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Examples for resource efficiency | Strategies | Product-Service-System (use-phase)
Strategies
Redesign and
Re-use
Ressourceneffizienzatlas
Resource Efficiency Atlas
Product-Service-System
(use-phase)
New production and
consumption patterns
New business model to reduce use of chemicals
Chemical Leasing
Inclusion of RE into
Standards
Pay for services, not products. This concept aims at an efficient use of chemicals - a business
model, from which all involved parties can profit.
Application of the concept “Chemical Leasing” could lead
to decreased demand for chemicals through more efficient
use. The customer pays for the service, for example,
for each square meter of cleaned surface, and not for the
quantity of used chemicals. Aside from the chemicals, the
manufacturer sells the know-how for an efficient application
of the respective chemicals. Depending on the leasing
model the manufacturer can assume responsibility
for chemical safety (industrial safety, environmental protection).
In contrast to the classical business model the
turnover is not connected directly to the quantity of sold
chemicals – in fact, the company is interested in a more efficient
use of a respective chemical. This leads to reduced
production costs and, thus, to a reduction in total costs.
This again is beneficial for the customer.
Pilot projects, which started in 2005, are testing the new
concept in different fields of application; for example, in
the metal working sector, where chemicals are used for
cleaning, pickling, pouring, and cooling. Furthermore, it is
tested in other sectors such as the chemical synthesis (application:
catalysis), food industry (application: extraction,
water purification) as well as the trade sector (application:
cooling of goods/refrigeration). The projects were initiated
by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO) in co-operation with the Austrian Federal
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water
Management (BMLFUW). Apart from these projects in Austria,
other projects are carried out in developing countries
such as Mexico, Egypt, and Colombia.
Resource Efficiency
An analysis of the Austrian BMLFUW in 2002 showed that
53,000 tons of chemicals, including related emissions and
waste, could be saved in Austria each year if this model was
implemented in all suitable sectors. This corresponds to approximately
one third of all chemicals used in Austria each
year. According to the market analysis “Chemical Product
services into the European Union” (CPS), conducted by different
universities together with the Öko-Institute on behalf
of the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies,
a reduction of 5 to 30 percent of chemicals used each year
can be reached, if CPS is implemented; depending on the
type and application of the chemical.
Barriers and Risks
For implementation of the business model all involved
players (suppliers and customers) must assent to the new
concept. This, however, might represent a first obstacle. Additionally,
the accounting of the service causes problems
since the sales unit e.g. surface or number of cleaned items,
needs to be defined depending on the application. A risk