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| Implementation of LCA in the Development Stage of New Technology |
As part of its LCA (Life Cycle Assessment),
Toyota quantitatively analyzes the emission volume of substances that
cause global warming (CO2) and air pollutants (NOx, SOx, PM, and NMHC*),
as well as the volume of non-renewable resources used over the total
product life (from manufacturing to disposal). Toyota actively carries
out LCA in the development stage of new technology. In FY2002, Toyota
evaluated bioplastics and fuel cell hybrid vehicles, etc. and utilized
the results from these evaluations for verifying environment-enhancing
effects, identifying areas requiring improvements, and evaluating
technologies for making those improvements.
*NMHC: Non-Methane Hydrocarbons |
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| LCA of Bioplastics |
Toyota
Eco-Plastic (bioplastic) is a plastic made from renewable plant
materials. Because plants absorb CO2 through photosynthesis
during their growth cycles, this plastic is a carbon neutral
material, which means it does not alter the CO2 concentration
in the atmosphere even when it emits CO2 during incineration
following disposal.
Toyota carried out LCA on the spare tire cover for the new
Raum, which is made of the new bioplastic. The result showed
that the CO2 emissions volume over the entire life cycle is
reduced by as much as 90% over conventional petroleum-based
plastics.
 See
details on the new Raum |
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•LCA Results (CO2 Emissions Volume)
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| More Complete Life Cycle Environmental Information |
 In
FY2002, Toyota carried out LCA on four mass-produced models (ist,
WiLL CYPHA, Caldina and Harrier) and disclosed the results in product
catalogs. Furthermore, ahead of the introduction of the new Prius
in Japan, which was already unveiled at the New York International
Auto Show, Toyota has published the "Prius Green Report," summarizing
this model's LCA data in an easy-to-read format, to help as many people
as possible understand lifecycle environmental information.
This report can be viewed online at: http://speed.ideasync.com/tenji/pdf/pgr_e.pdf |
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