Exitflex was at the prototyping stage of a new product, and was keen to ensure that no opportunities for reducing environmental impact had been overlooked.

To identify these opportunities, the project team first assessed the environmental impact of the new spray nozzle over its entire production cycle. This analysis made it possible to identify the main sources of impact and to envisage alternative scenarios in terms of materials, production methods, distribution and packaging. Potential benefits in terms of impact were estimated, providing a sound basis for informed decisions. For example, it was shown that the product would emit 57% less kgCO2e if the plastic used (PA 6.6) was from a recycled source. Furthermore, nozzle packaging could reduce its carbon impact by 55% by using a small silicone protector instead of PET and cardboard packaging. These options still need to be assessed in terms of feasibility, notably in collaboration with suppliers and customers. However, these results have significantly motivated the teams to carry out further analyses.

This project has also had significant indirect effects, such as reinforcing Exitflex's knowledge of the impact of their products, training teams in eco-design and life-cycle analysis approaches, and providing communication support for customers and suppliers in their efforts to reduce the impact of their products.