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report:sus [2026/04/22 19:44] – [Environmental] epsatisepreport:sus [2026/05/13 19:56] (current) – [Life Cycle Analysis] epsatisep
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 Throughout history, geo-resources have played a fundamental role in enabling technological progress and economic development by providing the raw materials required for infrastructure, products, and innovation. However, the increasing intensity of resource extraction and consumption has led to significant environmental degradation, including pollution, ecosystem disruption and growing resource scarcity. In the context of the accelerating climate crisis, there is an urgent and rising need to rethink how products are designed, produced, used and disposed of. Technological solutions, particularly those involving electronic components, contribute not only to societal benefits but also to lifecycle emissions and material demands, making sustainable engineering more important than ever.  Throughout history, geo-resources have played a fundamental role in enabling technological progress and economic development by providing the raw materials required for infrastructure, products, and innovation. However, the increasing intensity of resource extraction and consumption has led to significant environmental degradation, including pollution, ecosystem disruption and growing resource scarcity. In the context of the accelerating climate crisis, there is an urgent and rising need to rethink how products are designed, produced, used and disposed of. Technological solutions, particularly those involving electronic components, contribute not only to societal benefits but also to lifecycle emissions and material demands, making sustainable engineering more important than ever. 
  
-Sustainable engineering aims to address these challenges by balancing environmental protection with economic viability and social well-being. It is therefore grounded in the three pillars of sustainability: environmental responsibility, economic performance, and social equity. This idea is aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations <color #ed1c24>[cite reference]</color>, which provide a global framework for coordinated climate action. Addressing climate change requires not only large-scale systemic transformations but also many small improvements, innovative technologies, and incremental design decisions that collectively reduce environmental impacts and support more resilient consumption patterns.+Sustainable engineering aims to address these challenges by balancing environmental protection with economic viability and social well-being. It is therefore grounded in the three pillars of sustainability: environmental responsibility, economic performance, and social equity. This idea is aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations [(UN2026)], which provide a global framework for coordinated climate action. Addressing climate change requires not only large-scale systemic transformations but also many small improvements, innovative technologies, and incremental design decisions that collectively reduce environmental impacts and support more resilient consumption patterns.
  
-Within this broader context, technological innovations such as smart consumer products like TRAQUA can play a meaningful role. Consequently, this chapter examines sustainability from a general and holistic perspective in relation to TRAQUA. First, the relevant SDGs connected to the product are introduced. Subsequently, sustainability is analysed in detail from the environmental, economic, and social perspectives. Finally, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of TRAQUA is conducted to systematically evaluate its environmental impacts throughout the entire life cycle <color #ed1c24>[cite reference]</color>, thereby identifying potential hotspots and opportunities for improvement.+Within this broader context, technological innovations such as smart consumer products like TRAQUA can play a meaningful role. Consequently, this chapter examines sustainability from a general and holistic perspective in relation to TRAQUA. First, the relevant SDGs connected to the product are introduced. Subsequently, sustainability is analysed in detail from the environmental, economic, and social perspectives. Finally, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of TRAQUA is conducted to systematically evaluate its environmental impacts throughout the entire life cycle [(Laurent)], thereby identifying potential hotspots and opportunities for improvement.
  
 ==== UN Sustainable Development Goals ==== ==== UN Sustainable Development Goals ====
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 ==== Economical ==== ==== Economical ====
 +/*
 //The economic aspect of sustainability relates to the efficient and cost-effective utilization of resources, aiming to minimize environmental impact while ensuring long-term economic viability. The goal is to strike a balance between environmental responsibility and financial success by devising products, processes, and business models that are both ecologically and economically advantageous. //The economic aspect of sustainability relates to the efficient and cost-effective utilization of resources, aiming to minimize environmental impact while ensuring long-term economic viability. The goal is to strike a balance between environmental responsibility and financial success by devising products, processes, and business models that are both ecologically and economically advantageous.
 Thus, the sustainable economy focuses on the responsible management of economic, social, and environmental resources to support the well-being of current and future generations. Thus, the sustainable economy focuses on the responsible management of economic, social, and environmental resources to support the well-being of current and future generations.
 The goal of economic sustainability is to achieve economic growth without making the negative environmental trade-offs that traditionally occur. It also means that the price of the product matches the time the product fulfils its purpose.// The goal of economic sustainability is to achieve economic growth without making the negative environmental trade-offs that traditionally occur. It also means that the price of the product matches the time the product fulfils its purpose.//
 +*/
  
 Economic sustainability in the TRAQUA concept focuses on creating a balance between economic growth, long-term user value, and ecological benefits. The product is designed to deliver financial advantages to both consumers and producers while supporting more sustainable consumption patterns. Economic sustainability in the TRAQUA concept focuses on creating a balance between economic growth, long-term user value, and ecological benefits. The product is designed to deliver financial advantages to both consumers and producers while supporting more sustainable consumption patterns.
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 ==== Social ==== ==== Social ====
 +/*
 //Social sustainability is about identifying and managing business impacts, both positive and negative, on people. It refers to the ability of a project or initiative to foster positive and inclusive social interactions while considering the long-term effects on society. //Social sustainability is about identifying and managing business impacts, both positive and negative, on people. It refers to the ability of a project or initiative to foster positive and inclusive social interactions while considering the long-term effects on society.
 The social aspect of sustainability deals with the community, education, equality, justice, social resources, health, well-being, quality education and quality of life. The product TRAQUA meets those social aspects.// The social aspect of sustainability deals with the community, education, equality, justice, social resources, health, well-being, quality education and quality of life. The product TRAQUA meets those social aspects.//
 +*/
  
 Smart hydration solutions can improve everyday life by removing the need to regularly buy and carry single-use plastic bottles, allowing consumers to gain greater flexibility and independence in their daily routines. By relying confidently on tap water, users can hydrate wherever they are without planning purchases in advance or transporting heavy bottles. This supports more convenient, mobile lifestyles while reducing everyday stress related to access to safe drinking water. Smart hydration solutions can improve everyday life by removing the need to regularly buy and carry single-use plastic bottles, allowing consumers to gain greater flexibility and independence in their daily routines. By relying confidently on tap water, users can hydrate wherever they are without planning purchases in advance or transporting heavy bottles. This supports more convenient, mobile lifestyles while reducing everyday stress related to access to safe drinking water.
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 ==== Life Cycle Analysis ==== ==== Life Cycle Analysis ====
-//One crucial task is to assess how each stage of the life cycle contributes to the overall environmental impact. This analysis is typically aimed at prioritizing enhancements in products or processes and comparing various products for internal purposes.+Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a standardized, scientific methodology used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire lifespan. Often referred to as a "cradle-to-grave" analysis, it quantifies resource consumption and emissions at every stage.One crucial task is to assess how each stage of the life cycle contributes to the overall environmental impact. This analysis is typically aimed at prioritizing enhancements in products or processes and comparing various products for internal purposes.
 Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a method for evaluating the environmental impact of a service or product throughout its life cycle, from design to end-of-life management. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a method for evaluating the environmental impact of a service or product throughout its life cycle, from design to end-of-life management.
-LCA or life cycle assessment is an essential tool to support sustainable development decision-making, as well as to assess the potential environmental impacts of a product, material, process or activity.// +LCA or life cycle assessment is an essential tool to support sustainable development decision-making, as well as to assess the potential environmental impacts of a product, material, process or activity [(Laurent)].
  
-The following graphic illustrates the circular economy approach and the steps in an LCA in figure {{ref>fig:lca}}.+The following graphic illustrates the circular economy approach and the steps in an LCA in Figure {{ref>fig:lca}}.
  
 <WRAP centeralign> <WRAP centeralign>
 <figure fig:lca> <figure fig:lca>
-{{ :report:lca.png | LCA}} +{{ :report:lcapicture.png?800 |}} 
-<caption>Life cycle analysis.</caption>+<caption>Life cycle analysis</caption>
 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
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-The table {{ref>tab:Co2}} presents the CO₂-equivalent emissions of the product across the different life cycle stages. The values should be understood as approximate screening results, as detailed primary data for all components were not available. Therefore, the electronic components were aggregated based on their total mass. For these components, as well as for the battery, datasets from the openLCA Nexus [(openLCA2026)] were used. In general, average datasets for electronic components and material production from publicly available LCA databases were scaled according to component mass, which represents a common approach in early-stage life cycle assessments.+Table {{ref>tab:Co2}} presents the CO₂-equivalent emissions of the product across the different life cycle stages. The values should be understood as approximate screening results, as detailed primary data for all components were not available. Therefore, the electronic components were aggregated based on their total mass. For these components, as well as for the battery, datasets from the openLCA Nexus [(openLCA2026)] were used. In general, average datasets for electronic components and material production from publicly available LCA databases were scaled according to component mass, which represents a common approach in early-stage life cycle assessments.
  
 For the activated carbon filter, data from the EU Environmental Footprint Database provided by the European Commission Joint Research Centre were applied [(EUa2026)]. The values for the aluminium foil and the plastic bottle were taken from the German ÖKOBAUDAT database [(OkOBAUDAT2026)]. Furthermore, for the calculation of module C2 (transport), a transport distance of 1000 km by truck was assumed. For the activated carbon filter, data from the EU Environmental Footprint Database provided by the European Commission Joint Research Centre were applied [(EUa2026)]. The values for the aluminium foil and the plastic bottle were taken from the German ÖKOBAUDAT database [(OkOBAUDAT2026)]. Furthermore, for the calculation of module C2 (transport), a transport distance of 1000 km by truck was assumed.
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-Following the breakdown of CO₂ equivalents, we now turn our attention to energy. Here, too, energy consumption is broken down by LCA phase, with the sources corresponding to those of the CO₂ equivalents. No distinction is made between renewable and non-renewable energy, as this is not done in all of the databases used. The table {{ref>tab:energy}} shows the energy consumption.+Following the breakdown of CO₂ equivalents, we now turn our attention to energy. Here, too, energy consumption is broken down by LCA phase, with the sources corresponding to those of the CO₂ equivalents. No distinction is made between renewable and non-renewable energy, as this is not done in all of the databases used. Table {{ref>tab:energy}} shows the energy consumption.
  
 <WRAP centeralign> <WRAP centeralign>
 <table tab:energy> <table tab:energy>
-<caption>energy consumption</caption>+<caption>Energy consumption</caption>
 <WRAP box center> <WRAP box center>
 ^ Component / Material ^ A1-A3 Production [MJ] ^ C2 Transport [MJ]  ^ C3 Waste management [MJ]  ^ D Recycling potential [MJ]  ^ ^ Component / Material ^ A1-A3 Production [MJ] ^ C2 Transport [MJ]  ^ C3 Waste management [MJ]  ^ D Recycling potential [MJ]  ^
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