Takafumi Hashitani

The development of Bio-based Polymers for Notebook PC

The article discusses the life cycle of personal computer (PC) housings made from plant resin and analyzed their environmental burden by considering carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and various inputs such as energy and resources during the life cycle. We compared the levels of CO2 emission from PC housings made from bio- and fossil-fuel-based polymers throughout their life cycles. There were differences in CO2 emissions from the two materials during the production and incineration. The overall results showed that using the bio-based polymer provided an environmental advantage equal to a 14.8% decrease in CO2 emissions over the entire life cycle. In the future, PC housings discarded after use will be recycled into raw materials for new PC housing. Although some electrical power is required to recycle used housing into raw material, the CO2 emissions from the bio-based polymers life cycle are 28.8% lower than those made from the fossil-fuel-based polymer because less virgin material is consumed

Biodegradable plastics for LSI shipping materials

A basic component in the environmental strategy of Fujitsu is supporting product recycling so as to protect the environment. This report describes the use of biodegradable plastics in the shipping materials of electronic parts. It is essential for Fujitsus strategy that shipping materials, such as LSI trays, can be reused to complete the recycling system, which consists of the following stages: production, distribution, usage, collection, and waste. Biodegradable plastics for LSI shipping materials were developed for the case where these materials might drop out of the recycling system. These materials have to be suitable as shipping materials and also have to maintain their biodegradability.

Environmental burden assessment method for ICT solutions

We have developed a method for evaluating the possibility of reducing environmental burden through the introduction of ICT solutions, based on ICTs environmental efficiency evaluation guideline. The method used calculates the environmental burden (CO2 emissions) before and after the introduction of our ICT solution with respect to seven environmental factors, including resource consumption and human transportation. What is prominent in our system particularly is that the increase and decrease of office spaces as a result of introducing ICT required for work (working efficiency), documents, equipment, etc., is included as a subject for evaluation as office spaces. In addition to evaluation of the environmental burden, eco-efficiency and the factor were considered through the case study.

Life-cycle Assessment of LSI Packaging Embossed Tape Made from Bio-based Polymer

This paper assesses the life-cycle of packaging materials designed to protect large-scale integration devices from shock and static electricity when they are transported from semiconductor factories to printed-circuit-board factories. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted during production and incineration was reduced by 11% when embossed plastic tape packaging made from non-renewable sources was replaced by material made from bio-based polymer