Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM
Assessing ecological impact throughout the entire lifecycle is the most comprehensive means of evaluating a product’s environmental footprint. However, implementing lifecycle assessment is particularly difficult for small and medium enterprises. Hurdles include the amount of data involved, high costs and a lack of know-how.
Consequently, despite significant scientific progress in methodology, lifecycle assessment is a rarity among SMEs. Individual approaches that do without expert knowledge of environmental questions are the way forward. To promote lifecycle assessment in the various industries dominated by European SMEs on an ongoing basis, the methodological approaches have to be simple and intuitive. Moreover, the questions confronting the businesses have to be resolved rapidly, so as not to delay the implementation process.
“LCA to go” develops and simplifies methods, tools and background databases for the high-tech sectors bioplastics, industrial machinery, electronics (inc. PCBs, semiconductors and passive components), renewable energies (especially solar systems), sensors and intelligent textiles.
These areas were selected for their relevance and because the manufacturers in these industries have particular incentive to demonstrate the environmental friendliness of their products (“green industries”) to consumers.
“LCA to go” uses the carbon footprint as a tangible and accessible introduction to lifecycle assessment for enterprises. Apart from technical aspects, the project also aims to overcome language barriers between lifecycle assessment experts and product developers.
Businesses interested in the potential of this tool or in participating in the project as case study are invited to get in touch with us. We specialize in cooperations with business and industry, which ensures we are well-placed to understand your company’s priorities and requirements.