Metrics-Based Sustainability Evaluation of Manufacturing Technologies: Surface Coating Case Study

Sustainability evaluation of manufacturing technologies is a vital part of decision process in sustainable manufacturing, particularly for decisions on transfer/adoption of new sustainable manufacturing innovations. This paper highlights a study on metrics-based sustainability evaluation of technologies in manufacturing, with emphasis on the technical, economical and environmental sustainability assessments. On the basis of three types of sustainability evaluation metrics proposed in this paper, our study integrates technology assessment, cost analysis and environmental evaluation to support decision-making for selection of sustainable manufacturing processes. Case studies about sol-gel coating and powder coating are explored in the paper to test the proposed sustainability evaluation methods and metrics. The assessment results provide quantitative justifications used in technology transfer of the new sol-gel coating innovations. The results also help potential technology adopters to reduce their implementation risks of the sol-gel coating process in automotive decorative applications.