101
operated over one integrated platform to gain maximum from synergy and
consistency and to reduce risks from data gaps and inappropriate data.
An example of successful scaling is with an American multinational confectionery, food and beverage enterprise that had a challenge to understand the environmental impacts for products and packaging. The aim was to improve process
effi ciently and examine new promising technology. The solution was to conduct
LCAs for core food products and to establish a professional LCA in-house team.
Alongside these activities an extensive database of in-house process data as well as
external upstream and background data was partly set up and partly bought on
demand. The measures incorporated sustainability into many of its existing and new
products. The business value was the company is able to select the best alternative
with regards to economic and environmental aspects before fi nalizing a new product
design. This includes the quantifi cation of incorporated costs in analysis to realize
savings.
Another example again with an American multinational, this time an information
technology corporation. The challenge here was increased customer demand for
environmentally preferable and professionally registered products. Further, and
inevitably, the need for LCA-backed information to guide product development
teams. A further challenge was the complex supply chains. The solution was a LCA
platform with pre-confi gured LCA templates to allow to scale and run over 70 LCAs
on their portfolio using an LCA solution. The business value was that the LCA
platform realized savings of over USD$1 million and hundreds of hours of time.
A further business value is the increased effi ciency and the ease of registering
products within the assessment standard. This means in the end a faster market
access to maintain a competitive advantage.
Another example, this time a German automobile manufacturer needed its existing
and new products to comply with legislations such as the EU Directive 2005/64/EC
on the recyclability of motor vehicles. The company applied professional software
and extensive data sets to analyze vehicle components in terms of their recyclability.
Scenario calculations allowed the consideration and comparison of different material options, and to improve favourable options. For example, different front module
concepts were compared and material options like steel, aluminium- steel, plasticsteel assessed. The analysis revealed different strengths of the concepts concerning
primary energy demand, weight and recycling. Scenario calculation showed
improvement potentials which have been applied accordingly. The business value is
combined compliance and improvement.
Another German automobile manufacturer also achieved success with international production sites and brands. The challenge was to perform an LCA of every
new vehicle already in the design phase, to be able to grasp and execute on design
options and optimization potentials. The goal was to combine design for environment with marketing and communication. The solution was a software implementation and corresponding BOM import for effi cient LCA work. The benefi t is the
automobile manufacturer now optimizes cost and environmental impact of cars
already during product development.
8 From Projects to Processes to Implement Life Cycle Management in Business
operated over one integrated platform to gain maximum from synergy and
consistency and to reduce risks from data gaps and inappropriate data.
An example of successful scaling is with an American multinational confectionery, food and beverage enterprise that had a challenge to understand the environmental impacts for products and packaging. The aim was to improve process
effi ciently and examine new promising technology. The solution was to conduct
LCAs for core food products and to establish a professional LCA in-house team.
Alongside these activities an extensive database of in-house process data as well as
external upstream and background data was partly set up and partly bought on
demand. The measures incorporated sustainability into many of its existing and new
products. The business value was the company is able to select the best alternative
with regards to economic and environmental aspects before fi nalizing a new product
design. This includes the quantifi cation of incorporated costs in analysis to realize
savings.
Another example again with an American multinational, this time an information
technology corporation. The challenge here was increased customer demand for
environmentally preferable and professionally registered products. Further, and
inevitably, the need for LCA-backed information to guide product development
teams. A further challenge was the complex supply chains. The solution was a LCA
platform with pre-confi gured LCA templates to allow to scale and run over 70 LCAs
on their portfolio using an LCA solution. The business value was that the LCA
platform realized savings of over USD$1 million and hundreds of hours of time.
A further business value is the increased effi ciency and the ease of registering
products within the assessment standard. This means in the end a faster market
access to maintain a competitive advantage.
Another example, this time a German automobile manufacturer needed its existing
and new products to comply with legislations such as the EU Directive 2005/64/EC
on the recyclability of motor vehicles. The company applied professional software
and extensive data sets to analyze vehicle components in terms of their recyclability.
Scenario calculations allowed the consideration and comparison of different material options, and to improve favourable options. For example, different front module
concepts were compared and material options like steel, aluminium- steel, plasticsteel assessed. The analysis revealed different strengths of the concepts concerning
primary energy demand, weight and recycling. Scenario calculation showed
improvement potentials which have been applied accordingly. The business value is
combined compliance and improvement.
Another German automobile manufacturer also achieved success with international production sites and brands. The challenge was to perform an LCA of every
new vehicle already in the design phase, to be able to grasp and execute on design
options and optimization potentials. The goal was to combine design for environment with marketing and communication. The solution was a software implementation and corresponding BOM import for effi cient LCA work. The benefi t is the
automobile manufacturer now optimizes cost and environmental impact of cars
already during product development.
8 From Projects to Processes to Implement Life Cycle Management in Business