Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a systematic, data-driven methodology used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle – a vital tool for organizations committed to sustainability and circular economy that supports strategic decision-making.
A “quick LCA” for early concepts that lack sufficient data
Evaluates environmental impacts from raw material extraction (“cradle”) up to the point a product leaves the factory “gate”
Full-scope analysis that evaluates the environmental impacts from material extraction to end-of-life (“grave”)
Circular approach that evaluates the impact of keeping components or materials in use via e.g., re- or upcycling and reuse
We support companies with everything from screenings – useful during early product development – to full, comprehensive LCAs. Working closely, we guide them through the entire process: selecting relevant products, defining a realistic scope, collecting the right data, conducting the analysis, and translating the results into practical actions that make the best use of the findings.
All assessments follow ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards and can be prepared for third-party critical review – mandatory for external communication and EPDs. We also support companies throughout the entire critical review process, ensuring the study meets all requirements until the review is successfully completed.
Where to start? Selecting the right product is key. Together with companies, we map their product portfolio and focus on products with high sales volumes, significant resource use, or strategic importance. This ensures that the LCA focuses on a product(s) where improvements will create the greatest environmental benefit for the company.
LCA is a valuable tool for quantifying the impacts of various product design or system scenarios, comparing alternatives, and guiding producers toward options that align with their environmental goals and strategy.
LCA results can also support transparent communication with the public and help influence customer decision-making. At Stena Circular Consulting, we combine deep material expertise, hands-on recycling experience, and circularity know‑how with LCA insights to help companies create environmental and business value.
Our work goes beyond delivering LCA results – we help companies interpret the findings in relation to their strategic goals and identify opportunities in product design, supply‑chain improvements, and circular business models.
By leveraging primary recycling data and insights from Stena Recycling (e.g., actual material recovery rates and recycling process efficiencies), we model recycling scenarios with greater precision, enabling more realistic end-of-life modelling than what generic databases can provide.
We assist companies in identifying solutions for reducing environmental impact that align with technical feasibility in manufacturing and operations, as well as economic viability within procurement processes.
Contact our life cycle assessment consultant experts to get a LCA tailored and optimized for your goal and purpose.
A life cycle assessment (LCA) is a method used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle. The assessment identifies where environmental impacts occur and provides a basis for reducing emissions, resource use, and other environmental effects.
A life cycle assessment (LCA) according to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 includes goal and scope definition, data collection, environmental impact assessment, and interpretation of results. The standards set requirements for transparency, data quality, methodological choices, and documentation to ensure credible and comparable results.
A life cycle assessment (LCA) helps companies identify which materials, components, and processes account for the greatest environmental impact. The results are used to prioritise improvements in product design, material choices, energy use, logistics, and circular strategies.
A robust life cycle assessment (LCA) should follow the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. For public environmental claims, independent third-party review may also be required. Stena Circular Consulting supports the full process - from conducting the LCA to managing third-party reviews and expert panels - so that the results are credible and ready for external communication.
Recycling and end-of-life are usually modelled using scenarios for material recycling, energy recovery, or waste management. Stena Circular Consulting can use knowledge and primary data from Stena Recycling’s operational recycling activities to create more realistic cradle-to-grave assessments and improve the quality of the results.
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is based on data from a life cycle assessment (LCA). The LCA is used to calculate the product’s environmental impact, while the EPD presents the results in a standardised and verifiable format for customers, procurement, and market communication.
A life cycle assessment (LCA) provides a structured understanding of a product’s environmental performance and related data. The information can be used as a basis for requirements related to environmental performance, circularity, product information, and sustainable product development within the framework of ESPR.
Life cycle assessments (LCAs) are used to develop Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), climate data, and sustainability documentation for construction products and building materials. EPDs are based on product-specific Construction Product Regulation (CPR) and play an important role when the CPR requires digital product information and transparency.
Data from a life cycle assessment (LCA) can provide information on a product’s environmental impact, carbon footprint, and resource use. This type of information can be used in a Digital Product Passport (DPP) to increase transparency and support informed decisions throughout the value chain.
Stena Circular Consulting combines expertise in life cycle assessment (LCA) with circular product design, recycling, material flows, and regulatory product requirements. This makes it possible to translate assessment results into concrete improvements in product development, recyclability, material choices, and circular business models.
