Defining the eco-efficiency of rubber glove products manufactured from concentrated latex in Thailand

Abstract

© 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog The aim of this research was to define the performance of rubber glove products manufactured from concentrated latex using eco-efficiency. Data were collected from two concentrated latex and two rubber glove industries between 2009 and 2011 for the case study to define the eco-efficiency by comparing product values and environmental impact indicators. Eco-efficiency trends of rubber glove products manufactured using concentrated latex production were analyzed using a snapshot graph. The results indicated that the highest and lowest eco-efficiency values of rubber glove products manufactured from concentrated latex were waste production and energy consumption, respectively. Eco-efficiency trends of rubber glove products manufactured from concentrated latex pertaining to material consumption, energy consumption, chemical consumption, and waste production were observed as being half eco-efficient. In addition, the hotspot of high environmental burden of rubber glove products manufactured from concentrated latex was found to be in the process of manufacture. The definition of eco-efficiency values and trends for rubber glove products manufactured from concentrated latex mentions that energy and chemical consumptions cause dominant environmental problems. Therefore, the master approach to eco-efficiency enhancement of rubber glove products manufactured from concentrated latex developed with the four case study industries were as follows: (1) the load factor use of electricity per month, (2) increasing measurements of reduction in energy efficiency in the office concerning concentrated latex process, and (3) the installation of the production line using latex glove processes. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 802–808, 2015.