| _version_ | 1866901720412454912 |
|---|---|
| author | Flemish Institute for Technological Research Deckers, Jana De Smet, Stefanie Peeters, Karolien Willot, Pieter |
| author_facet | Flemish Institute for Technological Research Deckers, Jana De Smet, Stefanie Peeters, Karolien Willot, Pieter |
| contents | <p><span lang="EN-GB">This report provides guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and prioritisation of eco-design measures for functional electronics in smart components, with the aim of reducing their environmental impact and improving circularity. The guidance is based on life cycle assessment (LCA) of different eco-design options relevant to this project, complemented by further considerations and background information. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Assessments were performed from a cradle-to-gate perspective, covering raw material production, transport, and manufacturing. The analyses are based on data from the ecoinvent database and information obtained from the UNICORN project Use Cases (UCs). The emphasis is on guidance, underpinned by consolidated knowledge from scientific literature and practical experiences from the projects UCs. The analyses of the eco-design measures are decoupled from the specific and limiting contexts of the individual use cases. This approach enables the formulation of broader eco-design insights that extend beyond the project scope and support the development of general design principles for sustainable and circular electronics.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Material optimisation is identified as a key strategy, with recycled materials, second-generation feedstock, secondary metals, and minimisation of CRM use as essential design considerations. However, the report emphasises that a holistic approach is essential to account for potential trade-offs, not only between different environmental impacts, but also in terms of circularity and end-of-life performance. Furthermore, when applying these guidelines, it is important to take into consideration the specific production practices, usage conditions, and end-of-life scenarios relevant to the components under study, as these factors strongly influence the overall performance. The aim of this report is to provide an overview of important aspects that need to be considered together with a structure for assessing eco-design options. <span> </span></span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Eco-design cannot be addressed solely at the component level. It must be embedded in the wider product and system architecture. In addition to material choices, strategies such as product lifetime extension, process optimisation, and reuse can further strengthen circularity potential. However, these measures are not elaborated in detail in this guidance as these are highly context-dependent and must be tailored to each specific system, as practices and system characteristics strongly influence their effectiveness. Nevertheless, in most cases the greatest benefits are achieved when such strategies are applied in combination rather than in isolation. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Overall, eco-design measures can play a decisive role in advancing the sustainability of functional electronics in smart systems. By prioritising secondary materials, second-generation feedstocks, and circular design principles, while fostering collaboration across the value chain, eco-design can leverage the contribution of functional electronics to the objectives of a circular and resource-efficient economy. </span></p> |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_17909955 |
| institution | Zenodo |
| language | |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
| record_format | zenodo |
| spellingShingle | Eco-design Guidelines for Functional Electronics Flemish Institute for Technological Research Deckers, Jana De Smet, Stefanie Peeters, Karolien Willot, Pieter eco-design Functional Electronics renewable materials bio-based substrates Silver ink Copper ink Life Cycle Inventories Printed Electronics <p><span lang="EN-GB">This report provides guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and prioritisation of eco-design measures for functional electronics in smart components, with the aim of reducing their environmental impact and improving circularity. The guidance is based on life cycle assessment (LCA) of different eco-design options relevant to this project, complemented by further considerations and background information. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Assessments were performed from a cradle-to-gate perspective, covering raw material production, transport, and manufacturing. The analyses are based on data from the ecoinvent database and information obtained from the UNICORN project Use Cases (UCs). The emphasis is on guidance, underpinned by consolidated knowledge from scientific literature and practical experiences from the projects UCs. The analyses of the eco-design measures are decoupled from the specific and limiting contexts of the individual use cases. This approach enables the formulation of broader eco-design insights that extend beyond the project scope and support the development of general design principles for sustainable and circular electronics.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Material optimisation is identified as a key strategy, with recycled materials, second-generation feedstock, secondary metals, and minimisation of CRM use as essential design considerations. However, the report emphasises that a holistic approach is essential to account for potential trade-offs, not only between different environmental impacts, but also in terms of circularity and end-of-life performance. Furthermore, when applying these guidelines, it is important to take into consideration the specific production practices, usage conditions, and end-of-life scenarios relevant to the components under study, as these factors strongly influence the overall performance. The aim of this report is to provide an overview of important aspects that need to be considered together with a structure for assessing eco-design options. <span> </span></span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Eco-design cannot be addressed solely at the component level. It must be embedded in the wider product and system architecture. In addition to material choices, strategies such as product lifetime extension, process optimisation, and reuse can further strengthen circularity potential. However, these measures are not elaborated in detail in this guidance as these are highly context-dependent and must be tailored to each specific system, as practices and system characteristics strongly influence their effectiveness. Nevertheless, in most cases the greatest benefits are achieved when such strategies are applied in combination rather than in isolation. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Overall, eco-design measures can play a decisive role in advancing the sustainability of functional electronics in smart systems. By prioritising secondary materials, second-generation feedstocks, and circular design principles, while fostering collaboration across the value chain, eco-design can leverage the contribution of functional electronics to the objectives of a circular and resource-efficient economy. </span></p> |
| title | Eco-design Guidelines for Functional Electronics |
| topic | eco-design Functional Electronics renewable materials bio-based substrates Silver ink Copper ink Life Cycle Inventories Printed Electronics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17909955 |