UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative

Brussels, 22 February 2010 – WorldAutoSteel announces today its participation in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Life Cycle Initiative, as a Gold Sponsor in partnership with the World Steel Association.  The Life Cycle Initiative was launched to respond to the call by governments around the world for a life cycle economy.   Through it’s participation with worldsteel and its involvement in the Life Cycle Initiative, WorldAutoSteel hopes to advance life cycle thinking with policymakers and customers around the globe. 

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New Steel Industry Guidelines to Help Car Makers Increase Fuel Efficiency and Safety, Reduce Carbon Emissions and Contain Costs

Brussels, 15 March 2009 – Just as the world’s auto industry is doubling efforts to reinvent itself, so too is its primary materials supplier in the form of new global guidelines for advanced high-strength steels. WorldAutoSteel, the automotive group of the World Steel Association, announced today the release of the newest version of the Advanced High-Strength Steel Application Guidelines (AHSS Application Guidelines), bringing together the world’s experience and knowledge on the use of the latest sheet steel technology. The Advanced High-Strength Steel Applications Guidelines (AHSS Application Guidelines) Version 4.0 is available free for download today right here at WorldAutoSteel.org.

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Greener, Lighter, Safer Steel Vehicles Can Be Achieved Through New Vehicle Noise, Vibration and Harshness Approach

Detroit, 22 April, 2009 – A study commissioned by WorldAutoSteel and presented today at the Society for Automotive Engineers 2009 World Congress shows automotive engineers a new approach to design for noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) called “Hybrid Interior Noise Synthesis (HINS).” The study illustrates how vehicle components can be optimized for NVH performance and weight by applying the new approach and lightweight steel solutions.

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Updated model evaluates the total vehicle life cycle impact of materials, powertrains, fuels and their sources, total energy consumed

Brussels, 4 August 2009 – WorldAutoSteel has released a 2nd iteration of the automotive materials parametric Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model, which allows for broader evaluations of automotive materials, powertrains, fuels and vehicle total energy consumed.  Automakers can now evaluate more comprehensively material selections decisions and their affect on green house gas emissions, with additional options for materials, emerging powertrains and fuel sources.  The Phase 2 model was developed under the leadership of Dr. Roland Geyer of the University of California’s Bren School for Environmental Science.

The LCA approach assists automakers in evaluating and reducing the total energy consumed and the lifetime GHG emissions of their products.

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Lighter, Stronger, Greener Steel Bodies to Help Automakers Increase Efficiency at Lower Cost

Summary:
•    Phase 1 technology and component evaluations complete, four technical specification options were considered – FSV-1 (battery electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) and FSV-2 (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and fuel cell electric vehicle)
•    Phase 2 vehicle concepts, to be completed in 2010, will provide optimized steel designs that meet or exceed future environmental, fuel economy, safety and weight standards

Brussels, 31 August 2009 – As worldwide demands for affordable, safe and high efficiency vehicles surge, the global steel industry’s WorldAutoSteel body is launching the Phase 2 of its Future Steel Vehicle programme (FSV) aimed at helping automakers optimize new propulsion technologies that will soon enter showrooms.

The FSV Programme recently completed Phase 1 of its research and today releases its findings and plans for Phase 2.

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ETA's Accelerated Concept to Product (ACP) process sample design interpretations for FSV

DETROIT, December 18, 2009 - The Accelerated Concept to Product (ACP) process, marketed by Engineering Technology Associates, Inc. (ETA) was the winner of the 2nd Annual Society of Automotive Engineers Detroit Section / Massachusetts Institute of Technology Enterprise Forum (MITEF) Vehicle Innovation Competition.

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To avoid unintended consequences, vehicle emissions should be evaluated using a life cycle assessment approach

Brussels, 15 February 2010 – WorldAutoSteel joins corporations from 17 countries and 20 industry sectors in a road test of a new global framework for green house gas emissions (GHG) measurement.  The road test is part of the GHG Protocol Initiative convened by the World Resource Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), whose mission is to develop internationally accepted GHG accounting and reporting standards and promote their use worldwide.  WorldAutoSteel announced today its participation in the road test for one of two new standards developed through the GHG Protocol Initiative: the Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard.  This standard provides guidance for the preparation of a GHG emissions inventory for a given product. 

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Inclusion of LCA Abstract Points to Broader Assessment of Environmental Performance in Auto Industry, According to Global Steel Trade Association

Copenhagen, 12th March 2009 – While tailpipe emissions are currently the de facto measurement for greenhouse gas emissions for autos, life cycle assessment is gaining legitimacy as a more comprehensive measurement of GHG emissions. The World Steel Association in partnership with its automotive branch, WorldAutoSteel, will present its latest findings on energy savings and CO2 emission reductions in steel on 10-12 March at the International Scientific Congress on Climate Change in Copenhagen, further backing their commitment to mitigate climate change effects.

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