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Eco-efficiency is critical for organisations that seek to be both environmentally conscious and profitable. It helps to "produce more out of less" to avoid wasting natural resources and to reduce emissions and damage to the environment. The textile coating and laminating industry, utilising solvent or water-based polymeric mixtures, is one of the industries coming under extreme environmental pressure to replace traditional procedures and use eco-efficient coating agents. In this study, eco-efficiency analysis was used to compare the eco-effectiveness of two different coating agents, polyacrylate and polyurethane, each in organic solution as well as aqueous dispersion forms. The "ecological fingerprint" and eco-efficiency portfolio were graphically illustrated for these coating agents based on the customer benefit, defined as coating one square meter of a textile fabric in a conventional laminating unit. According to the analysis results, polyacrylate dispersion in water was the most eco-efficient coating agent whilst polyurethane resin dissolved in organic solvent was found as the coating agent with the least acceptability as an eco-efficient product.

Purpose -Aims to demonstrate how BASF's eco-efficiency can be used for sustainable decision making at all levels, from industrial to consumer. Design/methodology/approach -Three case studies are described as examples of the potential applications of eco-efficiency both within industry and extensively in the consumer sector. Findings -The first case study describes its use for dyeing facilities in Morocco, the second demonstrates how the most eco-efficient product transport modes can be selected, and the third shows how eco-efficiency can help the consumer decide whether to purchase a new household appliance. Originality/value -Eco-efficiency can support sustainable decision making not only within the company, but also industry-wide and beyond.

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