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 In recent years concern for the environment has grown among national governments, industry and the general public. In consequence, there is pressure to improve manufacturing systems and change consumer behaviour to progress towards sustainable development. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has emerged as a leading tool for quantitative analysis of environmental impacts of products and processes, which are often very complex. LCA measures the impact on the environment over the course of a products’ lifetime, from the parts and materials that are used in its manufacture through to its assembly, shipment, use, and ultimate disposal. Major drivers for the increased use of LCA include: Assessing and Improving Environmental Performance- LCA provides a holistic understanding of environmental performance; the impact on the environment can be reduced not just in certain process stages, but from the viewpoint of the products’ total lifetime. Legislation – Governments are increasingly requiring LCAs to be carried out to demonstrate compliance with existing legislation. Marketing and Eco-Labels – LCA results can be used to promote products based on environmental criteria. Environmental Product Declarations are eco-labels based on LCA results and are an increasingly popular way of differentiating products from competitors by emphasising environmental performance. Improvements to Process and Product Design – LCA provides a strategic tool for the identification of process and product design improvements. Corus has Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data for steel industry products. This includes materials and energy balances, as well as an evaluation of emissions to air, water and land in the supply chain industries (i.e. mining, transport, power, chemicals etc). The LCI was compiled in accordance with ISO 14041 guidelines on conducting LCAs. Corus can provide the following LCA Services: LCA Studies (to ISO 14041 Standard) – Defining the scope and the boundaries of the project, developing a software model of the system being studied, compiling the LCI, conducting the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) studies, analysing sensitivity to assumptions and data quality and interpretation of results. Critical Reviews of LCAs – Internally generated LCAs should be reviewed critically by external parties to ensure compliance with ISO 14041 standard. Advice on Existing LCA Studies / Methodologies – Corus can comment on the results or methodology used in external LCA studies. Related Activities – Corus can assist with the Life Cycle Costing or Whole Life Costing of products. Corus can provide service and support to Works, commercial and technical functions, customers and designers who use steel products and those who wish to evaluate using steel in their products and services. | |
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