This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Alcoa's Worldwide Life Cycle Information Initiative
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Important opportunities exist to improve the resource and environmental impacts of the automobile over its product life cycle. The use of aluminum in automobile designs is increasing, which offers ways to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during vehicle use via light weighting. However, to fully capture lifecycle reductions in environmental loadings and impacts, material suppliers, parts manufacturers and automakers must also understand which of their own operations and facilities offer opportunities for environmental improvements through investments in process or technology advances.
Quantifying these opportunities across the comprehensive life cycle of vehicle systems and components can be a challenging task because of the complexity of today's extended supply chain.
For instance, even quantifying opportunities from the front end-aluminum material supply-requires gathering, verifying and acting upon information from facilities throughout the world. For instance:
- bauxite mining in Australia, Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean,
- smelting of aluminum metal in North America, Europe, the Middle East and South America, and
- aluminum parts fabrication and assembly in North America, Asia, Europe and throughout the world.
This paper highlights how the Aluminum Company of America is developing a new company-wide, worldwide information system to address this challenge. The aim of this worldwide information initiative is to identify environmentally significant opportunities in aluminum processing, product design, and recycling as more aluminum is incorporated into cars of the future.
Recommended Content
Technical Paper | Accuracy of Total Hydrocarbon Analyzer Measurements Measurements in the SULEV Region |
Technical Paper | Design for 6 Sigma Application in Engine System Integration |
Authors
Citation
Martchek, K., Fisher, E., and Klocko, D., "Alcoa's Worldwide Life Cycle Information Initiative," SAE Technical Paper 982177, 1998, https://doi.org/10.4271/982177.Also In
References
- “Environmental Impact Calculations of Automotive Parts by Life Cycle Analysis - The BMW Approach” Franz H. Metz N. Neumann U. SAE paper #951843 SAE International Total Life Cycle Conference Vienna October 1995
- “Life Cycle Inventories - New Experiences to Save Environmental Loads and Costs Schuckert M. Beddies H. Gediga J. Florin H. Eyerer P. SAE paper # 971171 SAE Total Life Cycle Conference Chrysler Technical Center, Auburn Hills April 1997
- Life Cycle Energy Savings Potential from Aluminum-Intensive Vehicles” Stodolsky F. Vyas A. Cuena R. Gaines L. SAE paper # 951837 SAE International Total Life Cycle Conference Vienna October 1995
- “The Total Environmental Potential of Aluminum in Automobiles” Martchek K. Fisher E. Schultz R. SAE paper # 951834 SAE International Total Life Cycle Conference Vienna October 1995
- “Aluminum in the Automobile - Life Cycle Considerations” Alcoa Automotive Structures 1995-1996
- “Life Cycle Assessment - Principles and Framework” International Organization for Standardization Summer 1997
- Fortune Magazine March 30 1998 158