Eco-costs are calculated for cradle-to-gate, as well as gate-togate
and cradle-to grave systems. In this study, only cradle-togate
calculations have been made, since the use phase and the
end-of-life phase are not part of the scope of the study (reference is
made to ISO 14044). The processes for the production of cork base
materials are given in Figs. 1e3. For each process block in these
figures, inputs (auxiliary materials, and energy) and outputs
(emissions) have been taken into account. Transport is included as
well. Some details on the LCIs which have been used are provided in
Annex 1, as well as the allocation system which is applied, to
facilitate readers who want to make their own calculations.
The Eco-costs/Value Ratio (EVR) is developed to analyse the
required delinking on a product level: it is a single indicator for
sustainability. The basic idea is to link the ‘value chain’ of Porter to
the ecological product chain. A product has 3 dimensions in this
model: the costs, the eco-costs and the (customer perceived) value,
see Fig. 6