LCA Software for consumer goods
High-quality, cost-efficient life cycle assessments (LCAs) for reporting, sustainability strategy, or product optimization. We develop software to connect all parties and generate meaningful evaluations.
"I would definitely recommend makandra. The collaboration is characterized by a highly professional calm and highly professional work, very innovative, very agile, but always on schedule, always one step ahead and visually and technically inspiring for me."
Advantages of managing your life cycle assessments/ LCA with software
- Overview of ingredients and environmental impact
A platform provides a clear overview of your products, ingredients and their environmental impact. Through a clear presentation and detailed analysis, you can quickly and easily understand which ingredients are the main drivers of environmental impact. - Integration of various stakeholders and environmental databases
A platform can integrate multiple stakeholders and environmental databases to ensure a comprehensive, interconnected life cycle assessment. This enables seamless data collection throughout the value chain and access to up-to-date environmental data, improving the precision of life cycle assessments. - Intuitive and user-friendly handling
A user-friendly interface lets you add products easily and have them comprehensively analyzed. This enables a quick and efficient assessment of environmental impacts and supports targeted improvement measures. - Transparent evaluations for stakeholders and customers
Thanks to clear reports and visualizations, you can readily grasp the life cycle assessments, report to stakeholders, and present them to customers as proof of your sustainability efforts. - Maximum data security
On request, we can host your LCA application on our servers in Germany. We also develop and customize the application in line with the latest security standards. - Availability and support
We offer fast, personalized support for incident handling and feature requests. On request, we can also take care of the strategic development of your platform.
Comprehensive LCA software
Next steps
- First exchange (1 h)
In an initial meeting, we clarify your requirements and goals in life cycle assessment and provide direct feedback on our suitability as your partner and on expected costs.
- Workshop and offer (2-3 days)
In a workshop, we collaborate to define the platform requirements and possible uses for your company, then bundle them into a detailed proposal.
- Software development (2-3 months)
We develop your software tailored to your processes and requirements. We also integrate the software into all necessary third-party systems and set up dashboards and reports according to your requirements.
- Close monitoring and support
In the initial months after the go-live of your new LCA platform, we provide intensive support. We monitor for any stumbling blocks that need resolution and assist wherever needed.
FAQ
A life cycle assessment (LCA) is a systematic analysis of a product’s environmental impact throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction through disposal. The term “product” not only refers to the core item but also to all packaging, wear parts, energy, and services involved during its lifetime.
The definition of the term and the procedure are regulated in DIN EN ISO 14040/44. Accordingly, every preparation of a life cycle assessment follows a minimum 4-step process, which starts with the definition of the objective and scope of the analysis, followed by the collection of all key data, impact assessment and final evaluation.
There are many reasons to carry out a life cycle assessment. An LCA helps companies better understand and quantify the environmental impact of their products and processes. This may be necessary due to legal requirements or environmental standards. In addition, identifying and analyzing the environmental impact at each stage of the product life cycle also makes it possible to take targeted measures to reduce the environmental footprint. Sustainability measures and transparent LCAs are now demanded by many customers and stakeholders and provide competitive advantages in the market.
First, the objective and scope are defined, including system boundaries and the environmental impacts to be considered. In subsequent phases, the entire value chain is evaluated against environmental impact categories, including CO₂ emissions, soil acidification, photochemical smog, ozone depletion, land use, and water consumption. Then, the results are interpreted in the evaluation phase to identify measures for reducing environmental impact and improving the product’s sustainability.
There are various software solutions for LCAs, such as SimaPro, Sphera, Ecochain, GaBi, or Umberto. Each of these solutions has a different industry and product focus. Since LCA is difficult to standardize and varies greatly depending on the type of product or service and the scope of the analysis, there is no universal solution.
A key challenge in preparing a life cycle assessment is the collection and availability of accurate and comprehensive data along the entire supply chain. The integration of data from different suppliers and sub-suppliers as well as the harmonization of different data formats and sources can be complex and time-consuming. Early integration of all parties into a central platform can help mitigate this. Well-defined roles and permissions make it easy to regulate which actor can view which data. Other challenges include analyzing and interpreting the results and dealing with uncertainties in the data. A good software solution should address and solve all of these challenges.
The time required to complete an LCA depends on several factors, including product complexity, data availability, and the selected study scope. For simple products with well-documented processes, a life cycle assessment can be completed in a few days. More complex products, especially those with extensive supply chains or variable use phases, can take longer. Notably, the first products to be assessed will take longer to balance than similar subsequent ones.
The cost of an LCA varies depending on the scope and depth of the analysis. For a simple LCA of a single product with easily accessible data, costs may be relatively low. For more complex products that require extensive data collection and detailed analysis, costs can be much higher. That's where using a specialized software platform like ours becomes worthwhile, as processes are standardized and automated, drastically reducing personnel expenses.
