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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a scientific method that evaluates the environmental impacts of a product or service, covering all processes from raw material extraction to production, use and disposal. LCA analyzes factors such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste generation throughout a product's entire life cycle.

 

This analysis is usually carried out according to the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards and consists of four main stages:

 

  1. Determining the goal and scope: The product or process to be analyzed is defined.

  2. Inventory analysis: Resources used and environmental outputs (waste, emissions, etc.) are calculated.

  3. Evaluation of impacts: Environmental impacts are measured in the light of the data collected.

  4. Interpretation of results: Improvement opportunities in terms of sustainability are identified.

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LCA guides businesses in reducing their environmental impact, improving resource efficiency, and developing sustainable designs. It also plays a crucial role in compliance with international regulations such as the European Green Deal and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Companies can use LCA results to achieve sustainability goals such as developing eco-friendly products, reducing their carbon footprint, and implementing circular economy strategies.

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Software and Calculation Methods Used for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

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The software and calculation methods used for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) greatly facilitate data collection, modeling, and result analysis processes. Here are the most commonly used LCA programs and calculation methods:

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📌 LCA Softwares

  1. SimaPro – It is one of the most commonly used LCA software. It has a comprehensive database and performs analyses in compliance with ISO 14040/44 standards.

  2. GaBi – It is a powerful LCA tool developed for industrial and academic use. It offers comprehensive features for product life cycle modeling and optimization.

  3. OpenLCA – It is an open-source and free LCA software. It is a cost-effective option for small and medium-sized enterprises.

  4. Umberto – It is a software used for material flow analysis and LCA. It is used to assess the sustainability of production processes.

  5. Ecochain – It is a cloud-based software, primarily used for carbon footprint management.​

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📊 LCA Calculation Methods

The following methodologies are commonly used in LCA calculations:

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  • Attributional LCA (A-LCA): Calculates the environmental impacts of a specific product or process based on existing data and estimates.

  • Consequential LCA (C-LCA): Analyzes the long-term environmental impacts of a specific change on the supply chain.

  • Hybrid LCA: Combines both process-based and Environmental Input-Output LCA (EIO-LCA) methods for a more comprehensive assessment.

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📚 Databases Used

Reliable databases are used in LCA calculations:

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  • Ecoinvent – One of the most widely used global LCA databases.

  • GaBi Database – Contains comprehensive industrial data.

  • US LCI Database – Provides process data specific to the United States.

  • ELCD (European Reference Life Cycle Database) – An LCA database provided by the European Union.

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With these programs and calculation methods, companies can thoroughly analyze the environmental impacts of their products, develop strategies to reduce their carbon and water footprints, and establish sustainable business models. 🌱♻️

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For more detailed information, please contact us..!

📊 LCA Hesaplama Yöntemleri

LCA hesaplamalarında genellikle aşağıdaki metodolojiler kullanılır:

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  • Attributional LCA (A-LCA): Belirli bir ürün veya sürecin çevresel etkilerini mevcut veri ve tahminlere dayanarak hesaplar.

  • Consequential LCA (C-LCA): Belirli bir değişikliğin tedarik zinciri üzerindeki uzun vadeli çevresel etkilerini analiz eder.

  • Hybrid LCA: Hem süreç bazlı hem de çevresel girdi-çıktı analizi (EIO-LCA) yöntemlerini birleştirerek daha kapsamlı değerlendirme yapar.

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📚 Kullanılan Veri Tabanları

LCA hesaplamalarında güvenilir veri tabanları kullanılır:

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  • Ecoinvent – En yaygın kullanılan küresel LCA veri tabanlarından biridir.

  • GaBi Database – Geniş kapsamlı sanayi verisi içerir.

  • US LCI Database – ABD merkezli süreç verileri sunar.

  • ELCD (European Reference Life Cycle Database) – Avrupa Birliği tarafından sağlanan LCA veri tabanıdır.

Bu programlar ve hesaplama yöntemleri sayesinde şirketler, ürünlerinin çevresel etkilerini detaylı bir şekilde analiz edebilir, karbon ve su ayak izini azaltmaya yönelik stratejiler geliştirebilir ve sürdürülebilir iş modelleri oluşturabilirler. 🌱♻️

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Daha detaylı bilgi için lütfen bizimle iletişime geçiniz..!

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