The life cycle assessment – more than just a figure

In the bioeconomy in particular, companies are often faced with the question of how to reliably assess the environmental impacts of new products, materials or processes. A life cycle assessment (LCA) can help to compare different options quantitatively and support decision-making in product development. However, an LCA does not simply provide a figure that speaks for itself. The conclusions that can be drawn from the results also depend on how the assessment was designed, what data it is based on, and what the results are intended to be used for. 

“LCA thrives on comparison,” explains Theresa Pscherer, a research assistant at Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences. A single figure for a product’s environmental impact is of only limited value. The assessment becomes particularly insightful when, for example, different product variants, materials, production processes or scenarios are compared with one another. In this way, an LCA can, amongst other things, help to improve production processes, use materials more efficiently or compare different approaches in terms of their environmental impacts. Furthermore, even when examining a single product or process, ‘hotspots’ can be identified throughout its life cycle or along the manufacturing process. 

Same method, similar results? 

When making comparisons, it is particularly important to consider how the life cycle assessment was carried out. Different software solutions, databases or methodological approaches can lead to different results. The chosen system boundaries and other methodological decisions also influence what is ultimately included in the assessment and how the results should be interpreted. 

That is why documentation also plays an important role for Theresa Pscherer. Individual decisions and the chosen approach should be recorded in a way that is transparent. Only in this way can it be assessed later how robust a result is and whether the methodological conditions for comparing two life cycle assessments are met. 

This is not just a question of what has been calculated, but also of how and for what purpose. For example, is the aim to compare one product variant with another at an early stage of development? Or are the results to be communicated externally and used for sustainability reporting? Depending on the specific application, different requirements may arise regarding the assessment and its documentation. 

If the data is still missing 

A particular challenge arises with new products and processes – and therefore especially within the bioeconomy. Suitable data is often not yet available for innovative processes. Theresa Pscherer distinguishes between primary data – which, for example, is collected or measured directly from the process under investigation – and secondary data from literature or databases, which provide average figures. If data is only available to a limited extent or is unavailable, this increases the uncertainty of the assessment and may limit the validity of the results. 

For new processes which, for example, are yet to be scaled up to industrial level, a so-called prospective LCA can be used. This involves modelling potential future developments – such as in terms of process scaling, energy supply or technical efficiency – using scenarios. In this way, potential future environmental impacts can be assessed as early as the initial stages of development. At the same time, Theresa Pscherer points out that such assessments are subject to greater uncertainties. 

The data available is therefore an important factor in the validity of an LCA – but not the only one. The question of just how detailed an assessment needs to be also depends on the specific objective. 

Not every LCA needs to be equally comprehensive 

For an initial assessment during an early stage of product development, a simplified screening LCA may, for example, be sufficient when the aim is initially to identify environmental hotspots or to compare different variants. If, on the other hand, results are communicated externally or used in the context of regulatory requirements, significantly higher demands may be placed on methodology, data quality, documentation and, where applicable, external verification. 

For businesses, this means that not every issue requires the same type of life cycle assessment. The key factor is, first and foremost, which decision the LCA is intended to support and what requirements this places on the methodology, data, scope and documentation. 

Guidance on complex issues 

This is precisely where TransBIB can offer valuable support. We provide a range of resources to help companies get started with and navigate life cycle assessment. The LCA Guide 1.0 sets out the basics of product life cycle assessment and provides a step-by-step guide through the various aspects of an LCA. The Guide 2.0 focuses on transparent reporting, using an example product calculation.  It also examines the requirements for the presentation and communication of results, for example in internal or external communication, as well as in comparative statements between products. 

In addition, other TransBIB resources help users to find their way around the field of standards and methodologies. These include, amongst others, the Venn diagram and the heatmap. The Venn diagram helps to categorise various LCA-relevant norms and standards according to their scope and field of application. The heatmap also shows the depth to which different standards and specifications address selected aspects – in particular the assessment of biogenic carbon. 
Further tools, platforms and learning resources are also available via the One-Stop-Shop.

A life cycle assessment is therefore more than just the result of a calculation. Particularly when it comes to products and processes in the bioeconomy, it is important to view the results in the right context: What question are we trying to answer? What data is available? What methodological decisions have been made? And what conclusions can actually be drawn from this? 

It is only when these points are considered together that a single figure becomes a sound basis for decision-making. 

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We would like to extend our warmest thanks to Theresa Pscherer for the interview. The questions were asked by Hannah Direktor / PIC – Pi Innovation Culture GmbH.