A comprehensive industry data library for LCA
This industry data LCA library contains data as collected by industry associations. Currently it contains processes from PlasticsEurope, worldsteel and ERASM (European Detergents and Surfactants Industries)
PlasticsEurope
PlasticsEurope promotes the use of Life Cycle Thinking to improve the understanding of product benefits and to enable more informed decisions to be made when considering concepts such as the circular economy.
The database contains roughly 85 system-level datasets from PlasticsEurope including high volume, bulk polymers, some of the more widely used engineering plastics and several common plastics conversion processes.
More information about the data can be found in the individual eco-profiles on the website of PlasticsEurope.
worldsteel
worldsteel has defined and run the four data collection projects: the original study was carried out in 1995 and subsequently updated in 1999/2000 and then in 2010. The most recent update was released in 2017 and currently includes 46 datasets. The output of the worldsteel LCI study is in the first instance a set of cradle-to-steel factory gate LCI data for steel products.
Both worldwide and regional averages (currently Europe, Asia and Latin America) are available, provided that a minimum of three sites contributed data for that product. In addition, an LCI for steel scrap is available – this can be used to account for steel scrap used in the production process and to enable the calculation of cradle to gate data including the end of life of the steel from the product is also available.
ERASM
This data includes 32 lifecycle inventories for unit processes, covering 15 surfactants, including 17 precursors, achieved by means of approximately 70 data collections. This data is an update to a previous project conducted in 1995 and compared to the previous exercise in 1995, land use change was also added as an additional category.
Detergents are one of the main categories where PCFs and PEFs are being piloted (e.g. A.I.S.E. is participating in the EU Commission’s PEF pilot project with liquid laundry detergents). New PCF/PEF standards explicitly require recent and good quality data. This project was therefore initiated by ERASM to evaluate the quality of existing data and improve the dataset available.
Why using the SimaPro industry data library?
- Comprehensive library
- Work with specific industry data
- Quality and accurate data
- Built on by experts working in the industry field
- Access to more than 300 datasets from specific industry sectors
- Documentation and support available
Working with the industry LCA data library
These three industry databases contain data of each specific industry, which is also relevant to many other sectors downstream. Data is at the system level, meaning that only the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) is available rather than unit processes. In addition to the documentation included in SimaPro, reports for each dataset describing more details about the dataset can be found on the specific websites. The industry data library is integrated in SimaPro, which gives you easy access to data collected published by industry associations themselves.
Data library content
With over 300 datasets from the industries of plastics, surfactants, detergents and steel.
The following databases are included in SimaPro: default allocation (system and unit), recycled content allocation (system and unit) and consequential (system and unit).
About PlasticsEurope
PlasticsEurope is one of the leading European trade associations with centres in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan and Paris. We are networking with European and national plastics associations and have more than 100 member companies, producing over 90% of all polymers across the EU28 member states plus Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. The European plastics industry makes a significant contribution to the welfare in Europe by enabling innovation, creating quality of life to citizens and facilitating resource efficiency and climate protection. More than 1.5 million people are working in approximately 60,000 companies (mainly small and medium sized companies in the converting sector) to create a turnover above 340 bn EUR per year. The plastics industry includes polymer producers – represented by PlasticsEurope, converters – represented by EuPC – and machine manufacturers – represented by EUROMA.
About worldsteel
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is a non-profit organisation with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. worldsteel represents over 160 steel producers (including 9 of the world’s 10 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members represent around 85% of world steel production.
About ERASM
ERASM research addresses key concerns with regard to the environment and human health, technical issues and gaps in scientific knowledge that may affect the application and use of surfactants in detergents and cleaning products. This is done by undertaking joint research projects with academia and recognised research institutes to assess possible risks, research scientific tools and solutions and propose risk management solutions for the industry. The activity of ERASM is restricted to surfactants and related substances, including related precursors and degradation / biotransformation products.
ERASM research spans the value chain of surfactants, from raw material sourcing, to the use phase, wastewater treatment, including biodegradation, as well as freshwater and marine exposure. Through its work, the industry aims to contribute directly to the advancement of science with an effective, coordinated and proactive approach, while remaining both innovative and sustainable in bringing essential new products to market. ERASM research is jointly funded by member companies of A.I.S.E. (detergents and maintenance products industry) and CESIO (surfactants industry).
