biopolymers. Even though various eco-design studies have been done for the
selection of biopolymers [4, 5], very few exist for bio-based plastics. The main
objective of this paper is to identify the eco-design strategies for the production of a
bio-based plastic material based on its material properties and the results of LCA.
To perform this study, an eco-design team was setup, composed of material and
process engineers, sustainability experts and marketing representatives. This team
analysed the cost, sustainability aspects, chemical and mechanical properties of the
different biopolymers and additives before the manufacture of a bio-based plastic
product. The cradle to gate LCA has been performed for the product, after the most
suitable polymers were chosen. The results of this LCA and its influence on the
proposed eco-design strategies will be discussed in this paper.
2 Description of the Eco-design Process Stages,
as Applied to the Case-Study
2.1 Motivation Factors
Benefits and motivation factors [6] for performing product or process eco-design
have been analysed as a very first stage, even before LCA and product properties
analysis, so that the eco-design team can analyse and identify the strategies within
the framework of the product development. The motivation factors not only arise
from the manufacturing company but also from external factors such as policies and
markets. Some of them are provided here as example:
• Increase the marketability of the bio-based plastic products through product
innovation, thereby increasing its demand and reducing costs of raw materials
• Improve the products mechanical and environmental performances by reducing
energy and material consumption, having circular economy as a global target,
• Clear communication to the customers and consumers with regards to the
products mechanical and environmental performances.
2.2 Methodology of Eco-design for Bio-based Plastics
As eco-design process requires to consider a vast array of inter-related aspects such
as product economic, technical, ergonomic, market and environmental properties, it
requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Based on literature review of eco-design
applied to bio-based products [7, 8], the different stages considered for the present
case study are shown in Fig. 1. It can be seen that the identification and implementation of eco-design strategies is an iterative approach supported by LCA
implementation.
488
V. Venkatachalam et al.
selection of biopolymers [4, 5], very few exist for bio-based plastics. The main
objective of this paper is to identify the eco-design strategies for the production of a
bio-based plastic material based on its material properties and the results of LCA.
To perform this study, an eco-design team was setup, composed of material and
process engineers, sustainability experts and marketing representatives. This team
analysed the cost, sustainability aspects, chemical and mechanical properties of the
different biopolymers and additives before the manufacture of a bio-based plastic
product. The cradle to gate LCA has been performed for the product, after the most
suitable polymers were chosen. The results of this LCA and its influence on the
proposed eco-design strategies will be discussed in this paper.
2 Description of the Eco-design Process Stages,
as Applied to the Case-Study
2.1 Motivation Factors
Benefits and motivation factors [6] for performing product or process eco-design
have been analysed as a very first stage, even before LCA and product properties
analysis, so that the eco-design team can analyse and identify the strategies within
the framework of the product development. The motivation factors not only arise
from the manufacturing company but also from external factors such as policies and
markets. Some of them are provided here as example:
• Increase the marketability of the bio-based plastic products through product
innovation, thereby increasing its demand and reducing costs of raw materials
• Improve the products mechanical and environmental performances by reducing
energy and material consumption, having circular economy as a global target,
• Clear communication to the customers and consumers with regards to the
products mechanical and environmental performances.
2.2 Methodology of Eco-design for Bio-based Plastics
As eco-design process requires to consider a vast array of inter-related aspects such
as product economic, technical, ergonomic, market and environmental properties, it
requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Based on literature review of eco-design
applied to bio-based products [7, 8], the different stages considered for the present
case study are shown in Fig. 1. It can be seen that the identification and implementation of eco-design strategies is an iterative approach supported by LCA
implementation.
488
V. Venkatachalam et al.