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Factor T

Eco-efficiency and the factor

Eco-efficiency is an indicator used to make economic growth consistent with environmental protection as we aim for a sustainable society.

This indicator, which uses value for the numerator and environmental impact for the denominator, enables a comprehensive evaluation of eco-efficiency because it becomes larger the more a product reduces its environmental impact and provides greater value.

The Factor indicates how many times larger eco-efficiency is as compared to a certain standard, and when eco-efficiency is evaluated, it can be divided into two parts: the product value factor and the environmental impact reduction factor.

Concept of eco-efficiency in the Toshiba Group

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Factor T

The Toshiba Group’s initiatives are characterized by the following three types of integration.

1. Product value: Its integration is achieved with weight assigned to several functions through QFD.
2. Environmental impact: It is integrated as the amount of environmental damage through the use of LIME.
3. The eco-efficiency of the business process and a product’s eco-efficiency are integrated.

At Toshiba Group, all activities undertaken to create environmentally conscious products (ECPs) based on the factor calculation described above are collectively referred to as “Factor T” with the T standing for “Toshiba,” so as to further promote the creation of more ECPs.

Process prior to the calculation of the Factor

By plotting the Factor for each product in a graph with the value factor as its x-axis and the environmental impact reduction factor as its y-axis, we can determine which of “value improvement” or “environmental impact reduction” affects the Factor for the product more strongly based on the gradient of the line.

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Calculating the value of products

To obtain the value factor of a product, the value of a product is calculated based on the functions and performance of the product, using the quality function deployment (QFD) technique. The QFD is the method via which real customer requirements are determined based on actual opinions obtained from customers, a matrix table in connection with design specifications (Engineering Metrics) is prepared, and the strength and weaknesses are determined in order to derive important Engineering Metrics from the same. It has been firmly established as methodology to enhance customer satisfaction in the product development of Toshiba Group. By applying this QFD method and comparing the performance of the benchmark product with that of a product subject to assessment, non-dimensional numeric values are determined depending on important quality characteristics so that the numeric values can be integrated as a product value indicator (value factor).

QFD matrix table

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The table indicates excerpts from a case example of an air-conditioner and figures shown in the table are different from the actual values.

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Calculating the impact of products on the environment

The “Easy-LCA” is mainly used to calculate the environmental impact in a product’s life cycle. It incorporates an environmental impact database based on the Input-Output Tables serving as the source of statistics of inter-industry shipment value in Japan. This is a simplified evaluation tool for life cycle assessment (LCA) developed by Toshiba in 1996, which is able to calculate 30 types of environmental loads (inventory) in the life cycle. By comprehensively evaluating the environmental impact using the LIME method* and determining the impact of the benchmark product and products subject to assessment on the environment, the environmental impact reduction factor can be calculated.

*

The LIME method is one of the most prominent environmental assessment methods in Japan, which was developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. LIME2, its revised version, was announced publicly in FY2008.

Simplified evaluation tool for LCA: Easy-LCA

• Commercially available in October 1997
• Provided with a database based on the inter-industry relation table
  • The latest inter-industry relations table 2000 in Japan is used.
  • The environmental impact per unit in about 400 sectors is presumed.
  • According to the amount in value on a pro-rata basis, the sectors can be subdivided into about 4,000 sectors.
• Adoption of the hybrid method
  • Based on buildup analysis, the overseas environmental impact can be presumed and added.
• Thirty types of environmental impact inventories can be calculated.

Category		Item
Consumption	Fuels	Crude oil (fuel), coal, and natural gas
	Material	Crude oil (material), iron, copper, aluminum, lead, zinc, manganese, nickel, chromium, gravel, crushed stone, limestone, and timber
Emission	Atmospheric air	CO2, SOx, NOx, PM, HFC, HFC23, PFC, and SF6
	Water quality	BOD, COD, SS, Total-N, and Total-P
Energy (heat quality)

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Life cycle impact assessment method based on endpoint modeling (LIME)

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Activities for the Standardization of Eco-efficiency and Factors

Together with eight electric-appliance makers, we are working on standardizing activities performed for eco-efficiency and factors in the industry. In 2006, five electric-appliance makers, including Toshiba, established standardization guidelines for four types of household electric appliances, and engaged in public relation activities at a common booth for eight electric appliance makers in the Eco-Products 2007 exhibition. We will encourage industry-wide cooperation, primarily by expanding the scope of target products and international standardization activity.