ANALYSIS OF LEAD ACID BATTERY LIFE-CYCLE FACTORS - THEIR IMPACT ON SOCIETY AND THE LEAD INDUSTRY/

The underlying theme of this paper is that society, globally, is under going a fundamental conceptual shift in the way it views the environme nt and the role of industry within it. There are views in certain quar ters that this could result in the virtual elimination of the lead ind ustry's entire product range. Despite these threats, it is argued that the prospects for the lead industry appear to be relatively favourabl e in a number of respects. The industry's future depends to a signific ant degree, however, upon its ability to argue its case in a number of key areas. It is contended, therefore, that if appropriate strategies and means are promulgated, the prospects of the industry would appear to be relatively healthy. But, for this to happen with optimal effect iveness, a conceptual change will be necessary within the industry. Ne w strategies and tools will have to be developed, These will require a significantly more integrated, holistically based and 'reflexive' app roach than previously. The main elements of such an approach are outli ned. With reference to the authors' ongoing research into automotive l ead/acid starting lighting ignition (SLI) batteries, the paper shows h ow the technique of in-depth life cycle assessment (LCA), appropriatel y adapted to the needs of the industry, will provide a crucial role in this new approach. It also shows how it may be used as an internal de sign and assessment tool to identify those stages in the battery life cycle that give rise to the greatest environmental burdens, and to ass ess the effects of changes in the cycle to those burdens. It is argued that the development of this approach requires the serious and urgent attention of the whole of the lead industry. Also to make the LCA too l fully effective, it must be based on a 'live' database that is produ ced, maintained and continually updated by the industry. (C) 1997 Else vier Science S.A.