Page 287 - Design for Environment A Guide to Sustainable Product Development

Chemical Industries 263

help identify products and processes that consume less energy and
generate less waste and emissions than alternatives, while maintain-
ing or improving the products’ commercial value [8]. The tool has
been applied to over 100 different products and processes, such as
asphalt microsurfacing, nylon fiber, building materials, automotive
coatings, plastics, and adhesives. For example, BASF’s eco-efficiency
analysis for dyeing of blue denim revealed that electrochemical appli-
cation of a vat solution was preferable to the use of powdered, granu-
lar, or biotechnologically produced indigo.
Recently, BASF has expanded the scope of its analysis to consider
the three dimensions of sustainability—economy, environment, and
®
society. The company’s new SEEbalance tool (SocioEcoEfficiency
Analysis) enables integrated assessment not only of environmental
impacts and costs but also of the societal impacts of products and
processes (see Figure 13.4). The societal impacts are grouped into five
stakeholder categories: employees, international community, future
generations, consumers, and local and national community. For each
of these stakeholder categories measurable indicators are considered,
such as number of occupational accidents, and these are summarized
in the form of a “social fingerprint.”

References
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2008 Sector Performance Report.
2. P. Anastas and J. Warner, Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice (New York: Oxford
University Press, 1998).
3. More information about Dow Chemical’s sustainability commitments is avail-
able at www.dow.com/commitments/.
4. T. C. Sparks, G. D. Crouse, J. E. Dripps, P. Anzeveno, J. Martynow, C. V. DeAmicis,
and J. Gifford, “Neural network-based QSAR and insecticide discovery:
spinetoram,” Journal of Computer Aided Molecular Design, 2008.
5. N. Su and R. H. Scheffrahn, “A review of subterranean termite practices and
prospects for integrated pest management programmes,” Integrated Pest
Management Reviews, 1998.
6. More information about DuPont’s sustainability programs is available at
www2.dupont.com/Sustainability/en_US/.
7. More information about BASF’s sustainability programs is available at www.
basf.com/group/sustainability_en/index.
8. P. Saling, A. Kicherer, B. Dittrich-Krämer, R. Wittlinger, W. Zombik, I. Schmidt,
W. Schrott and S. Schmidt, “Eco-Efficiency Analysis by BASF: The Method,”
International Journal of Life Cycle Analysis, 2002.