Positive life cycle assessment

May 2011Benecke-Kaliko is the first foil manufacturer anywhere in the world to test the environmental compatibility of its interior materials.

Benecke-Kaliko is the first foil manufacturer in the world to commission an ecological balance sheet for its interior materials, checking their environmental compatibility – from the first time ground is broken during raw material harvesting, via production and use, through to disposal. It precisely assesses the entire life cycle. Benecke-Kaliko compared its new interior material for vehicle seats and door moldings, Acella® Eco Natural, which contains up to 50 percent renewable raw materials, with the standard trim material.

The entire life cycle of TEPEO®, an ultra-light foam laminate that gives an elegant finish to door trims and instrument panels, was also compared to a standard PVC foil. The detailed assessments resulted in clear findings: Compared to the standard trim material, Acella® Eco Natural had a 15 percent better CO2 balance. The especially lightweight TEPEO® sheeting scored 48 percent better than the standard sheeting in terms of CO2 emissions. This makes these materials an attractive alternative to conventional trim materials for manufacturers of electric cars and other particularly sustainable vehicles.