7. Eco-friendly Materials: In line
with Circular Economy principles, using eco-friendly and sustainable materials in the investment casting process can further reduce the environmental impact of the foundry technology.
So, as we understand, many of the opportunities are already present and considered into the Investment Casting Manufacturing Technology, the question is to elevate those to an strategical position and in particular the concept of Eco design.
Eco design involves relating the
value proposition of the product with management of the efficiency and innovation of the value chain and its life cycle.
Being Investment Casting a manufacturing technology,
the above implies a higher
degree of integration with the owner of the product design in search of the optimization of the Life Cycle Cost and contributing together into the Life Cycle Analysis. Therefore, within the variables considered into the product design, a new and relevant one is being incorporated into the environment.
• Eco design means that the environment is taken into account when making decisions during the product development process.
• The design phase supports explanation of 70% of environmental burden and consequently provides an opportunity to optimize those.
• The environment can be a key cost reduction and differentiation driver.
Furthermore, there is a legal frame and standardization
already looking at these ideas as a requirement and those are needed to be taken into account, (see below as an example although of limited scope in products application as transport means are excluded but already setting a path for future legal frame)
Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. The field of standardization is also providing some guidelines for the ecodesign process such as: “ISO 14006:2020
Environmental Management Systems —
Guidelines for Incorporating Ecodesign” ISO 14006/2020 introduction concepts & definitions
establishes: Organizations are recognizing both the need to reduce adverse impacts on the environment from
®
their product(s) and the need to include environmental considerations in design and development, applying life cycle thinking. This process is generally called “ecodesign”. Other terms that are used include “design for environment (DfE)”, “environmentally conscious design (ECD)”, “environmentally sustainable design” and “green design”. The term “ecodesign” is used throughout this document. In this document, design and development is regarded as a process, and is referred to as simply “design and development”. Ecodesign is defined in this document as a systematic approach, which considers
environmental aspects in
design and development with the aim to reduce adverse environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of a product. In this document it is understood that the EMS should take account of design and development, and, within that, ecodesign, with a view to enhancing product- related environmental performance.
Ecodesign should be applied to new and existing
products, including the modification of processes as needed in delivering products.
So as identified above there is a frame of requirements
taking shape that will define a new set of requirements for Investment Casting technology and associated products. It is time for the industry to be aware of this and position this set of requirements as a strategic factor and an opportunity to be more competitive and continue providing solutions in key of social responsibility contributing to the advance of the society once more. The elements exposed above related with the Circular
Economy shall be analyzed in depth from different perspectives and related topics at the 32nd EICF International Conference & Exhibition in Naples (Italy) next May 2024, you are all invited.
August 2023 ❘ 11
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