Life Cycle Analysis
What is a life cycle analysis?
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an internationally recognized methodology that allows for the identification, quantification, and evaluation of the environmental impacts associated with a product throughout its life cycle.
This assessment considers the inputs and outputs of materials and energy involved in each stage of the product’s life cycle—from the extraction of raw materials through manufacturing, transportation, use, and final disposal—according to the scope defined for the study.
Through a data-driven approach, LCA helps identify where the greatest environmental impacts occur within a value chain, detect opportunities to reduce energy, material, and resource consumption, and improve the environmental performance of products and processes.
In addition to the benefits mentioned, the results of a Life Cycle Assessment can serve as technical input for various environmental programs, initiatives, and requirements, such as:
- Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
- Decarbonization and carbon footprint reduction strategies.
- Eco-design programs.
- ESG and corporate sustainability reports.
- Sustainable supply chain assessments.
- Environmental requirements of domestic and international customers.
- Circular economy and recycled content initiatives.
Scopes of an LCA
Depending on the project’s objectives, the analysis can be conducted within different system boundaries, which correspond to the boundaries defined around a product’s life cycle and determine which processes, stages, inputs, and outputs will be included or excluded from the study, depending on the established objectives.
Our studies are elaborated based on the internationally recognized norms for Life Cycle Analysis development
Methodology
Our studies are conducted in accordance with the international standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 for Life Cycle Assessment, following a structured methodology that ensures the traceability and consistency of the results.
The fundamental parameters of the study are established, including:
- Objective of the analysis.
- Functional unit.
- System boundaries.
- Methodological assumptions.
- Impact categories to be evaluated.
- Specific client requirements.
As part of this stage, the information required for the project is defined, and, when applicable, a site visit is conducted to precisely identify the inputs and outputs of the production process, as well as any specific conditions relevant to the analysis.
The data necessary to quantify the inputs and outputs of the system under study are collected, including information related to:
- Raw materials and inputs.
- Electricity and fuel consumption.
- Water consumption.
- Waste generation and management.
- Byproducts or co-products.
- Transportation and logistics.
- Storage processes.
- Packaging materials.
Whenever possible, priority is given to the use of primary data provided by the client. When information gaps exist, the analyses are supplemented using databases and internationally recognized secondary sources.
Using the information gathered, a Life Cycle Inventory is developed, which identifies and quantifies the flows of materials, energy, waste, and emissions associated with each process included within the defined system boundaries.
This stage forms the technical foundation of the study and enables the construction of an environmental model of the product under evaluation.
Inventory data is converted into environmental indicators using recognized impact assessment methodologies.
This stage makes it possible to quantify the contribution of each process, activity, or material to the various impact categories considered in the study, identifying environmental hotspots throughout the life cycle.
The inventory data is converted into environmental indicators using recognized impact assessment methodologies.
Finally, a technical report is prepared that documents the methodology used, the information sources considered, the results obtained, and the conclusions drawn from the analysis.
The report includes an interpretation of relevant findings, the identification of opportunities for improvement, and recommendations to support the client’s decision-making.
