Scenario-Based Life Cycle Assessment of an Automotive Wire Harness

Funk F, Nguyen HG, Franke J (2025)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering Springer

Publisher: Springer

Series: Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering

City/Town: Cham

Pages Range: 232-240

Conference Proceedings Title: Sustainable Manufacturing as a Driver for Growth. Proceedings of the 19th Global Conference on Sustainable Manufacturing, December 4–6, 2023, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Event location: Buenos Aires AR

ISBN: 9783031774287

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-77429-4_26

Abstract

Wire harnesses are one of the the largest purchased part for many automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). They are highly complex assembly products, consisting of hundreds of wires, electrical connectors, electronic parts, and ancillary materials such as tape. Assembly still is a largely manual process, as the complexity of the wire handling and low level of standardization and digitization pose a challenge to automation efforts. Wire harnesses are expected to increase in complexity and size due to current developments in the automotive sector, namely electromobility, autonomous driving, and digitalization. As a result, the importance of these products to the overall environmental impact of vehicles is likely to increase, with copper playing a significant role. In this study, the environmental impacts of a rear door wire harness are quantified by performing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), considering the life cycle from cradle to gate and based on different supply chain scenarios. The impact of sourcing and transport is shown and potential for improvement is derived, especially with regard to reshoring and automation.

Authors with CRIS profile

Felix Funk Lehrstuhl für Fertigungsautomatisierung und Produktionssystematik (FAPS) Huong Giang Nguyen Lehrstuhl für Fertigungsautomatisierung und Produktionssystematik (FAPS) Jörg Franke Lehrstuhl für Fertigungsautomatisierung und Produktionssystematik (FAPS)

How to cite

APA:

Funk, F., Nguyen, H.G., & Franke, J. (2025). Scenario-Based Life Cycle Assessment of an Automotive Wire Harness. In Holger Kohl, Günther Seliger, Franz Dietrich, Sebastián Mur (Eds.), Sustainable Manufacturing as a Driver for Growth. Proceedings of the 19th Global Conference on Sustainable Manufacturing, December 4–6, 2023, Buenos Aires, Argentina (pp. 232-240). Buenos Aires, AR: Cham: Springer.

MLA:

Funk, Felix, Huong Giang Nguyen, and Jörg Franke. "Scenario-Based Life Cycle Assessment of an Automotive Wire Harness." Proceedings of the 19th Global Conference on Sustainable Manufacturing, GCSM 2023, Buenos Aires Ed. Holger Kohl, Günther Seliger, Franz Dietrich, Sebastián Mur, Cham: Springer, 2025. 232-240.

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