The project Integration of environment and economy in product development gives opportunity for innovations (IMP) has intended to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the manufacturing industry through a pro-active risk management considering environmental and sustainability aspects, by developing methodologies for calculating the economic value of reduced environmental impacts from products, early in the product development phase.

The project activities have included: strengthening of the scientific basis regarding economic values; contribution to an ISO standard; and testing of methodologies in case studies and dissemination.

The case studies, carried out at AkzoNobel, SCA and Volvo Group, have shown different ways in applying a monetary value on environmental impacts, and in particular how these can assist decision-makers in their choice of for example materials. Different scenarios can provide useful input into this process.

The project has been coordinated by Swedish Life Cycle Center. Maria Lindblad, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, has been the project leader.