Comprehensive examination of automotive product impact. A look ahead in light of sustainable development challenges: the Magneti Marelli S.p.a business case.

Abstract

Sustainable development imperatives drive industrial selection in the field of product development. Indeed, automotive productiveness plays a key-role in the worldwide trend for the transition towards a more environmentally friendly, economically affordable and socially sustainable balance. In the last few years automotive industry has been rapidly changed due to the increasingly concerned about resource depletion and GHG emissions generation. In this framework, actions addressed to reduce automotive impact has increased. To meet environmental improvement expectation a new design mind-set formula is necessary to integrate environmental attribution to component characteristic: the life cycle thinking approach. In this way, the selection of design for environment strategy is based on a balance between technological, manufacturing and sustainability aspect without shifting environmental consequences beyond company area. Magneti Marelli© Spa as a part of automotive sector has started to be committed on sustainability programs in order to reduce the impact caused by its product on the environment. The Company adopted a methodology, modeled on proposals made by scientific institutes, for the creation of its own system, devoted to obtain results, which could be measurable, understandable and implementable to their strategic plan. The well-recognized Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment methodology, was used and adapted to the company’s context for R&D applications and purposes. This effort was accomplished with the collaboration of company members at different levels (R&D, purchase, logistics, innovation) and with the stakeholders’ collaboration (suppliers of materials and semi-products, EoL management companies and vehicle users) and resulted in over fourteen projects which introduced a wide array of innovative materials, processes and technological applications. The outcome of these projects have enriched the company’s knowledge and have become the basis for more conscious and strategic choices for achieving goals relating to a reduction in product impact, thus helping to protect the planet while guaranteeing company development and progress