Understanding Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in Product Development

In today's world, sustainability is more important than ever. One of the most effective tools for measuring and improving the environmental impact of products is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This comprehensive methodology evaluates the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle. 

What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a scientific approach used to quantify the environmental footprint of a product from its creation to disposal. It’s a cradle to grave approach. This includes every stage of the product's life, from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and distribution, to its use and end-of-life disposal. The goal of LCA is to identify and evaluate environmental impacts such as carbon emissions, water consumption, energy use, and resource depletion. 

When calculating the LCA of a product you need to gather detailed information on all inputs (materials and energy) and outputs (emissions and waste) associated with each stage of the product’s life cycle. Then this data is evaluated to understand it’s environmental impact. Below is a visual of the different stages in a product’s life.  

TePe’s LCA shows the most critical factors in reducing our Carbon footprint: materials, energy, transport, and waste management.  

Here are ways TePe is contributing to a better future:

• Renewable materials: We are now manufacturing most of our plastic using ISCC certified material through a mass balance approach instead of fossil fuel crude oil, lowing our carbon footprint.
• Renewable/Recycled Packaging: We have improved packaging, aiming to reach 100% recycle, renewable, or FSC certified packaging materials in 2025.
• Renewable Energy: TePe also uses 100% renewable energy within production. For example, Initiatives include upgrading our manufacturing equipment and cooling systems and making our building more energy efficient, utilizing as much heat as possible from production.   

Life Cycle Assessment is a vital tool for understanding and improving the environmental impact of products. As you would expect from our Scandinavian heritage, we take our impact on the environment very seriously and only launch new products when they meet the stringent high-quality standards.