Research and Markets: Product Life Cycle Innovation: Interface, Inc. Case Study 2010 is the Second in a Series on Green Product Innovation

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b12560/product_life_cycle) has announced the addition of AltaTerra Research's new report "Product Life Cycle Innovation: Interface, Inc. Case Study" to their offering.

“Green Innovation: The Growing Role of Life Cycle Analysis in Shaping Product Strategy”

When you purchase this product you will receive: the presentation slides in PDF format and online access to a recording of the live event. Information for accessing the recording is included on the first and last page of the presentation slides.

Overview

As stakeholders demand transparency and credibility in environmental matters, companies are challenged with how to create and market products that are truly green. Leading organizations are using life cycle analysis (LCA) methodologies to identify environmental hotspots in company operations, and assess environmental performance in products. Through mitigation of hotspot risks, LCA results are helping to drive innovation in current and new product lines. This analysis also adds transparency and credibility to third-party verified environmental product declarations (EPDs).

Interface launched the worlds first climate neutral carpet, and was first in the industry to release EPDs. In this Online Executive Conference: sustainable business professionals from this iconic company present how and why LCA is used to help inform business and product development decisions. In addition, they describe LCA methodology, example analyses, and why they created environmental product declarations (EPDs). For Interface, LCA methodology has been an essential ingredient in green product innovation, and related market education and communication.

This conference is the second in an AltaTerra Research series on green product innovation. In July, "Green Innovation: The Growing Role of Life Cycle Analysis in Shaping Product Strategy" focused on the use of LCA methods in the solar industry.

Speakers

In this online conference, Jaclyn Pitera of AltaTerra Research provides a high-level overview of life cycle analysis (LCA) and environmental product declaration (EPD) concepts and methods. Melissa Vernon, Director of Sustainable Strategy at InterfaceFLOR, describes her experience with how LCA is used to support decision making in a business context, and for EPDs in the marketplace. Connie Hensler, Director of Corporate LCA Programs at Interface, Inc., presents the technical side of LCA at Interface, describing basic methodology and walking through specific examples. The session is introduced and moderated by Don Bray, President of AltaTerra Research.

Key Topics

Effective strategies for developing, identifying, and marketing green products (e.g. sustainable design guidelines, LCA, eco-labels, EPDs)
How life cycle analysis (LCA) is used in a large, product design and manufacturing company
Use of LCA to identify environmental impacts of operations as well as products
Costs and benefits of using LCA and environmental product declarations (EPDs)
Results LCA can produce to inform business decisions
Use of life cycle thinking for creating innovations in existing products or developing new ones
Prioritization of products for LCA
Prioritization of environmental impact results from LCA
Relationship between product LCA, eco-labels, and EPDs
Leading product LCA methodology
Outside resources and software tools that are helpful in conducting an effective LCA

A Sampling of Questions Answered

What is done to assure that the final product or installation is not compromised by using recycled materials or new methods?
Is there an average cost of third party verification and who conducts this?
Are you able to show increased business for the products that you have done EPD?
Where is the LCA group within Interface - R&D? How does the LCA group interact with the other departments like Marketing and Operations?
Is an LCA done on every R&D project?

Who will Benefit from this Presentation

Corporate Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Professionals
R&D, Design Engineering, and Product Marketing Executives and Managers
Marketing Communications and PR Professionals
Environmental/Regulatory Affairs Managers
Procurement and Purchasing Directors
Clean Technology Industry Professionals

About the Presenters

Jaclyn Pitera is a Senior Analyst at AltaTerra Research. Ms. Pitera has advised firms in developing their sustainability strategy and implementation plans, particularly regarding carbon footprint mitigation, energy efficiency, green building, sustainable material sourcing, employee behavior change, and marketing and communications, generating for client firms documented cost savings, competitive differentiation and risk mitigation. She has also advised start-up companies in the green building and energy efficiency industries, providing strategy development, industry and market analysis and product life cycle analysis. Prior to AltaTerra Ms. Pitera was a sustainable business consultant for Williams-Sonoma, Business for Social Responsibility, H&M, Cummins, and JBG, a real estate developer in the Washington D.C. area. Ms. Pitera holds an MBA, a Masters of Science in Sustainable Systems and Bachelors of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan.

Melissa Vernon is the Director of Sustainable Strategy for InterfaceFLOR. She supports sales efforts as a Sustainability Expert and researches trends and opportunities in the green product market. She works closely with technical, marketing, and sales to develop strategies, programs, and tools for Account Executives, enabling them to educate their customers. As a liaison between several InterfaceFLOR departments, she ensures that Interface customers receive a more holistic approach in creating commercial interior environments to meet the needs of client, community, and environment. She oversees the companys image, messaging, and presence at key environmental conferences. As a member of the Construction Specifications Institutes GreenFormat Team, Melissa is developing a common reporting format and database for collecting and evaluating sustainable product information. Melissa is a LEED Accredited Professional. Melissa is a graduate of the University of Michigan's Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, with an MBA from the Business School and a Masters in Science from the School of Natural Resources & Environment. She has a Bachelors degree in Marine Biology from Duke University.

Connie Hensler is Director of Corporate Life Cycle Assessment Programs for Interface, Inc. Hensler joined Interface in 1993 as Technical Director at one of Interfaces manufacturing plants and progressed through Director of Manufacturing there and into corporate research and development. As Director of Sustainable Research she directed development of new chemistries and process modifications to transition the company to more sustainable products and processes. Currently, as Director of Corporate Life Cycle Assessment Programs, she manages the use of LCA at Interface towards the companys ultimate goal of sustainability. She holds multiple U.S. and international patents related to her work. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Applied and Environmental Microbiology from Georgia State University and is a certified Life Cycle Assessment Professional (LCACP).

Don Bray is co-founder and president of AltaTerra Research. He has led a broad range of market research and consulting engagements in corporate sustainability, green IT, carbon management, and renewable energy systems. He is a frequent author, speaker, and discussion moderator on emerging solutions for energy efficiency and corporate sustainability. Prior to AltaTerra, Don served as a managing partner for Accenture. He continues to be actively involved in energy and environment related initiatives with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Don earned a masters degree in engineering management from Stanford University, and a bachelors degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of California at Davis.

Key Topics Covered: