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A: raw material intensive

Improvement <-

Improvement objectives and strategies for basic type A
(raw material intensive product)

Use alternative materials

Different materials show a varying impact on the environment in their extraction. The requirement for resources and energy also varies depending on the material selected.
Is it thinkable, in principle, to replace those materials of a product that have been identified as particularly resource-consuming (such as virgin aluminum, copper, carbon fiber...) by other materials?

-> Selecting the right materials

Target: Reduction of environmental impact by using environmentally sound materials, recycled materials, renewable materials, ...


Use less of a given type of material

An improvement of the environmental impact can also be realized by generally reducing the material input.
Is it possible to minimize the amount of resource-consuming material used in the product?

-> Reducing material inputs

Target: Reduction of amount of material by design aiming at optimum strength, integration of functions, ...


Make intensive use of resources

Optimum use of the product results in an efficient use of the various materials contained in the product. This is an important approach to an economical use of resources. Products that are easy to handle and that require only little maintenance provide for an efficient use.
Is it possible to further improve handling, functionality and thus the usability of the product?
Is it possible to prolong the life cycle of the product by means of regular tests of the functionality and operational safety?

-> Optimizing product use

Target: Improved usability of products through adaptability, ergonomics, ...

-> Optimizing product functionality

Target: Improved functionality by means of upgrading, multi functionality, ...

-> Improving maintenance

Target: Improving maintenance through wear detection, ...


Use resources as long as possible

A long product life ensures optimum utilization of the materials used in the production process. Ease of repair avoids premature disposal of the product.
Is it possible to further prolong the life time of the product?

-> Increasing product durability

Target: Durability through dimensioning, surface design, ...

-> Improving reparability

Target: Improving access to, disassembling, and exchange, ... of parts


Reuse materials contained in the product

Careful utilization of resources also means to use renewable raw materials and/or secondary materials (recycled materials).
Is it possible to reuse resource-consuming materials from the product after its end of life and to integrate them in well-functioning closed material cycles?
Is it necessary, for this purpose, to disassemble components or to separate different materials after the service life of the product?

-> Improving disassembly

Target: Make possible product take back and ease of disassembling (fastness, ...)

-> Reuse of product parts

Target: Make possible reuse of parts (access, remanufacturing, ...)

-> Recycling of materials

Target: Make possible recycling of materials (separation, labeling, ...)

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