industry and environment - DTIE

Chemicals management
Implementation of Design
for the Environment (DFE) in a
Mexican chemical group
Margarita Ferat, Environmental Control Divisional Manager, Grupo DESC SA de CV, Bosque de Ciruelos No. 29,
Col. Bosques de las Lomas, Deleg. Cuajimalpa, 05120 Mexico, DF, Mexico (margarita.ferat@desc.com.mx)
Summary
This article sums up a Mexican company’s experience with implementing the Design for the
Environment (DfE) concept in the research and development areas of its chemical sector. DfE
is a sustainable development strategy. It can be used to detect potential environmental risks
and to develop new products and processes. Once a DfE handbook had been produced, implementation
was carried out in several steps in a non-aggressive way. It was hoped that those
concerned would adopt DfE out of conviction rather than because they had to. Consequently,
there was a strong emphasis on education and identification of opportunities. In the project’s
final phase, two ongoing technological projects were chosen for study: one at the pilot stage
and the other at the commercial stage.
Résumé
L’article présente le cas d’une entreprise mexicaine qui a mis en œuvre le principe de conception
écologique (Design for the Environment ou DfE) dans les activités R&D de sa branche produits
chimiques. Le DfE est une stratégie de développement durable. Il peut être utilisé pour
détecter des risques potentiels pour l’environnement et pour développer de nouveaux produits
et procédés. Une fois le manuel de DfE réalisé, la mise en œuvre a été conduite en douceur en
plusieurs étapes. Le but était que les personnes concernées adoptent le DfE par conviction et
non par contrainte. L’accent a donc été mis sur l’éducation et l’identification des possibilités
d’application. Lors de l’étape finale, deux projets technologiques en cours ont été choisis
comme sujet d’étude : un au stade de l’essai pilote, l’autre au stade commercial.
Resumen
Este artículo presenta una síntesis de la experiencia de una empresa mexicana con la aplicación
del concepto “ecodiseño” en el área de investigación y desarrollo del sector químico. El
ecodiseño es una estrategia de desarrollo sostenible que puede ser empleada para detectar
riesgos ambientales potenciales y desarrollar productos y procesos nuevos. Tras la publicación
de un manual sobre ecodiseño, su aplicación se llevó a cabo gradualmente; se esperaba que
los interesados adoptaran el ecodiseño por convicción y no por obligación. Por ende, se enfatizó
con firmeza la importancia de la concienciación y la identificación de oportunidades.
Durante la etapa final del proyecto se seleccionaron dos proyectos tecnológicos en curso para
su análisis: uno de ellos en la etapa piloto y el otro en la etapa comercial.
Interest in the manufacture of products that are
friendly to the environment is growing. Traditionally,
products have been designed to meet
clients’ specifications. Today design is aimed not
only at satisfying functional specifications, but
also at reducing the toxicity of products and
processes by promoting recycling and generating
less waste (without compromising quality). This
concept is called “Design for the Environment”
(DfE) (Figure 1). Various other terms (e.g. “green
engineering design”) are used to suggest the same
idea. 1 Where DfE or similar initiatives have been
implemented, environmental technologies have
been part of competitive business strategies.
Chemical industry challenges
Worldwide, the chemical industry is involved in
the manufacture of most of the products we see
around us. Among the factors currently influencing
the industry’s development are globalization,
increasingly tough environmental performance
standards, greater demand for profitability and
productivity from financial markets, higher client
expectations, and changing labour force requirements.
In decision-making the industry takes account
of environmental demands and the opportunities
to satisfy these demands. Companies make great
efforts to comply with regulations, identify ecoefficiency
opportunities, implement relevant
administrative systems, optimize resources in their
supply chains, etc. (Figure 2). However, only
companies with vision focus on untapped markets,
process updating, technological innovation
(including changes in environmentally related
technologies) and development of sustainable
development strategies.
To meet today’s environmental challenges, the
chemical industry must address:
◆ appropriate supply chain management;
◆ more efficient use of raw materials, reuse and
recycling of materials, and energy generation and
use;
◆ the balance between environmental and economic
considerations;
◆ long-term investments in research and development;
◆ interrelationships and mutual collaboration
among industry, universities and government
with respect to research and development (balancing
resources and investments);
◆ product specialization.
Innovation (obtaining new knowledge which,
supported by research and development, leads to
new technologies) is therefore essential.
Mexico’s environmental priorities
Voluntary and non-voluntary environmental legislation
and regulations require the country’s
entire population to take part in maintaining a
healthy environment. The chemical industry has
to ensure that its operating framework includes
strategic planning aimed at improving Mexico’s
environment.
Some of Mexico’s environmental priorities are:
◆ soil protection;
◆ air quality;
◆ ocean pollution;
◆ afforestation;
◆ biosafety;
◆ water supply and treatment;
◆ emissions inventories;
◆ biodiversity;
◆ sustainability of fisheries.
In applying the DfE concept, DESC keeps
these priorities in view.
Environmental innovation in the
chemical sector of Grupo DESC
DESC SA de CV is one of Mexico’s major consortiums.
Its operations are focused on four sectors:
chemicals, automotive, food and real estate.
Chemical sector operations involve eight businesses
and 13 manufacturing plants. Products
include plastics, resins, laminated products, rubber
and carbon black.
UNEP Industry and Environment April – September 2004 ◆ 47