Electronic manufacturers see benefits of eco-friendly practices

In a bid to establish their green credentials, electronic manufacturers have been showing a keen focus on developing and implementing green manufacturing techniques, without compromising business needs and development opportunities. Companies have taken huge strides toward a greener future by changing their designs to streamline processes and increase the reusability and recycling rate of the products.

They have also started following clean delivery strategies to encourage minimal waste creation, which increases the efficiency of the supply chain and thereby, lowers resource utilization.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.technicalinsights.frost.com/), Trends in Green Manufacturing for Electronics, finds that electronic companies have adopted a number of best practices such as lean manufacturing and green practices as part of their corporate policy.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure for this study, please send an e-mail to Sarah Saatzer, corporate communications, at sarah.saatzer@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company Web site, city, state and country.

"The most pronounced changes that are pushing electronics manufacturing into green practices include lead-free electronics, halogen-free flame retardants, environmentally-friendly electronics, and the trend towards integrating electronic functions both on and within printed circuit boards (PCBs)," notes Technical Insights research analyst Menaka S.

Although the incorporation of green practices within the electronics manufacturing industry may be challenging, its long-term benefits are substantial, as it not only reduces the company's carbon footprints, but also helps them cut costs through lowered energy consumption and improved process control. These advantages, coupled with improved energy efficiency, can boost customer satisfaction and the overall brand image.

The electronics industry is further motivated to adopt green practices by the establishment of government standards and regulations and the need to gain acceptance by the environment-conscious consumers.

"Visibly, a company adopting green manufacturing will have a superior corporate image in the marketplace," notes Menaka. "There are also the auxiliary benefits of working with green suppliers, which can pave the way for extending green practices along the entire stretch of the value chain."

Green practices could get a bigger boost if consumers were aware of the extent of environmental damage caused by a particular electronic device. There is a need to set guidelines or a standard, which can help consumers understand the electronic jargon widely used to notify electronic products.

"There is a constant requirement for an industry-wide standard that could encompass all the energy and natural resources along the entire value chain of production," observes Menaka. "In short, without appropriate knowledge relating to the kind of resources used and the amount of energy consumed by each of the components, it becomes difficult to make improvisations in the product performance."

Creating a standard for performing lifecycle analysis will help manufacturers as well as stakeholders design toxics, shift toxic burdens, chart carbon footprint analysis, and many more. Therefore, it is increasingly important for manufacturers to communicate with recyclers and invent newer separation and recycling techniques that aid viable recycling.

Trends in Green Manufacturing for Electronics, a part of the Technical Insights subscription, provides an insight into key technical areas such as green manufacturing technology, its purpose, as well as technology features and benefits. It also offers a comparative analysis of green electronics manufacturing techniques, technology adoption factors, and growth analysis. Further, this research service includes detailed technology analysis and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that produces a variety of technical news alerts, newsletters and research services.