Designing best in class products, the choice of the right materials is one of the key success factors. However, the selection of a certain material impacts various aspects of the product life cycle. These are of course the specific mechanical, chemical, and thermal material properties which define the behaviour of a product significantly. But also the most suitable way of production is highly affected by the material choice. The same is applicable to all questions arising at the end of the product lifecycle, such as recyclability. Since the consequences arising from choosing a certain material are that far-reaching, making sustainable decisions from the start is crucial when it comes effective product development.