Keyword: R&D (21)

By This is an example from AkzoNobel on how eco-efficiency assessment can be used to develop a more sustainable production processes.   It is valuable to assess a new product or solution, with regard to sustainability already in the R&D phase. The R&D departments in AkzoNobel have qualitative guidelines as criteria on sustainability performance in the eco-premium solutions […]

By Eco-premium solutions (EPS) is a quick scan method to qualitatively assess the performance of an AkzoNobel product  compared to the performance of the competing mainstream products in a life cycle perspective, in terms of six HSE aspects (Health, Safety and Environment). The objective is to develop more sustainable products and to be able to […]

By Described here is an example from AkzoNobel of how environmental issues can become incorporated in the product development process. To be able to evaluate the impact on global warming, water usage and waste generation already in the R&D phase of a product, a tool for calculation of carbon, water and waste footprints has been developed for […]

By When comparing new products with competing products on the market, environmental as well as economical aspects are necessary in order to evaluate the market acceptance of the new products and the possibility to gain market shares. Also, in order to know where to put efforts and resources to acheive the most environmental gain, it is […]

By 1.       ISO/DIS 14045 The ISO/DIS 14045 declares: “Eco-efficiency is a quantitative management tool that enables the consideration of life cycle environmental impacts of a product system alongside its product system value to a stakeholder”. The draft standard defines eco-efficiency as “an aspect of sustainability relating the environmental performance of a product system to its […]

By In the product development, much of the sustainability performance of the product is determined and set through selection of materials and suppliers, design of functionality and intended use, as well as for end-of-life. The development is made based on consumer and customer insights and expectations. Thus, to actively improve the sustainability performance of products, sustainability […]

By In this Getting Started Guide we will introduce the concept of Eco-efficiency and the methodology of Eco-efficiency assessment and guide you to different uses of it. What is Eco-efficiency? Eco-efficiency is a management philosophy which encourages business to search for environmental improvements that yield parallel economic benefits. The objective is to become more efficient […]

By At AkzoNobel a corporate group, AN Sustainability, are specialists at performing  environmental assessments with a life cycle thinking. The LCA methodology is used to perform a variety of different anlyses in order to support the strategic sustainability work of AkzoNobel. This is though not how it all started. The development of this group, AN Sustainability, are described below. […]

Here are some links to further reading about Eco-efficiency and assessment World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).   European Environment Agency (EEA)

Many sustainability concerns, such as energy and resource efficiency as well as waste minimization, are also economic issues. Environmental considerations early in the product development process could offer more competitive and sustainable products to the market and avoid having to correct potential environmental problems after the product has been launched. Sustainability requirements and aspects should […]