Circular Design Clinic 2025: A Workshop to Rethink Products, Services & Systems
Frankfurt, November 2025 — Indeed Innovation & German Design Council
The Business Reality of Resource Constraints
Most companies approach circularity as a compliance exercise. The real opportunity lies in redesigning business models that capture value from what was previously considered waste. We’re teaching teams to see regulatory pressure as a catalyst for competitive differentiation.
Karel J. Golta, Founder & CEO, Indeed Innovation
European manufacturers face converging pressures: the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation demands unprecedented transparency in product lifecycles, while material costs and supply chain volatility make linear consumption models increasingly expensive. Companies that master circular design principles now will operate with structural advantages as these trends accelerate.
Following the success of our 2024 program, where participants from Tesa, Trilux, Tchibo, and Rosenthal developed implementable circular strategies, we’re returning with a more rigorous, results-oriented approach.
Workshop Date: November 11, 2025
Location: VEPA Showroom, Westhafen Tower, Frankfurt am Main
Networking: November 10 evening session featuring emerging talent in sustainable design
Format and Methodology
This intensive workshop operates as a strategic design sprint rather than a conference. Participants work in small, expert-facilitated groups to deconstruct and rebuild their products or services using circular principles. Each team tackles a real business challenge, with the goal of leaving with actionable implementation frameworks.
The process moves through three phases: systems analysis, intervention design, and business case development. Participants bring actual products or services, ensuring relevance and immediate applicability.
Circular design requires a different kind of strategic thinking, one that sees products as components of larger systems. We’re helping teams develop the analytical frameworks to turn sustainability mandates into sources of innovation and profit.
Karel J. Golta, Founder & CEO, Indeed Innovation
Enhanced 2025 Program
Based on participant feedback and regulatory developments, this year’s program includes:
Strategic integration: Clear pathways from circular analysis to organizational implementation, addressing the gap between sustainability insights and business execution.
Digital circularity: Expanded focus on service-based and platform-enabled circular models, reflecting the growing importance of digital touchpoints in sustainable business design.
Regulatory navigation: Practical guidance on EU Digital Product Passport requirements and EU Regulation, turning regulatory obligations into competitive advantages.
Target Participants
This workshop serves professionals responsible for translating sustainability mandates into business results:
- Product and service designers managing lifecycle considerations
- Innovation managers tasked with sustainable business model development
- Sustainability leaders requiring actionable implementation strategies
- Business development professionals exploring circular revenue models
- Materials and packaging specialists navigating regulatory requirements
Investment and Registration
Early Registration (until October 3, 2025):
| Standard Rate | €390 |
| German Design Council Members | €290 |
| Evening Networking (optional) | €69 |
| 2024 Participants | 50% reduction |
Capacity: Limited to 30 participants to ensure intensive, personalized attention.
Expected Outcomes
Participants will develop specific implementation roadmaps for their organizations, including stakeholder engagement strategies, financial justification frameworks, and regulatory compliance pathways. The workshop provides both strategic perspective and practical tools for embedding circular principles into core business operations.
November 11, 2025 | VEPA Showroom, Frankfurt am Main
Larissa Scherrer
Marketing Strategy
Brand Positioning
Social Media Strategy
