III - Economic Context : “Value for money - environmental cost/ benefit ratio”

The evaluation of the environmental cost/benefit ratio requires a global approach which will be addressed in a technological-economic analysis. The switchover to lead-free is a critical issue for all electronic industry contracting/contractor partners (designers, printed circuit makers, component producers, assemblers, end-users) which should provide new cost effective lead-free solutions capable of meeting requirements of forthcoming calls for tenders. It’s expected that the lead free technology leads to an increase of 10-15% power supply. In matter of recycling, the European legislation will give industrial groups responsible for the return of electric and electronic products at the end of the life and for the waste of electric and electronic equipments. The recycling will induce an extra cost which will be totally or partially transferred to the product price. The main environmental benefit is obviously the drastic reduction of leaded, cadnium-based, chromium-based,... wastes (air, water, packaging...etc.) in all electronic sectors. It’s about several thousands of tons. The new lead-free “green” product introduction can also be used as a marketing driving force. The implementation of competitive and time to market lead-free techniques and logistics through dissemination activities will undoubtedly make possible new business opportunities which can be expected during and after the implementation of the AMELIE project.

IV - Partners :

The AMELIE consortium brings together the key players in the civil and military aeronautics and plastic processing sectors. This project brings together complementary large groups and SMEs having top skills in the whole electronic supply chain (components engineering, design, assembly, test...etc.) for the implementation of advanced electronic systems. They all have a strong willingness to succeed in and to spread out the knowledge. The lead free issue is an unique chance to build up new supply chain relationship between large groups and SME.