A consortium of producers, recyclers and researchers of flat screen TV's
engaged in a collaboration to set new standards in the development of a Cradle
to Cradle TV. Taking recycling aspects into account when developing the next
generation of flat screen TV's is not only eco-effective; it also strengthens
the market position of the participating partners.
The challenge
The shift from conventional (CRT) televisions to flatscreen televisions (FPD) brought new challenges to recycling as they differ significantly concerning the composition and materials used. On top of that, the LCD flatscreen televisions contain hazardous substances like mercury. A new and safe recycling technique has been required to maximise materials reusability from discarded end-of-life flatscreen televisions, aiming to close the materials loop in line with the Cradle to Cradle principles.
The approach
The “close the loop” process can only be accomplished by working through the entire value chain with the different actors, those bringing to the table the knowledge in their field of expertise.
As industrial partners: Philips, Van Gansewinkel, Umicore and Nitto Denko, each involved or active in a different phase of the product or material life cycle. Those have teamed up with two research institutions (VITO and KU Leuven) in a project called PRIME-project (Perfecting Research on Intelligent Material Exploitation). The project has been supported via the MIP2 programme of the Flemish Government.
The collaborative advantage
To optimise the recycling of end-of-life flatscreen televisions, the research institutions VITO and KU Leuven brought an overview of the best available recycling techniques, materials compatibility and assess the environmental impact. By bringing together the recyclers (Van Gansewinkel, Umicore) and the flatscreen televisions producer (Philips) the information about product composition and the current recycling efficiencies could be shared in order to improve the future flatscreen televisions design.
In order to “close the loop” the business model of the various stakeholders need to match as industrial symbioses only works if there is added value for every project partner along the value chain.
The added value of the designed flatscreen television will not capitalised once the television reachs its end-of-life phase by recovering and recycling high quality materials.
Some of the results
The shift from conventional (CRT) televisions to flatscreen televisions (FPD) brought new challenges to recycling as they differ significantly concerning the composition and materials used. On top of that, the LCD flatscreen televisions contain hazardous substances like mercury. A new and safe recycling technique has been required to maximise materials reusability from discarded end-of-life flatscreen televisions, aiming to close the materials loop in line with the Cradle to Cradle principles.
The approach
The “close the loop” process can only be accomplished by working through the entire value chain with the different actors, those bringing to the table the knowledge in their field of expertise.
As industrial partners: Philips, Van Gansewinkel, Umicore and Nitto Denko, each involved or active in a different phase of the product or material life cycle. Those have teamed up with two research institutions (VITO and KU Leuven) in a project called PRIME-project (Perfecting Research on Intelligent Material Exploitation). The project has been supported via the MIP2 programme of the Flemish Government.
The collaborative advantage
To optimise the recycling of end-of-life flatscreen televisions, the research institutions VITO and KU Leuven brought an overview of the best available recycling techniques, materials compatibility and assess the environmental impact. By bringing together the recyclers (Van Gansewinkel, Umicore) and the flatscreen televisions producer (Philips) the information about product composition and the current recycling efficiencies could be shared in order to improve the future flatscreen televisions design.
In order to “close the loop” the business model of the various stakeholders need to match as industrial symbioses only works if there is added value for every project partner along the value chain.
The added value of the designed flatscreen television will not capitalised once the television reachs its end-of-life phase by recovering and recycling high quality materials.
Some of the results
- Overview of the best recycling techniques and maximisation of material recovery by the end-of-life cycle having in mind a minimum environmental impact
- Desing guidelines on flatscreen television, based on the research conclusion on recyclability and material compatibility
- Closed loop of flame retardant containing plastics in the back covers of the new flatscreen televisions
- Overview of the different business model options regarding recover, re-use and recycling
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