Life cycle analysis
Select market
Share this page on

Erik Fiedler
Project Manager PM/Process
+46(0)73 966 73 44
Contact me

Cay Åsberg
Team Manager Energy, Engineering & Digital Services
+46 (0)704 210 611
Contact me

Life cycle analysis (LCA).

As the urgency of reducing GHG emissions increases, it becomes increasingly important to be able to provide climate- and environmental performance data for products. Through a life cycle analysis, a holistic perspective can be applied to calculate a product’s environmental impact – from material extraction to the end of the product life cycle. In this way, complex data can be easily overviewed, as energy, resource use and emissions are mapped.

A life cycle analysis can be developed with the aim of including environmental aspects in the product development, as well as providing information regarding circularity in the value chain. It can also be implemented to present transparent data on a product’s environmental performance through an EPD, Environmental Product Declaration.

This is a verified third-party document where the calculations have been produced in accordance with ISO 14025, ISO 14040. Data can also be used by customers in climate declarations and climate reporting and enables a more objective comparison of environmental performance of products. The framework on how to perform an EPD is governed by product category rules that regulate the calculations for each product category. Thus, the EPD system is adapted for several different industries and is used globally.

The work process to implement a Life Cycle Analysis and to develop an EPD are carried out in three steps:

Primarily depends on how the result of a LCA will be used. In this step, system boundaries are also set. In the case when an EPD is being developed, the choices are made based on specific product category rules that are published within an EPD program.

Done by data collection from producers, databases and trade associations. A flow diagram is also created to map materials and energy use in the different phases of the life cycle.

In this step, the environmental impact of different categories is calculated. A contribution analysis and appropriate sensitivity analyses can provide more information to identify areas with opportunities for an increased environmental performance. The EPD is then completed together with a supporting background report.

In cases where the EPD is going to be published within an EPD program, a third-party review is performed via the program operator where we assist with counseling throughout the entire review process.

Life Cycle Analysis best practice

A challenge in the sustainability transition is to move from environmental analysis and calculations to effective solutions that lead to reduced environmental impact. Semcon’s competences in sustainability combined with excellence within product design, production development, project management and UX, can translate the analysis into action. In this way, sustainable development is achieved alongside competitive advantages and mitigation of risk.

A detailed LCA together with an eco-design perspective can provide decision support and guidance on issues such as:

  • Which processes and parts of the value chain account for the largest impact for several environmental impact categories?
  • How material selection and design affect environmental performance in both the manufacturing, user phase and final phase?
  • What opportunities are there to optimize manufacturing from an environmental perspective and at the same time reduce material and energy losses?
  • How can the product be designed to minimize environmental impact in both the user phase and the final phase and at the same time increase circularity?
  • What are the limitations from a system perspective?

Answering these questions requires expertise in LCA, eco-design, product design, production development and energy efficiency.

Want to know more about LCA? Get in touch.

Erik Fiedler
Project Manager PM/Process
+46(0)73 966 73 44
Contact me

Cay Åsberg
Team Manager Energy, Engineering & Digital Services
+46 (0)704 210 611
Contact me

Related material to Life Cycle Analysis

Get in touch with this guy