Master’s in Sustainable CMF and Bio-Materials
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in sustainable CMF and bio-materials: biopolymers, recycled materials, VOC/odour and ageing. 12 modules covering responsible colour, material and finish, biopolymers, natural fibre composites, alternative leathers and textiles, recycled materials, low-impact finishes, life cycle assessment, chemical regulations, materials testing, CMF strategy and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Sustainable CMF and Bio-Materials — studying from Australia
Materials science and advanced manufacturing support Australian industries including mining, aerospace, defence, food processing and infrastructure. Research organisations such as CSIRO and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation contribute to materials characterisation and development. Quality management and conformity with standards are essential, particularly in regulated sectors. Engineers work on material selection, process improvement, additive manufacturing and quality assurance. Employers include manufacturers, mining equipment suppliers, research bodies and certification organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$9,410 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Is this qualification recognised by Engineers Australia or quality bodies such as Quality Australia?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by Engineers Australia or any national body. Quality-related certifications in Australia, such as those from independent certification bodies, are separate credentials that you must pursue on their own terms. Recognition of SEIUM's programmes is determined by employers or the relevant body, so verify this with them directly.
Which Australian manufacturing and quality employers might value this training?
Manufacturers in sectors such as mining equipment, automotive, aerospace supply chains and building materials employ materials and quality engineers. Whether they value a private qualification depends on each company's hiring criteria. Relevant experience and the practical final project can help demonstrate your capability to them.
Can I study online from Australia while working, and is payment flexible?
Yes, the programme is fully online and taught in English, so no student visa is required to study from home in Australia. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Consider the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours, and plan your study time around your work commitments.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Integrate sustainability criteria into colour, material and finish decisions.
Know the properties and processing of biopolymers and natural fibres.
Select recycled materials and textile alternatives according to their use.
Apply low-impact finishes and control colour with instrumentation.
Assess the environmental impact of materials through life cycle assessment.
Comply with chemical regulations and the applicable validation tests.
Communicate the sustainability of materials without falling into greenwashing.
Who it's for
- CMF designers in automotive, consumer electronics or furniture.
- Sustainable materials specialists.
- Interior materials engineers.
- Ecodesign consultants.
- Life cycle analysts.
- Materials innovation managers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 14040 (life cycle assessment: principles and framework)
- ISO 14044 (life cycle assessment: requirements and guidelines)
- Regulation (EC) 1907/2006, REACH (registration and restriction of chemicals)
- Directive 2011/65/EU, RoHS (hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment)
- EN 16785-1 (bio-based content determination)
- ISO 14021 (self-declared environmental claims)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, ESPR (ecodesign for sustainable products)
- ISO 12947-2 (Martindale abrasion resistance of textiles)
- SimaPro
- Ansys Granta Selector
- X-Rite Color iQC
- Adobe Substance 3D Designer
12 modules
1.1The CMF discipline in product design1.2Material life cycle1.3Carbon footprint of materials1.4Circular economy applied to CMF1.5Colour trend forecasting1.6Sensory perception of materials1.7Perceived quality and sustainability1.8Greenwashing and responsible communication1.9Benchmarking sustainable products1.10Case study: CMF audit of an interior
2.1PLA, PHA and PBS2.2Bio-PE and polyamides from renewable sources2.3Biodegradable versus compostable2.4Mechanical and thermal properties2.5Injection moulding and extrusion processing2.6Additives and compatibilisers2.7Ageing and stability2.8Certification of bio-based content2.9Suppliers and availability2.10Lab: injection moulding of PLA test specimens
3.1Flax, hemp, kenaf and jute3.2Natural fibre composites3.3Bio-based epoxy resins3.4Preforms and nonwovens3.5Interior panels with natural fibres3.6Moisture absorption and durability3.7Mechanical testing of composites3.8Visible surface finish3.9Comparison with glass fibre3.10Practical: lamination of a flax panel
4.1Vegetable tanning and chrome-free tanning4.2Mycelium-based materials4.3Pineapple, cactus and apple-based materials4.4Recycled PET polyester4.5Wool, Tencel and cellulosic fibres4.6Water-based polyurethane coatings4.7Martindale abrasion resistance4.8Colour fastness to light4.9Traceability of the textile chain4.10Case study: upholstery selection
5.1Mechanically recycled plastics5.2Chemical recycling of polymers5.3Ocean-bound plastics and recovered fishing nets5.4Secondary aluminium in visible finishes5.5Recycled glass in surfaces5.6GRS recycled content certification5.7Batch-to-batch variability5.8Recycling-compatible colour palettes5.9The aesthetics of imperfection5.10Workshop: recycled plastics sample board
6.1Natural and bio-based pigments6.2Water-based and low-VOC paints6.3Powder coatings6.4Mould-in colour without paint6.5Mould texturing6.6Alternatives to hexavalent chrome plating6.7Laser engraving and texturing6.8Solvent-free soft-touch finishes6.9Colour measurement with a spectrophotometer6.10Practical: colour measurement and Delta E
7.1Life cycle assessment to ISO 14040/447.2Inventory and ecoinvent databases7.3Impact categories7.4Product carbon footprint to ISO 140677.5Environmental product declarations (EPD)7.6SimaPro and GaBi tools7.7Comparison of alternatives7.8End-of-life scenarios7.9Uncertainty and sensitivity7.10Case study: comparative LCA of two finishes
8.1REACH and SVHC substances8.2RoHS in electronic components8.3VOC emissions and fogging in interiors8.4Flammability of interior materials8.5Skin contact and allergens8.6Odour and emissions in the cabin8.7End-of-life vehicles directive8.8PFAS restrictions8.9ESPR ecodesign regulation8.10Workshop: chemical compliance matrix
9.1Accelerated UV and xenon ageing9.2Scratch and abrasion resistance9.3Chemical resistance to cosmetics9.4Temperature and humidity climate cycles9.5Dimensional stability of parts9.6Coating adhesion9.7Sensory evaluation with panels9.8Fogging and odour9.9Validation on the final product9.10Lab: scratch and gloss test
10.1CMF briefs by segment10.2Colour and material palettes10.3Material stories for marketing10.4Cost and industrial feasibility10.5Material supplier management10.6Material libraries10.7Open innovation with start-ups10.8Industrial scale-up of new materials10.9Sustainable materials roadmap10.10Case study: CMF strategy for an electric vehicle
11.1Type I ecolabels11.2Cradle to Cradle certification11.3Digital product passport11.4CSRD sustainability reporting11.5Green Claims Directive11.6Material storytelling11.7Supply chain transparency11.8Supplier audits11.9Communication to the end user11.10Workshop: material data sheet with verifiable claims
12.1Product choice and scope12.2Initial CMF diagnosis12.3Research into candidate materials12.4Finish samples and prototypes12.5Validation tests12.6Comparative life cycle assessment12.7Final CMF proposal12.8Responsible communication plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SimaPro, Ansys Granta Selector, X-Rite Color iQC and Adobe Substance 3D Designer, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real procedures: accelerated ageing and colour measurement of samples, comparative life cycle assessment of finishes and sensory evaluation of materials with user panels. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 14040, ISO 14044, Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH), Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS), EN 16785-1, ISO 14021, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR), ISO 12947-2.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with SimaPro, Ansys Granta Selector, X-Rite Color iQC and Adobe Substance 3D Designer, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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