LCA is an internationally recognised, science-based methodology that assesses potential environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material sourcing, production, distribution and use, to end-of-life disposal, recycling or reuse.
We make LCAs for:
- companies' existing products;
- newly developed products;
- construction products;
- comparison of existing and new products.
The accuracy of an LCA is directly related to the quality of the input data. Careful adherence to the methodology determines not only the quality of the data but also its objectivity. The assessment is made using the Umberto LCA+ tool.
Umberto LCA+ is one of the leading LCA software solutions and is recommended by experts for users in industry, consulting, research and education. This solution is compliant with ISO 14040 and 14044, and with EN15804 in the case of construction products or services. EcoInvent v3.8, or the latest available database at the time of assessment, is used.
System scope
System scopes 1–3 i.e. data within available systems are applied.
Scope 1, 2 and 3 are the categories used to classify different sources of greenhouse gas emissions associated with company's operations.
- Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the company, such as on-site fuel combustion, transport and chemical manufacturing.
- Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions resulting from the consumption of purchased energy such as electricity, heat and steam.
- Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions that result from company’s activities outside its operational boundaries. This may include emissions from suppliers, the production of purchased materials and goods, and the use and disposal of the company's products.
System boundaries: A1–A3, A4–A5, and B1–B7, C1–C4 and D. Logical system boundaries are defined based on the product.
The LCA focuses on the cradle-to-grave period, or A1 to D if the LCA is performed for a construction product according to the SIST EN 15804:2012+A2:2019 standard.
LCA time frame:
The time frame for carrying out a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis is largely influenced by various factors. These key influences include the complexity of the product itself, the scope and demand of production processes, the number of involved suppliers, and the existing process diagrams within the company. Collectively, the more complex and extensive these elements are, the longer the expected time frame for conducting the LCA analysis could be.
How does the LCA process work?
Step 1 of LCA:
Defining the objectives and scope of the LCA
- Determining the desired calculated target data
- Establishing system boundaries
- Determining which data can be credibly captured
- Determining cut-off criteria
Step 2 of LCA:
Data inventory and capture
- Categorisation and grouping of processes
- Process modelling with software
- Data collection
Step 3 of LCA:
Calculations according to the methodology
- CO2 emissions calculation for each process
- CO2 emissions calculation for each system boundary
Step 4 of LCA:
Comparative LCA
- Benchmarking against your own or a competitor's product
- Comparison of CO2 emissions for processes without and with measures
Step 5 of LCA:
Results and report
- Preparation of results and report
- Presentation to the client
LCA results:
- The obtained results help us identify environmental hot spots and determine the units that represent reasonable basis for improvements.
- A comparative LCA analysis allows us to optimise mass and energy balances by using alternative or recycled materials, optimising logistics outside or inside the business process, and integrating circular economy and climate change mitigation measures.
- The LCA forms the basis for obtaining the environmental product declaration (EPD).
- LCA is recommended, or even required by some auditors for ISO 14001.
Our services:
- LCA for a single product or group of products.
- Assistance in defining sustainability actions to improve your environmental footprint.
- Preparing a comparative LCA that already takes into account sustainability measures.
- Measuring improvements in carbon footprint and other environmental indicators.
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