J. Muller

Environmental assessments of electronics: a new model to bridge the gap between full life cycle evaluations and product design

In this paper summaries and comparisons of different approaches for the environmental assessment of electronics are presented. A new assessment model developed at the IZM is explained, which is based on the material content of a product instead of the complete life cycle process chain. Comparisons with other simplified indicator systems and with complex life cycle methods such as those according to SETAC or EPS are made. Emphasis is put on the user needs and the data acquisition problems for each approach and on the usability of the results in the design of electronic products.

EE-Toolbox-a modular assessment system for the environmental optimization of electronics

Electronic products are so complex and fast evolving that specific life cycle analysis (LCA) during the product development are still not feasible. One successful alternative is a modular evaluation concept. The spectrum of companies in electronics-from the small, specialized company where one person handles all environmental affairs to the global players with their own environmental research departments-requires a flexible mixture of basic research and reliable data generation, contract R&D, and the transfer of results and methods into management workflows. Several electronic systems mainly from information and communications products have been assessed with a different number of modules, depending on the expected or necessary width and depth of results. For all examples optimization strategies and specific improvements will be shown.

An environmental comparison of packaging and interconnection technologies

Packaging and interconnection are driving forces behind the miniaturization of electronics. Since miniaturization means less use of resources this trend seems inherently environmentally benign. Adverse effects may overlay this simple truth. The investments for new production facilities rise, the complexity and closeness of non-separable compounds in electronic products increase and the amount and applications of electronic goods multiply. The goal must be to influence new technology developments as early as possible to ensure that the balance of the listed effects remains positive for the environment. As a first step in this direction a simple comparison of different interconnection options is made which is based on the material content of the different printed circuit board assemblies.

Environmental performance of mobile products

Digitalization, miniaturization and integration are strong drivers for further development of products for mobile communication. As such these will generally lead to lower environmental loads per product. However, the strongly increasing number of products on the market will reverse this trend for the total sector. Examinations on telephones have been carried out jointly at Philips Consumer Electronics and at the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration (IZM). The characteristic product parts, energy supply, display, encasing and electronic signal processing are subjected to an environmental assessment (including environmental assessment with Eco-Indicator and with the Toxic Potential Indicator IZM-TPI) and improvement potentials are shown for the selected products. The analysis shows that in mobile products, energy systems and the printed circuit boards are the key elements in further reduction of environmental loads. Both alternative substrates, lead free soldering and component selection (less hazardous substances) can contribute substantially towards this goal. These three topics are combined with further miniaturization, especially reduction of the board size, in the future. Approximately only half of the potential in this field has been implemented yet. As an overall result, it is concluded that the environmentally based load of present and future mobile products can be kept within limits if a swift implementation of EcoDesign (design for environment) is ensured.

Environmental aspects of PCB microintegration

Environmental problems caused by electronic products in connection with mass production and widespread use require growing attention from the public, the legislative and also from the manufacturers. Possibilities of environmental improvements are presented and assessed by means of a screening method based on the Toxic Potential Indicator. In these cases minimised products are more environmentally compatible. But in future the large-scale manufacturing processes for these products have to be taken into consideration.

Environmental screening of packaging and interconnection technologies

As a complement to life cycle assessment various environmental screening models have been developed. The screening parameter discussed in this paper addresses the toxicity of materials in electronic products. Obviously the material content of electronic assemblies is also needed for all other methods which distinguish down to the technology level and therefore serve as a starting point for more detailed environmental investigations. The modern packaging and interconnection technologies are driving forces behind the miniaturization of electronics in general and are used as parameters for a trend analysis of future electronics.

European Environmental Legislation - Insights into the EuP Process

After the repercussions of the introduction of RoHS and WEEE have slowed down, and the first revisions are on the way, the focus in environmental legislation for electronics is shifting in two major directions: the internationalization of RoHS- and WEEE-like requirements and potential new requirements especially from EuP and REACh directives. After giving an overview of the status of substance restriction for electronics worldwide (RoHS-related developments) the focus is put on explaining the EuP process, which can lead to far-reaching impacts in the product development process. The framework directive for ecodesign of energy using products (EuP) has been in force in Europe since 2005 already, but only now the process for setting eco- requirements for specific products is becoming clear. Compliance to such requirements is still a few years away, but industry needs to be involved throughout the development. The paper will explain the steps and possibilities of that process and the results of the so-called preparatory studies, which prepare the definition of eco-requirements. The authors have been involved in some of the preparatory studies - on external power supplies, TVs, imaging equipment and on standby and off-mode losses - and can ensure that the most recent results are included in the paper and the presentation.

On the way to green mobile products

Future electronic products will not only require high quality and reliability as well as convincing properties in use, they will have to be economically efficient and environmentally compatible over their whole life cycle. For the design of such electronic products, product evaluation tools are necessary to improve the various properties step by step. For environmental assessment, the EE toolbox is applied which was developed especially for electronic products based on material content. A new tool for the evaluation of polymers has completed this modular approach which takes thermal treatment after use into account. With regard to the general discussion of global warming and the need for CO/sub 2/ reduction, characteristic values of incineration are used for rating the system.

Towards a better closed loop economy for electronic products. Information management between manufacturers and recyclers

Taking into account recycling technologies and the development of electronic products towards further miniaturization and increasing complexity various ways are shown, how by improving the information flow the products last life phase can be made more economically and ecologically efficient. Both centralized and decentralized, product integrated information systems are taken into consideration. In an industrial project scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Micro-integration (IZM) in Berlin developed the information system IDEE. This system, where international manufacturers and regional recyclers work together, is described in more detail.

Strategies to integrate life cycle engineering into technological developments-the 3G Greenbook Initiative

At present time the overall technological development seems to be intrinsic and nearly independent from other than economic considerations. The ICT industry for instance has an enormous potential for making the world more sustainable by using their technological know how to reduce environmental burdens, fostering education and participation through applications of advanced technological products. However, the current development of electronics and information and communication technology reflects no considerations of ethical or sustainability values. This paper presents one example on how technological development and product manufacturing might be changed in the near future due to the growing recognition of sustainable development within the ICT industry. Taking the mobile communication industry, with its network provider, system technology and handheld device manufacturer, expanding markets and global supply chains, as an example, it is discussed how this branch might change their technological development and management praxis to more sustainability in a sense of a global value that focus on a well balanced ecological, economical and social development as well as equal opportunities for present and future generations. It is briefly discussed what sustainability means in the context of mobile communication technology. Then a close look is taken at the growing sustainability initiatives in the field of mobile communication and the 3G Greenbook Initiative of T-Mobile Germany in particular. With regards to environmentally benign and sustainable technology development and production socio-ethical standards for procurement and supply chain management are an important issue within the 3G Greenbook. As more and more companies are implementing environmental management systems, e.g. EAMS or ISO 14001, starting environmental and sustainability reporting, e.g. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), green procurement requirements are flourishing.