Konsequenzen der modernen Germaniumchemie

Roewer, Gerhard

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-39704-2_16

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Details on the polymerization process are given, for example, by Roewer (2014) or Pang and colleagues (2006). Antimony and titanium are alternative catalysts in PET manufacturing, and antimony accounts for the majority of the market.…”

Section: Polymerization Catalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Just as it is the case for indium and gallium, germanium is only recovered from a share of the potential sources. In the use phase, that is, in the production of bottle-grade PET, the catalyst material dissipates completely into the PET and is not recovered (Roewer 2014;Landesanstalt für Umwelt 2012;Oakdene Hollins 2011;Hassan 2001Hassan , 2003. Thus, a complete dissipation into other material flows can be observed in the use phase of polymerization catalysts.…”

Section: Polymerization Catalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Uncovering the Fate of Critical Metals: Tracking Dissipative Losses along the Product Life Cycle

Zimmermann

2016

J of Industrial Ecology

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Summary An increasing number of elements from the periodic table are being used in a growing number of products, enabling new material and product functionalities. Materials of high importance and high supply risks are usually referred to as critical materials. Many materials that are often considered critical are used in ways leading to their dissipative loss along the product life cycle. So far, the issue of material dissipation has been dealt with mainly on a rather aggregated level. Detailed knowledge on the occurrence and amount of dissipative losses in the life cycle of specific products is only scarcely available. Addressing this, a substance flow analysis of different critical metals along the life cycle of selected products is presented in this article. With regard to products used in Germany, the flows of indium and gallium used in copper‐indium‐gallium‐selenide (CIGS) photovoltaic cells, germanium used in polymerization catalysts, and yttrium used in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) have been analyzed. The results comprise detailed knowledge about the life cycle stages in which dissipative losses occur and about the receiving media. In all case studies, a complete or almost complete dissipative loss can be observed, mainly to landfills and other material flows. In all case studies, material production can be identified as hotspots for dissipative losses. In two case studies fabrication and manufacturing (F&M for CIGS and TBCs) and in one case study end of life (polymerization catalysts) can be identified as further hotspots for dissipative losses. In addition, actions for reducing dissipation along the life cycle are discussed, targeting aspects such as the recovery of critical metals as by‐products, efficiency in F&M processes, and lack of recycling processes. Lack of economic incentives to apply more‐efficient technologies and processes already available is a key aspect in this regard.

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Section: Polymerization Catalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Polymerization Catalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%