Databases
An LCA is only as valid as the data it uses. To effectively build and analyze LCA models, transparent, high quality and widely accepted inventory data is required for the most commonly used materials and processes.
Transparent data
SimaPro includes databases with a broad international scope, including the well known international ecoinvent database, and a library with 17 impact assessment methods. All datasets are harmonised regarding structure, nomenclature and fit well with the impact assessment methods.
- Databases included in SimaPro
ecoinvent v.2, US LCI, ELCD, US Input Output, EU and Danish Input Output, Dutch Input Output, LCA Food,
Industry data v.2.
- More databases available
IVAM, Japanese input-output.
- Impact assessment methods included
ReCiPe, Eco-indicator 99, USEtox, IPCC 2007, EPD, Impact 2002+, CML-IA, Traci 2, BEES, Ecological Footprint
EDIP 2003, Ecological scarcity 2006, EPS 2000, Greenhouse Gas Protocol and others.
With the SimaPro software you can access the life cycle inventory data at all different stages of your model and analysis. This transparency is powerful in assessing your complex product or process. All results can be traced back to their origin with a few mouse clicks. You can easily zoom into the "hotspots" or the area of attention.
ecoinvent v.2: over 4000 industrial processes in the following sectors: energy, energy, transport, building materials, chemicals, washing agents, paper & board, agriculture and waste management. Data is presented as both unit processes (raw data) and calculated results (systems). Data uncertainty can be calculated in the ecoinvent unit processes using advanced Monte Carlo analysis in SimaPro. Developed by the ecoinvent center, Switzerland, Download manual.
US LCI: 423 processes covering the most important inventory data for energy, transport and material production (agriculture, chemicals, plastics, metals, wood) processes in North America. Developed by NREL, USA, Download manual.
ELCD: 327 processes provided by front-running EU-level business associations and other sources for key materials, energy carriers, transport, and waste management. The respective data sets are officially provided and approved by the named industry association. Developed by JRC, DG environment EU, European Commission
US Input Output: The US IO library consists of two databases of which one uses economic allocation and the other economic allocation with system expansion. The library is based on a commodity matrix from 2002, supplemented with data for capital goods. The IO commodity matrix is linked to a large environmental intervention matrix compiled using several data sources. Developed by IERS, LLC, USA, Download manual.
EU and Danish Input Output: 750 commodities covering the entire Danish economy plus the main import and export. Developed by 2.-0 LCA Consultants, Denmark, Download manual.
Swiss Input Output: This library is developed by our Swiss partner ESU-services, as part of a project for the
Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). It contains 154 processes. An extensive report can be retrieved from: http://www.esu-services.ch/projects/ioa/
LCA Food: provides environmental data on 500 food products and processes at different stages of their product chains in Denmark. Most of the LCI data is consequential. Source: LCA Food, Developed by 2.-0 LCA Consultants, Denmark
Industry data v.2: 74 processes from well known industrial associations.
IVAM: contains data on materials, transport, energy and waste treatments, focus is on Dutch data. Developed by IVAM Environmental Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. More information
Japanese input-output: covers 400 domestic industrial sectors for the year 2000. Data is presented as system processes and not as unit data. Developed by the Environmental Technology Laboratory of the Corporate Research & Development centre of Toshiba Corporation. Download manual
Impact assessment is an important step to measure the environmental impacts in LCA. SimaPro offers you a selection of methods to choose from.
- Midpoint methods: ReCiPe, USEtox, IPCC 2007, CML IA, Traci 2, BEES, EDIP 2003, Ecological scarcity 2006, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Ecological footprint.
- Endpoint methods: ReCiPe, Eco-indicator 99, Impact 2002+, EPS 2000.
Download the Methods Manual for a concise overview of all methods available in SimaPro.