FRONTSH1P: Framework for the Ecodesign activities and Case Study CSS 1 (Wood Packaging)
Updated on 05.08.2025
This document presents the methodology used to implement Ecodesign in FRONTSH1P, relying on the analysis of value chain and life cycle consideration. The analysis of the value chains involved in the Circular Systemic Solutions and the identification of value losses and opportunities is expected to lead to the identification of new solutions with a high impact in the region, promoting the collaboration and symbiosis and other stakeholders in the region.
The presented examples and case studies of product design and business models can be used as inspiration for the development of the systemic solutions and for identifying new opportunities for improvement. This report provides examples of circular solutions for wood packaging materials, including pallets and crates (CSS1).
Two additional reports offer examples related to the food and feed industry, focusing on the transformation of food, agricultural, and municipal biowaste into circular bioproducts (CSS2), and to water and nutrient management (CSS3).
Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions
The report targets value chains in sectors such as food and feed, water and nutrients, wood packaging, and plastic and rubber waste, particularly focusing on agro-industrial and municipal bio-waste streams.
For cities and regions, the Ecodesign methodology offers a practical framework to identify ecological, economic, and social value losses in local value chains, and transform them into opportunities through circular design strategies.
Case examples of wood packaging from food, agricultural and municipal biowaste to circular bioproducts offer replicable models for efficient resource use, local job creation, and environmental regeneration.
How to use this tool or method
To navigate the FRONTSH1P Ecodesign Methodology, the user proceeds through five structured steps:
(1) identify actors in the value chain,
(2) identify interactions between them,
(3) identify environmental, economic, and social value losses,
(4) identify Ecodesign opportunities based on these losses, and
(5) develop guidelines for improving products, services, processes, and business models.
This process is supported by specific tools like templates on the Mural collaborative platform, checklists for value identification, Ecodesign indicators, and a catalogue of circular design strategies. Chapter 10 of the document presents case studies for wood packaging that serve as practical examples demonstrating how the methodology can be applied in real-world scenarios.
CO2 neutrality/decarbonisation
<5 000
large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000
large metropolitan area >1.5 million, metropolitan area 1.5 million-500 000
predominantly urban regions, intermediate and predominantly rural regions, refer to TERCET typology NUTS 3 region
e.g. commercial, residential, service, industrial
