Potential Ecodesign Directive Contributions to Resource-Efficient Innovations. A Case Study on the Electric Motor Product Group Expansion and Rare Earth Element Use in Permanent Magnet Motors

This study looks at potential contributions of the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC to eco-innovations addressing resource efficiency improvements of energy-related products. This aim is secondary to the prime objective of the Directive, the increase in energy efficiency of energy-related products. By conducting ten in-depth interviews, the study investigates whether and in what form the Directive, which is to address 31 product groups, can contribute to innovations, potentially with resource efficiency improvements, referred to as eco-innovations. The analysis reveals the success of the Directive in cutting off the worst performing products from the market, highlights the Energy label as a stronger driver for innovation and discusses the current limitations of the Directive regarding the implementation of resource efficiency objectives. Recognizing that many issues are product-specific, the study is narrowed down to focus on electric motors, which account for high energy consumption in industry and demonstrate significant ecodesign improvement potential. The extension of the Directive electric motor group to possibly comprise permanent magnet motors is related to whether it could foster innovations capable of achieving resource efficiency improvements of rare earth elements. These materials, classified as critical in the EU, are able to achieve high energy densities in permanent magnets and can contribute to developing motors with higher energy efficiency classes. The case study uses a selection of innovation drivers integrated in Geels’ (2002) multi-level perspective for technological transitions to evaluate their influence on permanent magnet motor developments. Perceptions of permanent magnet motor manufacturer participants of the first preparatory study meeting are gathered through questionnaires for this purpose and interviews with material experts complement the case study. With regulatory standards being one of the most relevant innovation drivers, and the option to request design for recycling, the potential of the Directive to contribute to rare earth element resource efficiency improvements is indicated