Eco-design and eco-efficiency in the machinery of the construction and public works

One of the main conclusions of the United Nations Conference in Rio de Janeiro on environment and development (June 1992) was that the reduction of environmental impacts generated by the man requires not only a commitment by Governments, but also by businesses, non-governmental organizations and technological communities.

At the enterprise level, this commitment is reflected mainly in the implementation of the systems of environmental management (EMS), posed as a set of actions and measures taken in order to contribute to the implementation of existing legislation and to reduce aggressions that are generated on the environment. The incorporation of these policies in companies has generated at the same time new concepts such as eco-design and eco-efficiency, associated with the same goal: reducing the environmental impacts of products or services.

"they progressively ecological impacts and reduce the intensity of resources throughout the life cycle to a level at least adequate to the estimated capacity of the planet". Therefore, the eco-efficiency arises as an objective, while the ecodesign appears as a way to achieve.

Eco-efficiency = value of the product or service / environmental impact

Eco-design incorporates environmental considerations as a new criterion to be considered in the definition of a product or service, based on an assessment of the environmental impact that will generate throughout his life: from the extraction of raw materials and the use of energy resources

primary, through the stages of manufacture, use and maintenance, to its end of life (including possible recycling or reuse). Obviously, this approach provides a field of environmental action of large amplitude, which goes beyond corrective action or improvements which tend to be generally applied on products that are already on the market. On the other hand, the eco-efficiency is the primary means through which companies contribute to sustainable development and at the same time manage to increase their competitiveness. Enter an economic assessment of the product or service in relation to its environmental impact, so it integrates both aspects.

The use of methodologies of ecodesign on a product can reduce their environmental impact, with the consequent improvement of eco-efficiency associated index from its definition.

At the enterprise level, the leading countries in the incorporation of EMS are Japan, China, Spain, Italy and United Kingdom. However, there are other countries with an important development, even higher than the previous countries, on specific issues of eco-design and eco-efficiency as analysis of of life cycle (LCA), design for end of life recycling (recovery) or environmental impact studies. They can be highlighted including Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland. A strong participation of governmental and non-governmental agencies, technological institutes, universities and companies is evident in all of them.

In Spain, the main references technology in eco-design and eco-efficiency-related activities are the Institute of science and environmental technology (Icta) of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, which works closely with the research SosteniPra group and the high school of Design Elisava and IhobePublic society of environmental management (Basque country). Some other institutions participating in projects and related thematic networks are Gaiker (Basque country), Aimme (Valencian Community), Ita (Aragon) and the Cartif Foundation (Castile and León, Spain.

However, environmental practices in the companies are limited in most cases to measures for the protection and control of pollution (water, waste treatment and emissions) and for recycling.

Obviously, the eco-design and eco-efficiency are much broader concepts, covering many other possible measures such as the reduction of energy consumption, minimizing the use of materials and preferential use of those with low environmental impact, facilitation of the repair and maintenanceincreased durability, reduction in the use of toxic substances and non-renewable natural resources, among others.

The incorporation of environmental policies in companies responds to a belief that this will bring future benefits

1) Environmental legislation (direct influence).

(2) The pressure that can receive the sector of its customers (the indirect influence of the legislation) or of other social actors.

Both factors are clearly identified within companies as good reasons to justify carrying out studies of eco-design and eco-efficiency. In general, the incorporation of environmental policies in companies responds to a belief that this will bring future benefits, related first to respond to customers and secondly with the simple compliance with environmental regulations.

In the case of the MOP, its main client, the construction sector, is subject to strong environmental regulation (as introduced in the technical building code), because of their high level of associated impact. Would expect - it then that this pressure is transferred progressively also the sector of the MOP (mainly in connection with the use of the products), as the level of demands increase. On the other hand, with regard to the direct influence of the environmental legislation on the sector, while currently confined to generate the improvement of certain specific components, is likely to arise new demands that forcing the industry to a greater use of the eco-design and eco-efficiency.

In the case of the MOP, it is possible to identify a number of sources of aggression to the environment as the main influence for this sector in particular: emissions, waste, noise, consumption of resources in their manufacture or use, and harm to the health of users and security.

With regard to emissions, mainly associated with combustion engines used, while as already mentioned there is no legislation which is generating some concrete answers in the sector activity is still very incipient. The goal marked fine-tuning is the reach emission levels significantly lower than the current (Tier4-StageIII) for all types of engines, such as those used in dumpers, forklifts, excavators, graders, loader, manipulative, etc. In this sense, there is much work of ecodesign pending to be done, since the study of new technologies to the implementation of the solutions generated. The possibilities of the new power generation systems, but so far there is no evidence of that sector of the MOP is considering it as a way of improvement of its products, are solutions of great interest also appear. It is likely that the use of other fuels (such as hydrogen or liquefied natural gas) or alternative energy sources (such as solar), on which great advances being made in other sectors as the automotive industry, also to the MOP in the medium or long term.

As for noise, as a kind of environmental pollution, there is a tendency in the MOP to try to minimize it (both for own operators of machines and others). However, the solutions in general aim to add acoustic insulation than to try to reduce the sources of noise. Eco-design, as a tool, would in such cases to assess both types of solutions and define what is the optimal. In this regard, not only above might apply machinery mentioned above, but also on smaller machines like tronzadoras, cutters, grinding, drilling machines, folding machines, electric scaffolding, etc.

With regard to the generation of waste and its minimization, analyzed technologies often provide important improvements not only in relation to the possibility of recycling of components, but also in specific items (spare parts) maintenance, reuse and increased durability. In the case of the MOP can be of great interest. The minimization of the use of resources together with the minimization of harm to the health of the users are criteria applicable to all the MOP in general, the implementation of the eco-design and eco-efficiency are also presented as ways of improving these aspects.

Finally, as progress is made in these environmental issues, the implementation of the eco-design and eco-efficiency may generate new products, a machinery that in addition to complying with the functional requirements will reduce their environmental impact.

Regardless of this, other difficulties that may occur are directly related with the implementation of the associated methodologies. In carrying out an LCA for example, in certain cases may not be information of departure required to carry out the study. From here, the assessment of the environmental impact of the system of product could hamper greatly, or they could even generate results whose validity is not assured.

In regards the resource requirements, the implementation of the eco-design and eco-efficiency are carried out through a series of specific methodologies through them which can be relevant environmental assessments. Some of the most used are for example the life cycle assessment (LCA), assessments of environmental performance, studies of environmental impact (EIA), the analysis of environmental risks, the assessments of Eco-indicadores, among others. These studies requires in most cases the use of specific analysis, databases and information programmes relating to materials and processes involved, and experienced users to achieve adequately develop methods. However, in many cases these studies can be subcontracted, in which case investments in r & d at the domestic level for the development of eco-design and eco-efficiency should not be so high.

Secondly, the use of eco-design and eco-efficiency has proved to be a way to increase the competitiveness of enterprises. The improvement of corporate image associated with the "green products" or "friendly to the environment" has direct effects on the market in a society with a growing environmental awareness. This is of particular importance in the sector of the MOP, above which there is in general an image positive from an environmental point of view. This aspect can be provided on products in obtaining the so-called ecolabels, national or European, that certify the environmental sensitivity of the company.

In strictly economic terms, the use of the techniques analyzed helps in many cases the reduction of the costs associated with obtaining and processing of raw materials, production and energy consumption, transportation and distribution of products, and the treatment of waste generated. Costs associated with insurance are generally lower for those companies that develop environmental policies. There are also other economic benefits that can get businesses by hosting different environmental management systems promoted by the authorities.

Finally, the current trend is clearly towards increasingly stringent environmental regulations that at some point will reach the sector of the MOP more directly. It involves a change in the traditional concept of the design that the sooner it is taken over by easier business will be then adapted to an environment in which the environmental issues will be of enormous importance.

Logically, this change will bring new solutions and generate new technological opportunities.