The Eco-Efficiency Analysis

1 The Methodology. The eco-efficiency analysis starts with the definition of a specific customer benefit. The analysis then compares economic and ecological advantages and disadvantages across several product or process solutions, which can fulfill the same function for customers (Saling et al., 2002). This means that 

In this way, the environmental impact of the production, the usage behavior of the consumers, and the various possibilities for reuse and disposal are analyzed. Additionally, a comprehensive economic assessment is performed, including all costs incurred in manufacturing or use of a product. The economic analysis and the overall environmental impact are then combined to evaluate the eco-efficiency. Thus, all relevant decision factors are analyzed with specific customer benefits always being the focus of attention. 

Eco-efficient solutions to the problems are those that provide a better customer benefit from a cost and environmental point of view. 

the economic data are compiled over the entire lifecycle. The total costs are normalized with respect to the average of all alternatives. This helps in identifying cost drivers and areas offering potential for cost reductions. The data on relative costs and environmental impacts are used to construct a diagram, the so-called eco-efficiency portfolio, which clearly shows the strengths and weaknesses of each product or process. 

In the first step of the partnership, BASF provided its eco-efficiency expertise (see Section 6.1.3 for detailed discussion of BASF eco-efficiency analysis) to help Moroccan textile dye works operate in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way. Based on the eco-efficiency analysis and the experience of many years with products and processes in the textile sector, BASF developed a software package, which was given to Moroccan companies free of charge. The software tool substantially simplifies the compilation of an eco-efficiency analysis. It uses key technical data to calculate how the manufacturing process can be improved. 

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Fifty percent of the eco-efficiency analyses conducted to date have been used for internal strategy and research decisions. The other half of the analyses has been carried out in cooperation with external partners such as customers, NGOs, and governmental institutions. Right from the beginning the eco-efficiency analysis was discussed in public. This has led to many valuable contributions from external parties and has put the method at a high level of acceptance throughout various industries and stakeholders. 

The eco-efficiency analysis focuses on each phase of a product s lifecycle from cradle to grave, beginning with the extraction of raw materials from the Earth and... 

Eco-efficiency analysis permits a condensed representation of complex interrelationships, which, as a result, are easier to grasp and to understand. Often, the facts and implications of a case are only vaguely understood. The results of an eco-efficiency analysis allow the visual presentation of these facts and provide a sound basis for discussion. Moreover, the detailed information gained from the investigations enables a more targeted technical, ecological, and economic development of the products and processes. From a user s perspective, the understanding of costs and various environmental aspects of a product is often of a relatively subjective nature. The eco-efficiency analysis illustrates these aspects and makes them more readily accessible for discussion. 

In the following, the implementation and practical handling of sustainable development within BASF is presented in more detail. Furthermore, an important instrument, the eco-efficiency analysis, is described. BASF was one of the first chemical companies to develop this method for use in its business activities. 

Despite these limitations, the eco-efficiency analysis provides a good bases for discussion. Figure 5.8 compares different alternatives, showing that, for example, the use of biomass for electricity production via the conventional combustion route is not different, in terms of eco-efficiency, with respect to biodiesel, while bioethanol is slightly worse. The best situation is for vitamin B2 by fermentation, but clearly the dimension of the market between vitamin B2 and biofuels is completely different. 

The Eco-Efficiency Analysis as an Approach for the Checking of Sustainability in Industrial Products and Applications... 

The eco-efficiency analysis is worked out by following specifie and defined... 

Figure 3.5 Scenario of the eco-efficiency analysis for alternative curing systems.

The eco-efficiency analysis in this case study was able to outline and to describe new goals of research activities. It was able to highlight the most important factors that influence the system. 

The eco-efficiency analysis has demonstrated that BASIL is much more eco-efficient than the conventional method. ... 

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