Selection of technological processes for industrialization projects from the standpoint of clean technology

Sustainable development in the industrial countries predominantly will be based on how far one shall be successful in applying Low- or Non-Waste Technologies (LNWT), i.e., introducing clean technologies in all industrial branches. A precise way of evaluating technological processes, in order to develop and to introduce LNWT, theoretically would be by cost-benefit-analysis. In this connection not only technological and economic influences should be taken into consideration but also ecological and social aspects. The question of monetary evaluation of environmental impacts and similar effects, however, has not yet been solved at the international level. Therefore other ways must be found for evaluating technological processes. A special task force under Eastern German leadership developed such a method. The method developed may be used to compare several technological processes (at least two) for the production of a defined product, to evaluate the processes from the standpoint of sustainable development and clean technology, as well as to make a clear choice, which technological variant should be preferred because of its technological, economic, and ecological and social characteristics depending on national economic conditions, regional or local prerequisites, respectively. The method developed is based on selected characteristics, which are grouped to a minimum program, characterizing themore » technological process and--if necessary--the aimed main product from the standpoint of clean technology. The paper describes this method.« less