Ecodesign claims

Question 1

Ecodesign claims

Answer 1

• Avoiding toxic substances is good for the environment!
• Renewable raw materials are good for the environment!
• Biofuels are good for the environment!
• Insulation is good for the environment!
• Less packaging is good for the environment!
• Lightweight design is good for the environment!
• Design for Repair is good for the environment!
• Recycling is good for the environment!

Question 2

Renewable raw materials are good for the environment!

Answer 2

LCA
Cellidor

• Ecodesign project analyzing the use of renewable raw materials in the interior
of cars; here: door component
• Default solution is PC/ABS carrier with PMMA mantling
• Alternative solution has the same carrier material but PMMA is substituted by
Cellidor (Biopolymer based on cellulose CAP)
• Comparative LCA of PMMA and Cellidor mantling according to ISO 14040/44
considering the entire product life cycle

Question 3

Biofuels are good for the environment!

Answer 3

Saving the Planet’s Climate or Water Resources?

• EU committed itself to reach a 10% share of renewable energy (mainly
biofuels) in road transport by 2020 (Renewable Energy Directive)
• Studies reveal a GHG reduction potential of biofuels of up to ~50% for biodiesel
(soy bean, US) and ~65% for bioethanol (sugar cane, Brazil) Zah 2007)
• However, the production of biofuels can require a lot of water:
– up to 11,636 L per L of biodiesel from jatropha
– up to 4,254 L per L of bioethanol from sorghum ( Gerbens Leenes et al. 2009)
• Study analyses trade off between Carbon and Water Footprints of EU Biofuels
• Functional unit 1 GJ fuel
– 31 L biodiesel / 28 L diesel
– 47 L bioethanol / 33 L gasoline