CLEANER TECHNOLOGY LIFE-CYCLE METHODS - EUROPEAN RESEARCH-AND-DEVELOPMENT 1992-1994

Cleaner manufacturing is an increasing goal for industry in Europe for both existing and new facilities. The central issue is, how does one quantify cleaner? Toward that end, many university and industry groups in Europe are applying the principles of life cycle analysis (LCA). T hey also seek to develop new methods for use in the life cycle analysi s process. These efforts fit in three categories 1) life cycle invento ry or characterization, 2) the simplification algorithms to reduce the complexity of life cycle inventory to a single environmental factor, and 3) the policy or process utilization of these information. The rev iew of activities in the field of determining what are cleaner manufac turing alternatives was conducted in five European countries and the E uropean Union (EU) and for the period spanning 1992-1994. The purpose was to summarize and to establish mechanisms for U.S. engineers and sc ientists to begin collaboration with these research programs. Finally, some observations are made which compare the U.S. pollution preventio n thrust with the European system for life cycle analysis and ecolabel ling as a means to achieve environmental improvements.