Florent Blondin, former student of the MS Eco-Design and Environmental Management program, class of 2010
An engineer fromINSA Lyon with a degree in mechanical engineering and product design, Florent has developed a keen interest in integrating environmental parameters into product design.
From engineering school to startup creation : Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a guiding principle
Florent carried out his first LCAs as part of his final year engineering project and also worked on incorporating environmental parameters into the development of electromagnetic bearings. He then decided to specialize in this field and the following year enrolled in the Specialized Master's program at Chambéry Institute.
His research project focused on developing a specific methodology for taking water into account in LCA, and he also conducted a case study on artificial snowmaking in mountain resorts. He joined Veolia Environnement for his professional assignment, where he contributes to strategic decisions regarding the environmental impact of low-carbon energy production.
" Proficiency in computer modeling tools, interdisciplinary work, creativity, open-mindedness... these are skills acquired during the MS program ," he says with delight.
Since then, Florent has been consulting in eco-design and, in 2014, founded a start-up to promote LCA using new technologies: Environmental Picture.
Recent developments in MS supported by Florent
" The Specialized Master's program gave me an overview of how eco-design is integrated into companies, and I learned how to perform LCAs. "
Its evolution towards MS in Change Management and Sustainable Innovation reflects an even more comprehensive approach, which involves integrating changes into concepts closely linked to business models such as the circular economy, promoting product environmental performance, environmental labeling, etc.
Passion as a prerequisite
Florent is driven by the idea of innovating towards more sustainable products and constantly proposes tools to assess their environmental impact and performance.
It has just launched an energy/price comparison tool to help you easily find the low-energy appliances that suit you... at the best price. It's called La Belle Énergie and is supported by the Ministry of Ecology! Its goal is to help you find more eco-friendly clothes, electronics, furniture, and more online at the best prices.
Enthusiastically, he concludes, " like any new profession, a successful career in eco-design requires only one prerequisite: passion! ."
