EU Lead Producers undertake Life Cycle Analysis Study

Work has commenced on the preparation of an up-to-date Life Cycle Assessment for the production of primary and secondary lead in the European Union.

Current data is being gathered from producers within the EU27 to replace that which already exists but is woefully out of date, thus paying little attention to the amount of recycled lead used throughout the EU. Once completed, the study will be incorporated into the database used within the European Commission’s Life Cycle Platform. This presents the production profile of major commodity products and is the official database for Life Cycle Analysis within the EU.

The importance to progressive businesses and public authorities worldwide, of factoring in resource consumption and environmental impacts associated with supply, use, and end of life products when specifying raw materials, is growing significantly.

Dr David Wilson, Director of the International Lead Association which represents leading producers globally said: “Designers working in key industries of importance to the lead industry, such as the automotive sector and particularly those concerned with developmental work on advanced lead acid batteries for a new generation of hybrid vehicles, will routinely refer to the EU database.

“This makes it an imperative for the international lead industry to provide up-to-date information which takes account of the tremendous improvements in production technology and environmental management that have been implemented since such data was last gathered over ten years ago.”

“In addition the data will provide valuable information to the industry itself, providing a benchmark for producers to identify process refinements to improve efficiency.”

So far companies have provided process flow detail which is being used to design life cycle models to characterise primary and secondary lead production. From this, a matrix will be produced to make it easy for companies to submit their data. The study is expected to be concluded and validated by mid 2010.

The contract to undertake the work has been let to specialist consultants PE International and is being managed by ILZRO (the International Lead Zinc Research Organization).

For further information contact Dianne Nott Tel: +44 (0)1925 267557
Mobile: +44 (0)7860 272754 E-Mail: dianne@stratia.co.uk