“The sustainable alternative for Macron used technical sportswear”: a visit to design change
3 July 2025A sustainable end-of-life for used technical sportswear: with this goal in mind, students of the Master in Business Management track, Green Management and Sustainable Businesses at Bologna Business School visited the headquarters of Macron, a leading company in the field of technical sportswear, to launch a concrete, sustainability-oriented design challenge.
The day opened with a guided tour of the headquarters and production departments, culminating in the “Room of Dreams”, a symbolic space dedicated to innovation and future vision. This was followed by a Q&A session that allowed students to explore the company’s values and processes directly with the Macron team, fostering a direct dialogue between business and future leadership. The morning concluded with the official presentation of the project “The sustainable alternative for Macron used technical sportswear”.
At the heart of the project lies the Smart Eco Box: a sustainable container designed for the collection and recycling of used technical sportswear at Macron Sport Hubs. Students were asked to design a functional and recognizable solution, capable of expressing the brand’s values while remaining feasible in terms of cost and sustainability. A strategic design exercise that combines creativity, attention to product life cycle, and systemic thinking.
The company visit is part of the course “Strategy and Performance of Sustainable Businesses”, led by Sara Zanni, which aims to develop circular solutions in real business contexts, stimulating active engagement with industry and promoting the development of interdisciplinary skills.
A tangible demonstration of the Bologna Business School model: hands-on experiences, constant interaction with industry champions, and the development of capabilities for responsible management capable of leading change.
