Energy and CO<inf>2</inf> flow networks of the electronics industry sector in South Korea

Abstract

The electronics industry is a dynamic sector in which the manufacturing process undergoes continual innovation. With the lifecycle of some products measured in months rather than years, new equipment, chemicals and processes are being introduced to the manufacturing and development fabricators on an ongoing basis, as are new product designs, which are themselves platforms for changing software and service packages. Although the global electronics industry is increasingly being influenced by events in the Far East and in particular China, the European and American electronics industries continue to account for significant production and consumption. Also, increasing social and regulatory pressures such as the EU Waste Electronics and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) take back requirements and restriction of hazardous substances (“RoHS”) policies are driving changes in reverse logistics systems, product design, and manufacture [1].