There is very little technological competitive edge left in volume manufacturing. Factories in low wage areas no longer lag in technology.

However we are set for a new revolution in manufacturing, where the driving forces will not be those of simple financial bottom line measurements. We will have to incorporate social and environmental performance into the measures of the success of manufacturing industry - the triple bottom line. Current notions of recycling are just stop-gap - we must develop profitable manufacturing methods that do not require expensive and inefficient processes.

This will require a redirection of our economies to enable everyone to meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life while ensuring that the natural resources on which they depend are maintained and enhanced. New collaborations stretching along the whole length of the supply chain from the farmers through to manufacturers and endusers must be brokered."

Professor Sir Kumar Bhattacharyya gave this address at the first day of the Environmentally Friendly European Composites conference and workshop which explored the future development and use of environmentally friendly composite materials in manufacturing and related industries.

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