainability & Climate Risks
Corporate Sustainability & Climate Change Services
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
State of the Market: Sustainability Con...

The sustainability market is shifting fast — and not always in the direction anyone expected. Regulatory rollbacks and expansions, geopolitical realignment, and tightening budgets ...

Upcoming / 23 July, 2026

Webinar
Sustainable Supply Chains
Sustainability Assurance & Due Diligence
Sustainability & Climate Risks
ESG & Sustainability Reporting Software
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
Corporate Sustainability & Climate Change Services
Corporate Energy Transition Solutions
Climate Financial Data & Analytics
Corporate Energy Leaders
Carbon Management Software
Built Environment Energy & Decarbonization
Full Charge Ahead: Navigating The EV Ch...

EV charging management software is moving quickly from a niche operational tool to a critical enterprise system, and the urgency for buyers is only increasing as the market matures...

18 June, 2026

Blog
Carbon Management Software
Sustainable Supply Chains
Carbonfact Acquires Vaayu: Fixing The S...

On May 28, 2026, Carbonfact announced the acquisition of Vaayu, consolidating two software providers built around LCA and product carbon footprinting for fashion and apparel brands...

15 June, 2026

Webinar
Corporate Energy Transition Solutions
Corporate Energy Leaders
Built Environment Energy & Decarbonization
Sustainable Supply Chains
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
Manufacturing Operations Management
Industrial Transformation Leaders
How Industrial Firms Are Navigating Ene...

Energy volatility is no longer a future risk. It is a present-day operational challenge. Industrial firms are under growing pressure from fluctuating prices, shifting dependencies ...

27 May, 2026

Webinar
Sustainable Supply Chains
Where AI Meets Sustainability: Prioriti...

Sustainability and supply chain executives face a common frustration: AI vendors promise sweeping benefits, yet few can explain which specific use cases will benefit sustainability...

26 May, 2026