TY - THES

T1 - Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Critical Raw Materials in Eco-Design Products within the European Context

AU - Postolachi, Bogdan

N1 - no embargo

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - The transition to a sustainable global economy necessitates an immediate re-evaluation of our raw material consumption (Lenzen et al., 2021; Mancini & Nuss, 2020).This endeavors involves finding an equilibrium between economic development, environmental preservation and the efficient use of resources (Basheer et al., 2022).The objective of this thesis is todevelop a Multi-criteria classification system for raw materials based on their scarcity, criticality, and environmental relevance, specifically within the European context. In parallel we will conduct a detailed analysis of the raw materials used in various products defined in theproduct scope (all products which fall under the Ecodesign Directive, excluding "Tyres" and "Lighting." We will also investigate products with the ongoing preparatory study ''Tablets and Smartphones'' and ''Photovoltaic'' because of high content in critical and strategic raw materials. Additionally, we will analyzed other products that are still not regulated but relevant in terms of material content and examined in previous Working Plans since the adoption of thefirst Ecodesign Directive (covering the periods 2009-2011, 2012-2014, 2016-2019 and 2022-2024) e.g."Taps and showers"). We will integrate the findings into a big table, which providesa clear and complete overview of priority ‘couples’ material + product. This system is essential for enabling policymakers to make informed decisions concerning the allocation andresponsible utilization of raw materials for all the products regulated by Ecodesign Directive.The reason for focusing on eco-design products is their crucial role in the EU's commitment to a greener economy and existing framework regulation, making it easy to adapt new potentialregulatory approaches regarding materials efficiency.:• Information requirement (on material weight/weight range).• Requirements on dismantlability (to recover more easily the material).• Requirements setting a minimum share of recycled raw material.Traditionally, evaluations of raw materials have emphasized the environmental downsides of their extraction and use. The thesis analyses the positive environmental impacts of certain rawmaterials, especially those critical for renewable energy and other strategic sectors. This approach challenges conventional methodologies e.g. “OekoRess,” which focuses on the potential negative environmental impacts of mining. The thesis introduces a different way to assess raw materials' "environmental relevance" parameters within the "Multi-CriteriaEvaluation System of Raw Materials." It suggests that mining operations could increase their value by focusing on materials essential for renewable energy technologies. This perspectivenot only redefines the environmental criticality of raw materials but also aligns with broader sustainability objectives by underscoring the essential role of certain materials in advancing renewable energy technologies and other sustainable practices.

AB - The transition to a sustainable global economy necessitates an immediate re-evaluation of our raw material consumption (Lenzen et al., 2021; Mancini & Nuss, 2020).This endeavors involves finding an equilibrium between economic development, environmental preservation and the efficient use of resources (Basheer et al., 2022).The objective of this thesis is todevelop a Multi-criteria classification system for raw materials based on their scarcity, criticality, and environmental relevance, specifically within the European context. In parallel we will conduct a detailed analysis of the raw materials used in various products defined in theproduct scope (all products which fall under the Ecodesign Directive, excluding "Tyres" and "Lighting." We will also investigate products with the ongoing preparatory study ''Tablets and Smartphones'' and ''Photovoltaic'' because of high content in critical and strategic raw materials. Additionally, we will analyzed other products that are still not regulated but relevant in terms of material content and examined in previous Working Plans since the adoption of thefirst Ecodesign Directive (covering the periods 2009-2011, 2012-2014, 2016-2019 and 2022-2024) e.g."Taps and showers"). We will integrate the findings into a big table, which providesa clear and complete overview of priority ‘couples’ material + product. This system is essential for enabling policymakers to make informed decisions concerning the allocation andresponsible utilization of raw materials for all the products regulated by Ecodesign Directive.The reason for focusing on eco-design products is their crucial role in the EU's commitment to a greener economy and existing framework regulation, making it easy to adapt new potentialregulatory approaches regarding materials efficiency.:• Information requirement (on material weight/weight range).• Requirements on dismantlability (to recover more easily the material).• Requirements setting a minimum share of recycled raw material.Traditionally, evaluations of raw materials have emphasized the environmental downsides of their extraction and use. The thesis analyses the positive environmental impacts of certain rawmaterials, especially those critical for renewable energy and other strategic sectors. This approach challenges conventional methodologies e.g. “OekoRess,” which focuses on the potential negative environmental impacts of mining. The thesis introduces a different way to assess raw materials' "environmental relevance" parameters within the "Multi-CriteriaEvaluation System of Raw Materials." It suggests that mining operations could increase their value by focusing on materials essential for renewable energy technologies. This perspectivenot only redefines the environmental criticality of raw materials but also aligns with broader sustainability objectives by underscoring the essential role of certain materials in advancing renewable energy technologies and other sustainable practices.

KW - Rohstoffe

KW - Ökodesign

KW - Kritikalität

KW - Knappheit

KW - Umweltrelevanz

KW - Kritische Rohstoffe

KW - Strategische Rohstoffe

KW - OekoRess-Methodik

KW - Multikriterien-Bewertungssystem

KW - Raw Materials

KW - Eco-Design

KW - Criticality

KW - Scarcity

KW - Environmental Relevance

KW - Critical Raw Materials

KW - Strategic Raw Materials

KW - OekoRess Methodology

KW - Multi-Criteria Evaluation System

U2 - 10.34901/mul.pub.2024.233

DO - 10.34901/mul.pub.2024.233

M3 - Master's Thesis

ER -