SALIENT Initiated Change with Ecodesign Guidelines
Front Cover of the Ecodesign Guide for the Automotive Sector
SALIENT Project coordinator CTAG has recently published an innovative guide, titled Ecodesign Guide for the Automotive Industry aimed at revolutionising the automotive industry's approach to sustainability.
This comprehensive guide offers a holistic view of ecodesign principles within the context of the circular economy model and its principles: i) reduce, ii) reuse, iii) recycle, and iv) life cycle thinking.
From its inception as a departure from traditional design methods to its evolution into a vital aspect of product conception, ecodesign has rapidly advanced, emphasising the integration of environmental and sustainability criteria into automotive development. The SALIENT Consortium, consisting of 12 partners, from 7 different European countries, is currently working towards the creation of a Front-End- Structure (FES) based on aluminum and Thermo Plastic Reinforced with Carbon Fibre (TP-CRFP) to achieve the ambitious goal of 42 % weight reduction at the system level. The FES will incorporate the ecodesign principles outlined in the guide and serves as a practical example.
The guide delves into the methodology behind ecodesign practices, exploring their profound impact on final product designs. It covers everything from analysing environmental design methodologies to integrating environmental parameters with technical requirements, aiming to minimise the environmental impact of the product. Additionally, the connection between weight saving and environmental design is analysed, all within the framework of circular economy, which underscores the SALIENT fundamentals. The final section of the Ecodesign Guide, presents the SALIENT project approach, as a real-world automotive case study and showcases how the ecodesign principles are put into practice within the project.
It offers the reader a detailed review of the redesigning process to the simulation results, ensuring alignment with environmental and technical objectives. This process aims to develop a final validated design that meets the SALIENT project's goals.
The guide marks a significant milestone in our goal to drive sustainable innovation in the automotive sector.
Find the full guide available below!