Page 44 - Material Flows of the Home Appliance Industry

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The choice of materials used for production of home appliances has evolved over time. The two most significant trends are: an increasing amount of plastic, replacing steel, and mechanical controls replacing electronical controls. In addition there are major trends such as products becoming smarter, connected and in some cases multifunctional, which are increasingly setting the tendency for product design, material usage as well us developments in recycling technologies and processes.
With connected and smart appliances and new user interfaces there are more electronics and components such as displays and touch screens in the products.
Products are increasingly fitted with sensors and other technologies, including the use of small electronic components located away from a central printed circuit board, making certain materials more dispersed within a product.
Besides technical developments, other design requirements play a role, with significant implications also at the end-of-life phase.