Question

Is the free USDA 2019 an LCI database and does it contain providers for industrial materials and chemicals?

Answer 1

Can you clarify what you mean by the free USDA 2019 database? Are you looking at the USDA Crop Data 2019 database on the openLCA Nexus?

The Federal LCA Commons data on the Nexus is converted from the data that is available and updated here: https://www.lcacommons.gov/lca-collaboration/. Note that the versions provided on the openLCA Nexus are provided by GreenDelta and are compatible with the openLCA methods pack and many other databases on the Nexus, while the version on the LCA Commons site is compatible with the Federal LCA Flows list.

Comments

Yes, the Federal LCA Commons and the openLCA nexus use different flow lists so mapping is required to make them interoperable. Note though that the Federal LCA Commons has LCIA methods as well.