Ecodesign practices in automotive industry

Purpose This paper analyzes the implementation of the Life Cycle Assessment tools in the Brazilian small and medium-sized confectioning companies, associated with the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan). Methods Considering that SMEs account for more than 60% of the economy of Rio de Janeiro’s state, a multiple case study was carried out and the responses of a group of SMEs working in the state were analyzed in relation to their experience and knowledge on the subject. Results and discussion Most of the investigated companies act on the environment only with palliative actions that do not eliminate the cause or avoid environmental problems, only minimally comply with the legislation. Conclusions this research concludes that there is a great need to disseminate the concepts of environmental management and its tools, as well as the LCA theme among the industries, especially the SMEs, so that they have enough information to evaluate how they can insert the ...

The research presented in this article highlights some of the key factors influencing the adoption and implementation of ecodesign practices at manufacturing companies. The discussion focuses in particular on a case study illustrating how ecodesign is being incorporated into the design of products manufactured by a midsized automotive electronics supplier in Brazil.

The growing recognition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been integrated globally into product design and business activities. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is considered a useful tool for designers to apply in the early stages of product design to mitigate the environmental impact. The study aims to identify the challenges of applying simplified LCA tools to improve the eco-efficiency of products and achieve a higher level of sustainable innovation. The study was conducted in a sustainable design course at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, for four consecutive years. All challenges and opportunities by using ECO-it, Eco-indicators, and the Materials, Energy use, and Toxic emissions (MET) matrix to assess the environmental impact in each phase of 11 home appliances are presented and discussed. Results show the positive potential of applying the tools to achieve function innovation in design for sustainable innovation. The needs for guided instruction, the availability of the database, the complexity of a study product, and the overlooking of social dimensions are four major challenges in applying the tools in the early stages of product redesign. Further study in testing the tools and developing a database in collaboration with industries should be conducted to compare and validate the results

Traditionally, the focus of engineering design has primarily been on achieving a superior product from functional and economic perspectives. However, the product design and development philosophy now are shifting from functional and economic views to the sustainable perspective. Sustainable product design can be achieved by integrating environmental, social and economic aspect into the engineering design throughout it product lifecycle. The shift from using traditional design technologies to sustainable growth requires a new paradigm in design methodologies. This paper summarizes the current methods and tools for integrating sustainability perspective into the product design process. In addition, it also provides some guidelines in developing an indicator for sustainable design. The guidelines are based on literatures and international standard ISO14040. In addition, this paper discusses on some challenges for achieving sustainable product design and provides suggestions for further research.

This paper focuses on ecodesign and its application in the footwear industry aiming to identify how the ecodesign can be applied to the redesign of a shoe component in order to minimize the environmental impact and simultaneously reduce costs of production and assembling. The factors that influence the use of ecodesign, the benefits and the difficulties were also investigated. A longitudinal case study was developed in a company that produces shoe stiffeners. The process of ecodesign implementation and the practices of ecodesign considered during the product redesign were analyzed. A cost reduction of about 10% was observed (in relation to the use of natural fibers and polymers in its compositione31% of biomass and 69% of fossil material). Toxic materials were completely eliminated and a reduction of energy consumption was also noticed (during the injection process). The main contributions of this study are: ecodesign constructs to be further researched the conjoint analysis of technological ability and market potential in a redesign project, and the requirements to gain managerial support for a redesign project.

Public, customers and legal pressures have grown related with environmental impact from manufacturing activities. As a consequence of this movement, actions that can reduce environmental impact of such activities have been more discussed in strategic forums concerning manufacture. Key factors contributing to such environmental impact include the resource-intensive style of some activities and the ever-shorter life cycle of products and processes (KAZAZIAN, 2005; MAXWELL et al., 2006). Environmental commentators ...

Many larger companies now view ecodesign as a way to promote competitiveness and enhance their organizations' image with the public. By contrast, most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have not yet recognized the benefits and possibilities that ecodesign has to offer (Vercalsteren, 2001). As a result, SMEs typically do not integrate ecodesign into their product development process (Le Pochat, Bertoluci, & Froelich, 2007).

This paper presents a triple case study in which the assessment of ecodesign concepts application was performed based on a multicriteria decision support method, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The assessment took place in three furniture companies, which have established design procedures and methodologies. A research methodology was developed considering that the application in other industries is available. A theoretical framework about ecodesign concepts and practices were made. Then, a focus group with a multidisciplinary team of experts in eco-conception and furniture manufacturing established constructs able to represent the top term ecodesign. The constructs were: materials, components, products and process characteristics, use of energy, products distribution and stocks, packaging and scraps. Each construct was deployed in items. Using the AHP with a multidisciplinary team from each company, the ecodesign constructs were weighed and the relative importance for each company was defined. At the end, a questionnaire was answered by the team from each company in order to check the performance of each item. By comparing the assessed performance with the relative importance of each ecodesign constructs, it was possible to prioritize strategies for environmental improvement related from eco-conception.

Eco-design practices are still incipient in Brazilian furniture industries, although some improvement can be identified in recent years. This paper describes the performance of an industrial furniture cluster located in Southern Brazil regarding such practices. An embedded case study involving four companies-two manufacturers and two suppliers-was carried out using in-depth interviews. It enabled to depict particularities of how these companies deal with sustainable aspects of design in their respective business. Critical issues identified as obstacles for eco-design implementation in these industries were: control of both, productive process and product durability; product distribution; rational use of space for transportation and storage. Minor difficulties were identified regarding the lack of renewable energy sources and the scarcity of knowledge dissemination. Such hurdles could provide opportunities and support future eco-design strategy implementation, improving the competitiveness and contributing for the eco-efficiency of the Brazilian furniture industry.

This paper presents a triple case study in which the assessment of ecodesign concepts application was performed based on a multicriteria decision support method, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The assessment took place in three furniture companies, which have established design procedures and methodologies. A research methodology was developed considering that the application in other industries is available. A theoretical framework about ecodesign concepts and practices were made. Then, a focus group with a multidisciplinary team of experts in eco-conception and furniture manufacturing established constructs able to represent the top term ecodesign. The constructs were: materials, components, products and process characteristics, use of energy, products distribution and stocks, packaging and scraps. Each construct was deployed in items. Using the AHP with a multidisciplinary team from each company, the ecodesign constructs were weighed and the relative importance for each company was defined. At the end, a questionnaire was answered by the team from each company in order to check the performance of each item. By comparing the assessed performance with the relative importance of each ecodesign constructs, it was possible to prioritize strategies for environmental improvement related from eco-conception.

This paper presents a triple case study in which the assessment of ecodesign concepts application was performed based on a multicriteria decision support method, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The assessment took place in three furniture companies, which have established design procedures and methodologies. A research methodology was developed considering that the application in other industries is available. A theoretical framework about ecodesign concepts and practices were made. Then, a focus group with a multidisciplinary team of experts in eco-conception and furniture manufacturing established constructs able to represent the top term ecodesign. The constructs were: materials, components, products and process characteristics, use of energy, products distribution and stocks, packaging and scraps. Each construct was deployed in items. Using the AHP with a multidisciplinary team from each company, the ecodesign constructs were weighed and the relative importance for each company was defined. At the end, a questionnaire was answered by the team from each company in order to check the performance of each item. By comparing the assessed performance with the relative importance of each ecodesign constructs, it was possible to prioritize strategies for environmental improvement related from eco-conception.

This paper presents a triple case study in which the assessment of ecodesign concepts application was performed based on a multicriteria decision support method, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The assessment took place in three furniture companies, which have established design procedures and methodologies. A research methodology was developed considering that the application in other industries is available. A theoretical framework about ecodesign concepts and practices were made. Then, a focus group with a multidisciplinary team of experts in eco-conception and furniture manufacturing established constructs able to represent the top term ecodesign. The constructs were: materials, components, products and process characteristics, use of energy, products distribution and stocks, packaging and scraps. Each construct was deployed in items. Using the AHP with a multidisciplinary team from each company, the ecodesign constructs were weighed and the relative importance for each company was defined. At the end, a questionnaire was answered by the team from each company in order to check the performance of each item. By comparing the assessed performance with the relative importance of each ecodesign constructs, it was possible to prioritize strategies for environmental improvement related from eco-conception.

Public, customers and legal pressures have grown related with environmental impact from manufacturing activities. As a consequence of this movement, actions that can reduce environmental impact of such activities have been more discussed in strategic forums concerning manufacture. Key factors contributing to such environmental impact include the resource-intensive style of some activities and the ever-shorter life cycle of products and processes (KAZAZIAN, 2005; MAXWELL et al., 2006). Environmental commentators ...

Extensive research on ecodesign, mainly in the areas of strategy, methodology, and tools, has been carried out by research organizations and industrial companies in recent years with significant advancements achieved. However, the practical application of these tools and methods as well as their implementation, within the day-to-day decision making processes in product development, are still limited. In order to improve this situation, and to proliferate the practice of ecodesign in industry, 24 case studies of the European electr(on)ics industry have been analyzed and structured in order to provide practical 'real-world' examples and experiences. This work, which is a collaboration of several research institutes and 14 companies from the European electrical and electronics industry was carried out within the EU Thematic Network Ecolife from 1998 to 2001. The result, which has been published as a comprehensive internet guide, allows ecodesign non-specialists (e.g. product designers) to learn about this field and to stimulate their understanding and creativity. The Ecolife network highlighted a large number of diverse ecodesign case studies, from which the general conclusions on implementation in practice and obstacles can be drawn .

This paper presents a triple case study in which the assessment of ecodesign concepts application was performed based on a multicriteria decision support method, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The assessment took place in three furniture companies, which have established design procedures and methodologies. A research methodology was developed considering that the application in other industries is available. A theoretical framework about ecodesign concepts and practices were made. Then, a focus group with a multidisciplinary team of experts in eco-conception and furniture manufacturing established constructs able to represent the top term ecodesign. The constructs were: materials, components, products and process characteristics, use of energy, products distribution and stocks, packaging and scraps. Each construct was deployed in items. Using the AHP with a multidisciplinary team from each company, the ecodesign constructs were weighed and the relative importance for each company was defined. At the end, a questionnaire was answered by the team from each company in order to check the performance of each item. By comparing the assessed performance with the relative importance of each ecodesign constructs, it was possible to prioritize strategies for environmental improvement related from eco-conception.

This paper presents a triple case study in which the assessment of ecodesign concepts application was performed based on a multicriteria decision support method, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The assessment took place in three furniture companies, which have established design procedures and methodologies. A research methodology was developed considering that the application in other industries is available. A theoretical framework about ecodesign concepts and practices were made.

This paper focuses on ecodesign and its application in the footwear industry aiming to identify how the ecodesign can be applied to the redesign of a shoe component in order to minimize the environmental impact and simultaneously reduce costs of production and assembling. The factors that influence the use of ecodesign, the benefits and the difficulties were also investigated. A longitudinal case study was developed in a company that produces shoe stiffeners. The process of ecodesign implementation and the
practices of ecodesign considered during the product redesign were analyzed. A cost reduction of about 10% was observed (in relation to the use of natural fibers and polymers in its compositione 31% of biomass and 69% of fossil material). Toxic materials were completely eliminated and a reduction of energy consumption was also noticed (during the injection process). The main contributions of this study are: ecodesign constructs to be further researched the conjoint analysis of technological ability and
market potential in a redesign project, and the requirements to gain managerial support for a redesign project.

Ecodesign seeks environmentally friendly solutions in product design and development. It considers both economic and environmental aspects associated with the entire life cycle of products. The research presented in this article highlights some of the key factors influencing the adoption and implementation of ecodesign practices at manufacturing companies. The discussion focuses in particular on a case study illustrating how ecodesign is being incorporated into the design of products manufactured by a midsized
automotive electronics supplier in Brazil.