Significance of intermediate production processes in life cycle assessment of electronic products assessed using a generic compact model

In this paper a generic model for life cycle inventory (LCI) data collection is presented and applied to a product system of a Digital System Telephone (DST). It is shown that the intermediate unit processes (IUPs) are of global warming importance. Compared to earlier efforts in the field of environmental life cycle assessment of electronic products, this model enables a more partitioned LCA result, with respect to both components and processes. In our model the components are first divided into main groups and then into sub-groups. This division results in process modules for unit processes, some of which are similar to the ongoing components, thus, reducing the computational effort. The model is demonstrated for a “cradle-to-gate” calculation focusing on greenhouse gas emissions. Using scenario analysis for integrated circuits and printed wiring boards, the possible contribution from IUPs was analysed.