Case studies (Small and medium-sized enterprises, part 3)

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12.12.2005
Case studies (Small and medium-sized enterprises, part 3)

Case Studies (part 3)


back to cases 1-10
back to cases 11-20


Branch:

Mobile power supply


Company name:

Better Energy Systems Ltd. (UK)


    The UK based company Better Energy Systems (BES) is a good example for promoting ?green? in conjunction with an innovative product concept. BES claims to be a leading manufacturer of portable renewable energy products: ?We are committed to using the most effective means to develop and distribute environmentally conscious products to the global economy. [?] Through our work we aim to educate the consumer on the functionality and profitability of environmentally designed products.? In contradiction to the frequently heard argument ?the customer does not ask for green products? BES follows an assertive strategy to educate the consumer about environmental aspects of their first product, a solar charger for mobile devices. The design of this solar charger combines aesthetic appeal with being a "green" product and was awarded the Macworld Best of Show Award 2005. Energy and toxicity assessment of the product was undertaken during the design phase to check and optimize the environmental performance.
    The main messages from this business case are: Green products can be aesthetically designed products and tell your story to the world ? creating a unique brand image!

    Environmental benefits:
    • Carbon dioxide savings through solar power instead of electricity from the grid for mobile products

    Economic benefits:
    • Establishing a unique brand

Company Link: Better Energy Systems
Product Link: Solio
Please download the Case study from the right column.


Branch:

Motor starters / Electronics Manufacturing Service


Company name:

S2S Electronics Ltd. (UK)


    S2S Electronics, formerly Saftronics, is a sub contract electronics manufacturer and produces furthermore soft start units (motor starter units). S2S run an ecodesign project together with Envirowise, based on a life cycle design review of their soft start products. This review focussed on the aspects material, manufacture, end-of-life and identified several design options, e.g. redesign end caps from a mixture of steel and ABS to aluminium, replace spring clips with alternative form of fixing for front plates, reduction in use of trunking and cable clips, reduce size and weight of heat sink and Introduce the use of re-programmable processor chips.

    Environmental benefits:
    • reduced ressource consumption
    • increased recyclability

    Economic benefits:
    • expected business benefits comprise increased efficiency, reduced materials purchase, easier manufacture, increased market share, competitive advantage
    • estimated savings per unit £27.50

Case Study Link: Soft start project
Company Link: S2S / Softstartdirect.com
Recommended reading:S2S' RoHS compliance project and services


Branch:

Printed Circuit Boards


Company name:

Würth Elektronik (Rot a. S., Germany)


    The German manufacturer Würth Elektronik developed several innovative concepts for printed circuit boards, such as the TWINflex concept:
    Already several years ago Würth thought about an innovative PCB concept to meet future recycling requirements. Würth developed a PCB in MicroVia technology using foil technology with flexible material. Flexibility in form and function makes this TWINflex® concept suitable for high density flexible, flex-rigid and three dimensional circuits. The foil circuit board is mounted on a homogenous plastic or metal substrate. The TWINflex® concept separates mechanical and electrical functions of the PCB. The use of harmful substances during PCB manufacturing can be reduced drastically through changed production processes. At the end-of-life, easy separation of the base material and the circuits, containing e.g. a higher concentration of precious metals, is possible. Keeping in mind, that in the future the manufacturer has to bear the recycling costs, such a concept helps to minimize end-of-life treatment costs and to maximize the benefit from recovered materials.
    Further projects Würth is involved in are the development of high temperature thermoplastic (HTT) boards and the development of substrates for power supply units with advaced packaging concepts (Project MikroNetz).

    Environmental benefits:
    • Enhanced recyclability
    • Improved manufacturing processes (less hazardous substances)

    Economic benefits:
    • Lower WEEE costs
    • Providing technological solutions for certain niche markets

Company link: Würth Elektronik
Presentation at Fulda workshop: Technische und ökonomische Potentiale neuer Substratmaterialien


Branch:

Printing equipment and services


Company name:

Punch Graphix


    Main products of the Belgian company Punch Graphix (610 employees) are computer-to-plate (CTP) imaging equipment in offset prepress processes and digital colour printing.
    The mission of Punch Graphix comprises to develop and deliver environmental friendly digital printing and prepress solutions. Punch Graphix is mainly an R&D company, whereas mainly SMEs supply the components for the equipment. It has to be noted, that the product and component design - including for example PCB layout - is done by Punch Graphix, not by the suppliers. Consequently the suppliers have close to none influence on the design of the products they manufacture.

    Environmental benefits:
    • Environmentally benign printing processes compared to offset printing

    Economic benefits:
    • Reduced printing costs per page

Link: www.xeikon.com
Please download the Case study from the right column.



Branch:

Transformer stations


Company name:

Incoesa Trafodis, S.A. (Spain)


    The Basque manufacturer Incoesa Trafodis initiated an ecodesign project for their transformer products. Major targets have been to substitute the use of the global warming substance sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and to increase the recyclability of the components of a transformer station. International technical cooperation helped to implement an SF6 free technology, where a biodegradable dielectric is used. The different components of the transformer have been analysed with a focus on material recyclability. The project resulted in a new, innovative transformer concept, being also more compact than the former product generation.
    Based on an internal commitment and company specific guidelines Incoesa now applies regularly environmental criteria in the product development process.

    Environmental benefits:
    • Substitution of 30.000 kg sulphur hexafluoride per year
    • Increased transformation efficiency
    • Increased recyclability of components (96,25 % of the material is recyclabile)

    Economic benefits:
    • Efficiency gains result in saving of 18.220 ? over a transformer?s life time (35 years)
    • Better market position


Case study link:IHOBE, registration required



Branch:

Vending machine


Company name:

LAFON Produits Pétroliers, France


    In a joint project in 2004, supported by the French ADEISO and the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry, several SMEs redesigned their products based on environmental considerations. One of the companies, Lafon, chose a vending machine as a representative product of their product portfolio. This three months project resulted e.g. in an optimisation regarding design for disassembly including the development of a disassembly guide and reduction of part numbers.
    Environmental benefits:
    • Enhanced recyclability

    Economic benefits:
    • Lower number of components


Link: lafon
Link to the EcoDesign ARC presentation: EXEMPLE D?UNE ACTION D?ECO CONCEPTION



Branch:

Wind and solar electronics


Company name:

Wuseltronik GbR, Berlin, Germany


    Design for Environment for a grid connected inverter for photovoltaic power plants
    Based on a screening-LCA and the dismantling of the precursor model, a new grid connected inverter was developed. By reducing the size of the product and a light-weight-construction material savings were achieved, renewable resources like biopolymers were used. Per material savings and recycling-orientated design, the pay-back endurance for energy was significantly reduced. The product was winner of the "Berlin Environmental Award1999" in the category "green products".

    Environmental benefits:
    • Reduced material consumption
    • Use of renewable polymers

    Economic benefits:
    • Innovative product concepts (technology leader)

Link: www.wuseltronik.com
Case study Link: Case Study in German



You are a European SME of the electrical and electronics sector, but your eco-design case is not listed here? Let us know: ecodesignarc@izm.fraunhofer.de