How to integrate EPDs in a new LCA?

Question

Hi everyone, I am developing an LCA for a company producing a new plastic mix. For one of the products used in the mix an EPD is available, how can I integrate the results of the EPD in my new LCA?

Answer 1

Hi Paola, 
I would recommend you check this part of the openLCA manual that focuses on importing EPDs from different sources: Adding EPD results from various sources - openLCA 2 manual 

Comments

I have attempted this with the manual, however there seems to be some sort of link missing to enable the calculation to function properly by taking the "results" as an input into the product system.

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ok the link to the manual has been moved, it is now here https://greendelta.github.io/openLCA2-manual/, but otherwise it works? You need to use results of the EPD, for the different stages, not the EPD as such. Integrating the EPD is not supported  to prevent double counting.

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Hi Andreas,

Would you be able to elaborate on what you mean? I have looked at the section about using results of EPDs in the life cycle analysis, however when I have added them as a process, they are not used when I created a product system which consists of multiple EPD results. Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Charles

Answer 2

Answer in reply to the comment asking to elaborate what I mean: You do not add EPDs as processes but as EPD results, as shown in the handbook:

The link is here: https://greendelta.github.io/openLCA2-manual/epds/life_cycle_models.html. They will contribute to the overall results, assuming that you use a fitting LCIA method of course, i.e. a method that is used in the EPD results and also for the system calculation. If you only calculate IPCC, e.g., then other indicators from the EPD will not show up in the result. Maybe this is clear now?