EVALUATION

OF
LIFE CYCLE
ASSESSMENT
TOOLS
EVALUATION OF LIFE-CYCLE
ASSESSMENT TOOLS

Prepared by:

Dean M. Menke and Gary A. Davis

The University of Tennessee
Center for Clean Products and Clean Technologies
and
Bruce W. Vigon
Battelle, Strategic Environmental Management

Prepared for:

Hazardous Waste Branch

Environment Canada

August 1996

2
 DISCLAIMER NOTICE

This report has not undergone detailed technical review by the Environmental Protection Service
and the content does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Environment Canada.
Mention of trade names of commercial products does not constitute endorsement for use.

This manuscript is undergoing a limited distribution to transfer the information to people working
in related studies. This distribution is not intended to signify publication and, if the report is
referenced, the author should site it as an unpublished report of the Branch indicated below.

Any comments concerning its content should be directed to:

Kevin Brady or Andie Paynter

Environment Canada
Hazardous Waste Branch
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0H3
Tel.: (819) 953-1108
Fax: (819) 953-6881
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
 Table of Contents

Page

1. Introduction
.............................................................................................................................1

2. Initial Evaluation
...................................................................................................................1
2.1 Comprehensive List of LCA Software Tools .......................................................2
2.2 Initial Review of Demonstration Software and Literature ...........................................2
2.3 Selection for In-Depth Evaluations
.............................................................................4

3. In-Depth Evaluation
...........................................................................................................5
3.1 Criteria for In-Depth Analysis of Tools
....................................................................5
3.1.1 Computer Requirements and Interface
..............................................................6
3.1.2 System Definition
............................................................................................6
3.1.3 Data and Data Management
..............................................................................7
3.1.4 Flexibility .......................................................................................................
8
3.1.5 Calculations and Comparisons
..........................................................................8
3.1.6 Outputs and Exports
..........................................................................................9
3.2 Generic Life-Cycle Systems
........................................................................................9
3.3 Survey of Software Users
...........................................................................................11
3.4 Summary of Results
....................................................................................................12
3.4.1 KCL-ECO
........................................................................................................14
3.4.2 LCAiT
........................................................................................................14
3.4.3 PEMS
........................................................................................................15
3.4.4 SimaPro
........................................................................................................16

i
 TM
3.345 TEAM
........................................................................................................16

Appendix A - Results of Interim Evaluation

Appendix B - Survey of Software Users
Appendix C - In-Depth Evaluation of Full LCA Software Tools
Appendix D - Default Printouts

List of Tables

Table 1 - Comprehensive Life of Life-Cycle Assessment Tools .........................................3

Table 2 - Basic Selection Criteria and Corresponding Software Tools .............................4
Table 3 - Survey Responses for Each LCA Software Tool ........................................11
Table 4 - Comparison of Unique Software Features ...................................................12

List of Figures

Figure 1 - Initial Review Categories .............................................................................4

Figure 2 - Criteria for In-Depth Evaluation ..................................................................6
Figure 3 - Straight-Line Manufacturing and Use System ....................................................10
Figure 4 - Manufacturing, Use, and Closed-Loop Recycling System ..................................10
Figure 5 - Manufacturing, Use, and Open-Loop Recycling System ...................................10
Figure 6 - Manufacturing with Co-Production and Use .....................................................11

ii
 EVALUATION OF LIFE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT TOOLS

1. INTRODUCTION

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a process to evaluate the resource consumption and environmental
burdens associated with a product, process, package, or activity. The LCA process encompasses
the identification and quantification of energy and material usage, as well as environmental
releases across all stages of the life cycle; the assessment of the impact of these energy and
material uses and releases to the environment; and the evaluation and implementation of
opportunities to effect environmental improvement.1

In recent years, LCA has gained general acceptance as a tool with a range of uses, such as
environmental labeling, product environmental improvement, eco-design, and policy evaluation.
As the acceptance of LCA has increased, so has the development of software tools and databases
for performing LCA. Many of these software tools and databases are available for licensing or
purchase. Targeted users of these materials are expert LCA practitioners and/or general users.

The Canadian government is facilitating the availability of accurate, up-to-date data for the
inventory component of LCA by compiling the Canadian Raw Materials Database (CRMD). The
life-cycle data concerning six primary materials will be made available to producers and other
users for the use in LCA and other pollution prevention activities. Of critical importance in the
use of the CRMD is the availability of software tools which can accept the data and process it in a
manner that is consistent with the users’ intended purpose and goals.

This project, conducted by the University of Tennessee Center for Clean Products and Clean
Technologies, is an objective evaluation of the available LCA software tools for potential use with
the CRMD. The evaluation consisted of two phases: an initial screening of available software
tools, and subsequent appraisal of five software tools selected for an in-depth assessment based
on the results of the initial evaluation.

2. INITIAL EVALUATION

The initial evaluation accomplished the following four tasks, the results of which are discussed
below.

1. Established a comprehensive list of software tools (and vendors) currently

available for LCA;

2. Reviewed demonstration copies of software tools which were available through

vendor contacts;
1
Fava, James, et. al. (ed), A Conceptual Framework for Life-Cycle Impact Assessment, Society of Environmental
Toxicology and Chemistry (1992), Pensacola, FL.
1
 3. Reviewed literature concerning the available software tools from the vendors and
third-party sources;

4. Identified five (5) LCA software tools to evaluate in full according to criteria
developed in cooperation with Environment Canada.

2.1 Comprehensive List of LCA Software Tools

From the U.S. and Europe, 37 software tools (and vendors) were identified; the comprehensive
list is presented in Table 1. To establish this list, a variety of information sources were utilized.
Published literature from the Society for the Promotion of LCA Development (SPOLD) and
Atlantic Consulting, “The LCA Sourcebook” and “LCA-Software Buyers’ Guide” respectively,
were used to identify commonly-known LCA software tools. The World Wide Web was also
used to gather up-to-date information on other established software tools, while subscribers to
various Internet list servers were solicited for information on newly developed or developing
tools.

The 37 LCA software tools listed in Table 1 are in various forms of development and use. Four
software tools are not yet fully developed (EcoSys, EDIP, LCAD, and SimaTool) and are
denoted “Prototype” in the third column of Table 1. Some software tools are only available in a
language other than English or French; CUMPAN, REGIS, and Umcon are examples of these
software tools. Still other software tools were developed exclusively for private industry clients
and are not commercially available (e.g., LCA1).

2.2 Initial Review of Demonstration Software and Literature

Demonstration discs and users manuals for 14 software tools were obtained from vendors and
evaluated in the initial review. These 14 tools are identified in bold type in the first column of
Table 1. Included in the review was additional literature either supplied by the vendor or third-
party sources.

Each of the 14 software packages was evaluated using a common review format. Within this
format, six general categories of information are presented. These categories of information,
identified in Figure 1, were selected to present general information which could be used to assess
the capabilities of each software tool and to select the tool(s) which meet user-defined goals and
functions. The Features category contains the primary evaluation results for each demonstration
software tool; the other five categories offer support documentation including contact information
and computer requirements. Appendix A represents the results of the initial evaluation of the 14
demonstration software tools.

2
 Table 1 - Comprehensive List of Life-Cycle Assessment Tools

a Vendor Version Cost, $K Data Location

Name
1. Boustead Boustead 2 24 Europe
2. CLEAN EPRI 2 14 U.S.
3. CUMPAN Univ. of Hohenheim Unknown Unknown Germany
4. EcoAssessor PIRA Unknown Unknown UK
5. EcoManager Franklin Associates, Ltd. 1 10 Europe/U.S.
6. ECONTROL Oekoscience Unknown Unknown Switzerland
7. EcoPack2000 Max Bolliger 2.2 5.8 Switzerland
8. EcoPro EMPA 1 Unknown Switzerland
9. EcoSys Sandia/DOE Prototype Unknown U.S.
10. EDIP Inst. for Prod. Devel. Prototype Unknown Denmark
11. EMIS Carbotech Unknown Unknown Switzerland
12. EPS IVL 1 Unknown Sweden
13. GaBi IPTS 2 10 Germany
14. Heraklit Fraunhofer Inst. Unknown Unknown Germany
15. IDEA IIASA Unknown Unknown Europe
16. KCL-ECO Finnish Paper Inst. 1 3.6 Finland
17. LCA1 P&G/ETH 1 Not Avail. Europe
18. LCAD Battelle/DOE Prototype <1 U.S.
19. LCAiT Chalmers Industriteknik 2.0 3.5 Sweden
20. LCASys Philips/ORIGIN Unknown Unknown Netherlands
21. LIMS Chem Systems 1 25 U.S.
22. LMS Eco-Inv. Tool Christoph Machner 1 Unknown Austria
23. Oeko-Base II Peter Meier Unknown Unknown Switzerland
24. PEMS PIRA 3.1 9.1 Ave. European
25. PIA BMI/TME 1.2 1.4 Europe
26. PIUSSOECOS PSI AG Unknown Unknown Germany
27. PLA Visionik ApS Unknown Unknown Denmark
28. REGIS Simum Gmbh Unknown Unknown Switzerland
29. REPAQ Franklin Associates, Ltd. 2 10 U.S.
30. SimaPro PRe’ Consulting 3.1 3 Netherlands
31. SimaTool Leiden Univ. Prototype Unknown Netherlands
32. Simbox EAWAG Unknown Unknown Switzerland
33. TEAM Ecobalance 1.15 & 2.0 10 Europe/US
34. TEMIS Oko-Institute 2 Unknown Europe
35. TetraSolver TetraPak Unknown Unknown Europe
36. Umberto IFEU Unknown Unknown Germany
37. Umcon Particip Gmbh Unknown Unknown Germany
a
Demonstration discs and users manuals were obtained for tools shown in bold type.
3
 Figure 1 - Initial Review Categories

Software Computing
Name User support
Acronym Operating system
Hardware requirements
Vendor
Company name
Address Commercial Specifications
Contact Price and conditions
Phone and fax Demo availability

Features Customers and Reviews

Version Number of users
System type Targeted type of users
Data Published reports/reviews
User interface
Calculation methods
Output

2.3 Selection for In-depth Evaluations

From the initial evaluation of 14 LCA software tools, five tools were selected for an in-depth
evaluation utilizing complete versions of the software. The five packages selected were as
follows: KCL-ECO, LCAiT, PEMS, SimaPro, and TEAM. This selection was based on a
number of criteria, some of which are presented in Table 2 and discussed below.

Table 2 - Basic Selection Criteria and Corresponding Software Tools

Criteria Software Tools

highly detailed and representative life-cycle inventory KCL-ECO and TEAM
impact assessment capabilities and flexibility LCAiT and PEMS
extent of use within industry SimaPro

4
One factor influencing the selection process was a consideration of the ultimate user of the
software tool and the user’s goals. For many users, a highly detailed and representative life-cycle
inventory may offer enough flexibility to be useful. KCL-ECO and TEAM were selected based
on this criterion. Although the version of KCL-ECO evaluated (version 1.0) does not have
impact assessment capabilities (version 2.0 will), the software does present inventory information
in a detailed, user-friendly manner and supports data export to various data management systems.
TEAM offers a similar inventory management tool which is much more advanced.

System flexibility, impact assessment capabilities, and ease of use represent three additional
parameters which resulted in the selection of two other software tools: LCAiT and PEMS. Each
system possesses impact assessment capabilities, including user-defined parameters and weighting
factors.

In addition to its ease of use, SimaPro was selected because it is already used as the data
management tool for various commercially available life-cycle databases. IVAM and IDEMAT,
both from the Netherlands, and ETHZ, from Germany, all use this software tool for data
management. Furthermore, SimaPro is the program of choice for many companies as the analysis
tool for product improvement projects.

3. IN-DEPTH EVALUATION

The in-depth evaluation of the five LCA software tools began with the selection of criteria against
which the tools would be compared. To offer a common and systematic approach to the
evaluation, generic life-cycle systems were created which were developed in each of the five LCA
software tools. A survey of current LCA software tool users was also conducted to offer an
experienced, “real world” perspective to the generic evaluation. The criteria, generic systems, and
survey are described in the following sections. A summary of results which compares the main
features of each tool and the survey results follows these descriptions.

3.1 Criteria for In-Depth Analysis of Tools

The criteria considered in the initial evaluation represent only a few criteria which were
considered in the full evaluation of the selected LCA software tools. The complete list of criteria
used to evaluate these software tools was determined by the Center for Clean Products and
Environment Canada. Six primary categories of criteria were identified: computer requirements
and interface; system definition; data and data management; flexibility; calculations and
comparisons, and outputs and exports. These general categories and supporting criteria are
presented in Figure 2. An explanation of each criterion follows.

5
 Figure 2 - Criteria for In-Depth Evaluation

Computer Requirements and Interface Flexibility

• Hardware requirements • Unit flexibility
• Software requirements • Use of formulas
• Interface (e.g., graphical) • Allocation

System Definition Calculations and Comparisons

• System development • Sensitivity analysis
• System editing • Impact assessment
• Archiving • Comparison of results

Data and Data Management Outputs and Exports

• Embedded data • System
• Data quality indicators • Tables and graphs
• Other descriptive fields • Export options
• Data protection
• Data editing
• User-defined data

3.1.1 Computer Requirements and Interface

Computer requirements are the basic hardware and software requirements for each of the LCA
software tools. Memory requirements and minimal processing unit capabilities are the primary
Hardware Requirements. Software Requirements are those applications which are required for
the software tool to operate properly. This may include the type of platform (Macintosh,
Windows or DOS), as well as supporting applications not supplied by the LCA tool (e.g.,
spreadsheet applications such as Excel).

Interface describes the basic screens with which the user must interact while developing and
manipulating the product/service life cycle under investigation. This interface, and the
development of system life cycles is further evaluated and described in the following section,
System Definition.

3.1.2 System Definition

System Definition includes the three evaluation criteria of 1) system development, 2) system
editing, and 3) archiving.

6
System Development describes how the user can specify steps within a manufacturing process or
stages within the product/service life cycle to define the system under investigation. This includes
how flows of materials, emissions, and other burdens are specified within each step/stage, and
how transportation and energy requirements are incorporated into the system. The different ways
in which each software tool defines functional flows/functional units are also included under this
heading.

System Editing is a brief explanation of system editing capabilities and limitations as the user
develops a new or changes an existing life-cycle system. Adding or deleting steps/stages,
changing flows, and manipulating the developed system within the software interface are
considered in this section. Data editing is addressed separately in the general category Data and
Data Management.

Archiving as an evaluation criterion assesses the capabilities of each LCA software tool to reuse
previously defined systems (or sections of systems) in new life-cycle evaluations. As a library of
life-cycle systems is developed, the user may find it necessary and convenient to reuse all or some
of the saved information. For example, a common energy matrix or waste disposal scenario may
be used for many different life-cycle systems.

3.1.3 Data and Data Management

There are a number of issues surrounding life-cycle data, databases, and data management
capabilities which must be addressed when assessing the capabilities of each software tool. Under
the criterion of Data and Data Management there were six areas of interest: embedded data; data
quality indicators; other descriptive fields; data protection; data editing; and user-defined data.

Embedded Data describes the types of data available within databases accompanying each
software tool. A brief assessment of data quality is also included under this heading. For a full
description of data quality, see the results from the initial evaluation presented in Appendix A.

The various ways in which a user can specify data quality indicators is included under Data
Quality Indicators. Text fields which allow the user to specify the source of data, dates of data
collection, geographic regions, etc., are features addressed within this criterion. The quality of
embedded data is not assessed under this heading. Other descriptive text fields, such as system
title, process notes, etc., are included under the Other Descriptive Fields. User-defined
descriptive fields, such as these, are features which strengthen the life-cycle assessment process,
as well as simplify the interpretation of the assessment results.

Data Protection and Data Editing document the various ways in which the information contained
in the database (whether embedded or user-defined) is presented to the user, shielded and/or
protected from other users, and available for editing. Data protection considers both embedded
data protection and user-defined data protection. The protection of embedded data can include
complete inaccessibility to the data, view only, or copying/editing capabilities. The

7
protection of embedded data can include the use of user names and passwords, levels of security
clearance, etc. User-defined data protection can include, for example, features which offer data
access and editing capabilities to only the user who created the data set, as well as various levels
of access similar to those described for embedded data protection.

User-Defined Data describes the process by which the user can define data for inclusion in
software databases. Data import capabilities are included within this heading.

3.1.4 Flexibility

Three separate criteria were identified under the general heading of system Flexibility: unit
flexibility; use of formulas; and allocation. Unit Flexibility describes whether the tool supports
user-defined units or whether the user must convert all entries to consistent software-defined
units. The Use of Formulas offers another degree of flexibility. To determine/specify material
flows, energy requirements and environmental releases based on user-defined variables can permit
the user to develop a more dynamic system. Allocation of burdens among co-products and/or
open-loop flows is an issue of interest for all LCA practitioners. There are various ways by which
burdens are allocated to a product or service (e.g., by weight, by economic value, etc.). The
way(s) in which each tool allocates burdens was evaluated and discussed in this sub-category.

3.1.5 Calculations and Comparisons

Uncertainty analysis, impact assessment, and comparison of results represent three data
manipulation capabilities which may or may not be a function of each LCA software tool.
Calculations and Comparisons, as an evaluation criterion, assesses each tool for these
manipulation capabilities.

With each bit of information and data entry within an LCA, there exists a degree of uncertainty.
The capability of an LCA software tool to manage this uncertainty may be a characteristic of
importance to the user. Therefore, the various methods to perform uncertainty analysis, such as
sensitivity analysis, within each software tool was assessed, and presented under Uncertainty
Analysis.

Impact assessment, as defined in “Life-Cycle Impact Assessment - A Conceptual Framework, Key

Issues, and Summary of Existing Methods” (EPA, July 1995), includes the classification,
characterization, and valuation of life-cycle inventory results. The flexibility to incorporate user-
defined parameters for these and other assessment methods is of primary interest to many LCA
practitioners and the users of LCA software tools. Each tool was evaluated for these capabilities,
the results of which are summarized under Impact Assessment.

Comparison of Results summarizes the ability of each tool to compare the results (inventory or
impact assessment) of two or more systems. For example, a comparison may be of two identical
systems with different recycle rates or raw material inputs; a comparison may also be of two
completely different and competing products/technologies to accomplish the same function.

8
3.1.6 Outputs and Exports

Outputs and Exports, the final assessment category, evaluates the various ways in which the life-
cycle system and the calculated results can be viewed, printed, exported, and otherwise
manipulated.

The flow diagram or sequence of steps/stages evaluated in the LCA represents the system.
Printing and export functions of this system are presented under Systems.

Tables and Graphs summarizes the ways each software tool presents database information and
the results of the inventory analysis, impact assessment, and other calculations. Editing
capabilities and user-defined formats for tables and graphics are also included under this heading.

The ability to utilize the information created in the LCA software tool in other computer
applications for report purposes, presentations, further manipulations, etc. is yet another capability
of each software tool evaluated. Export Capabilities such as data export, inventory export, and
impact assessment export were among the factors included in this criterion summary.

3.2 Generic Life-Cycle Systems

The five LCA software tools selected for an in-depth evaluation were assessed under each of the
above criteria. To accomplish this in-depth evaluation, four simple, fictitious life-cycle systems
were developed in, and analyzed with each of the software tools. These systems, pictorially
presented in Figures 3 through 6, represent the following scenarios:

1. straight-line manufacturing and use;

2. manufacturing, use, and closed-loop recycle;
3. manufacturing, use, and open-loop recycle; and
4. manufacturing with co-production and use.

The actual numbers calculated for each scenario were not compared between LCA software tools.
The purpose of these scenarios was to allow the evaluators to become familiar with each tool,
and to address each of the criteria in a systematic and consistent fashion.

9
 Figure 3 - Straight-Line Manufacturing and Use System

Material #1

Process #1 Process #2 Use Disposal

Material #2

Transport Transport Transport of Waste

of Raw Materials of Intermediate
Product

Figure 4 - Manufacturing, Use, and Closed-Loop Recycling System

Material #1 Recycle

Process #1 Process #2 Use Disposal

Material #2

Transport Transport Transport of Waste

of Raw Materials of Intermediate
Product

Figure 5 - Manufacturing, Use, and Open-Loop Recycling System

Material #1 Optional Recycle Open Loop

Process #1 Process #2 Use Disposal

Material #2

Transport Transport Transport of Waste

of Raw Materials of Intermediate
Product

10
 Figure 6 - Manufacturing with Co-Production and Use

Material #1 Co-Product

Process #1 Process #2

Material #2 Product Disposal

Transport Transport Transport of Waste

of Raw Materials of Intermediate
Product

3.3 Survey of Software Users

To give additional depth to the evaluation, a survey of current LCA software tool users was also
conducted. Though the evaluation utilizing the criteria and scenarios described above was
detailed, this survey of current LCA tool users offers a real-world perspective. The survey (see
Appendix B) was used to assess the current applications of each software tool, the individuals
using each tool, and the impressions formed by these users of the tool’s features and capabilities.
The Center for Clean Products distributed the survey to software users, either directly to contacts
supplied by software vendors, or through software vendors when client confidentiality was an
issue. Table 3 summarizes survey distribution numbers and percent responses. Unfortunately, the
number of completed surveys received from software users was not adequate to offer definitive
and comparable results across LCA tools. Therefore, a separate summary of survey results will
not be presented. Survey responses that were received are included in Appendix B.

Table 3 - Survey Responses for Each LCA Software Tool

Software Number Distributed Number Received Percent Response

KCL-ECO 2 0 0
LCAiT 1 1 100%
PEMS 18 8 44%-
SimaPro (1) 1 -
unknown
TEAM 5 1 20%

(1)
Survey was distributed through PRe'.

11
3.4 Summary of Results

The results of the evaluation which utilized the criteria and generic scenarios are presented in
Tables C1-C6 of Appendix C. The five software tools evaluated have many common capabilities.
There are, however, a number of unique features/capabilities not found in every LCA software
tool. A condensed and comparative evaluation of these unique software features is presented in
Table 4. A brief description of these unique features is presented below. Refer to Appendix C for
details of these unique features and other software capabilities.

Table 4 - Comparison of Unique Software Features

KCL-ECO LCAiT PEMS SimaPro TEAM

Graphical Interface 4 4 4 4
Data Protection 4 4 4
Unit Flexibility 4 4 4
Use of Formulas 4 4
Uncertainty Analysis 4 4 4
Impact Assessment 4 4 4 4
Comparison of Results 4 4 4
Graphical Display of Results 4 4 4

SimaPro was the only LCA software tool evaluated that did not offer a graphical interface for
system development. Though the version of TEAM evaluated in this study did not support a
graphical interface (version 1.15), version 2.0, also distributed by Ecobalance to licensees with
Windows 95 and Windows NT, does support the graphical development of a life-cycle system.

Data protection is a feature offered by three of the five software tools: PEMS, SimaPro, and
TEAM. PEMS data protection maintained the integrity of the embedded database, but offers
little flexibility for user-defined data protection. The data protection feature of SimaPro is only
supported in the multi-user version of the software. Similar to TEAM, data protection in
SimaPro utilizes user passwords and access codes allowing each user to maintain their own
database. TEAM offers the most extensive and flexible data protection options of all the
software tools. As detailed in Appendix C (Table C3.2), three levels of protection can be
specified for each project and defined data set.

Though unit flexibility is a feature supported by KCL-ECO, SimaPro, and TEAM, only
SimaPro requires the conversion of user-defined units to standard system-defined metric units.
Once defined, unit convention must be maintained in KCL-ECO and TEAM.
The use of formulas offers a dynamic dimension to the LCA process. Formulas and variables are
used in KCL-ECO and TEAM in a similar manner. Each tool is able to support uncertainty
analysis (described below) as a result of formula and variable utilization. See Table C5 of
Appendix C for details of variables and formulas; see Table C5 for uncertainty analysis details.
12
The ability to perform uncertainty analysis by the three identified software tools is quite different.
In KCL-ECO, uncertainty can be applied to selected variables (i.e., +/- X%), and the number of
analysis cycles can be specified by the user. Though this technique is flexible, the graphical
presentation of uncertainty results has limited utilization outside the program. PEMS and
TEAM offer similar uncertainty analysis capabilities. Different scenarios must be run separately
and saved as individual files; TEAM supports automation of these scenario runs. In PEMS the
user can then analyze the percent difference (i.e., +/- X%) between two scenarios for various
user-defined parameters. Analysis of scenario results in TEAM is performed in TEAMPlus (an
add-on program that goes with TEAM) as a comparison of results.

A commonly accepted methodology for impact assessment is still under development within the
LCA practitioners community. Despite this lack of agreement, four of the five evaluated software
tools support impact assessment capabilities: LCAiT, PEMS, SimaPro, and TEAM. Each tool
supports the assessment of impact based on emission loadings to common environmental
parameters such as global warming, greenhouse gases, and solid waste. Weighting factors are
applied to the emissions calculated for a life-cycle inventory, and the resulting values are placed
under the appropriate parameter(s). LCAiT and PEMS supports user-defined parameters;
SimaPro allows the user to define their own parameters and weighting factors; and version 2.0 of
TEAM requires the user to use system-defined weighting factors and parameters. PEMS and
SimaPro offer additional assessment analyses which can be reviewed in Table C5 of Appendix C.
The upcoming version of KCL-ECO will support impact assessment.

Comparison of results is supported by three of the five evaluated software tools. PEMS supports
the comparison of up to six separate systems using any user-defined template of results (graphical
or tabular). Each offers the unique ability to compare assemblies, sub-systems, waste disposal
scenarios, etc. in any combination. For example, in SimaPro you can compare the emissions from
the manufacture process of an assembly with the emissions resulting from a waste disposal
scenario. Substances or impact assessment parameters can be compared. Similarly for PEMS, if
inventories for a sub-system are created and saved, a comparison of results is possible. Similarly
for TEAM, the contribution of any process or sub-system to the overall system can be reported.
A limitation of the graphical treatment within TEAM, however, is that only one parameter can
be compared at a time from only two inventories. Data export is supported by all five tools thus
allowing data manipulation in a spreadsheet or similar application.

The graphical display of results is the last feature common among only a few software tools.
LCAiT offers only a graphical depiction of the calculated inventory results. PEMS supports a
wide range of user-defined graphical results that can also be viewed in tabular form. Finally,
SimaPro presents characterization (classification), normalization, and valuation calculations in
graphical form; graphical depiction of inventory results is not supported.

Though each software tool has common capabilities within the remaining criteria categories, the
flexibility and functionality of these capabilities vary significantly from tool to tool. While
completing the evaluation, overall impressions of each software tool’s capabilities, limitations, and
13
ease of use were formulated by the evaluators. These impressions of the evaluators are presented
below. The reader should refer to Appendix C for further details.

3.4.1 KCL-ECO

The graphical interface of KCL-ECO makes system development easy. Editing of the system,
data, and variables list from anywhere within the program offers the freedom to develop the
system as it is conceived by the user. The reuse of archived systems and sub-systems is one of the
easiest among the evaluated tools. System variables (inputs and outputs) can be specified by the
user. Units are associated with each variable and can also be defined by the user. Once defined,
this unit convention must be maintained throughout the LCA project. Allocation among co-
products is not a function of the tool. All allocation must be performed before the system is
developed and the flows specified. The use of variables and equations allows for user-defined
flows and parameters, and offers another degree of flexibility when defining the system.
Sensitivity analysis within the program is one of the most versatile among the tools evaluated.
Customization of result tables is supported in a limited way; graphical displays are not an option
given by the software. Survey responses from KCL-ECO users were not received.

Unique features offered by KCL-ECO include the following:

• Access to the variables list at any point within the program allows the user to define new
variables from anywhere within the program as the system is being developed.
• The descriptive field accompanying each process block can be invoked on the graphical
interface and is included in the table of results.
• The output of one process block does not have to have the same name as the input to
another process block when the flow is connected between blocks.

Limitations of the software tool include the inability to compare results and perform impact
assessment, and the lack of support for exporting results. However, version 2 of KCL-ECO,
expected out later this year, will possess impact assessment capabilities, as well as allocation
methods.

3.4.2 LCAiT

System development within LCAiT is not as simple as that experienced with other software tools
evaluated. Emissions, wastes, and resources (here, resources refer to co-products) generated by a
process are specified in the Process Card. The primary product of a process (i.e., resources which
flow between processes) can not be defined until links have been established between two or more
processes. Percent shared flows (based on weight) must be defined for processes with multiple
inflows or outflows. Transportation is treated as a system block similar to process blocks. Data
editing and user-defined data capabilities, however, are simple and straightforward. The use of
descriptive text fields is extensive. Unit flexibility of the tool is typical of most software; data
must be entered in system-defined units. Allocation is not supported by the software tool; the
user must allocate all burdens before entering data into the system. The lack of sensitivity
analyses and comparison of results limits the tool’s application as a management tool. Impact
14
assessment capabilities, however, are good. Only graphic results are supported within the user
interface; export capabilities in tabular form are supported. A description of the different colors
used in the graphic display of results is not offered.

Unique features of LCAiT include the following:

• The ease of user-defined data entry using software-supplied templates; and
• The ability to import an entire life-cycle system into a process block of a new system,
allowing highly detailed and complex systems to be simplified.

Limitation of the software tool is that only 16 links (total, in and out) can be established for each
process block (four on each side), and only one inflow and one outflow can be assigned to each
transportation block. Though these system-development limitations can be overcome, significant
thought and creativity may be required to develop complex systems.

3.4.3 PEMS

The graphical interface of PEMS makes system development intuitively very easy. The inputs and
outputs are compiled and a mass balance for each process block is calculated and reported to the
user on each Properties card. Material flows and transportation are represented by arrows
between blocks. Ample descriptive fields allow the user to offer narrative information for all
process blocks and the system as a whole. Data developed by the user, however, are difficult to
input into the database format, and archiving systems for reuse is tedious. Unit flexibility and
allocation capabilities of the tool are typical of most software; data must be entered in system-
defined units, and the allocation is by weight. The manual offers a very detailed explanation of
other allocation methods but the tool does not specifically support these methods. Finally, the
manipulation and presentation of data is well supported by the system. Sensitivity analysis, impact
assessment, and comparison of results are easy to understand and customize. Tables and graphs
can be easily customized, and export to other applications is well supported.

Unique features of PEMS include the following:

• User is informed (warned) if a flow represents less than one percent of total;
• Multiple transportation options can be defined for a single flow allowing urban, rural, and
motor way combinations to be selected. The inclusion of a ‘utility’ factor allows the user
to represent return trips as well.
• While defining the inputs and outputs of each process, the program maintains and informs
the user of a mass balance around the process.
• PIRA offers membership to the PEMS User’s Club; as members PEMS users have the
opportunity to discuss and participate in the further development of LCA and LCA
standards, as well as the development of future PEMS versions.

A limitation of PEMS experienced during the evaluation was the lack of a run-time version of
Excel; software failure occurs when using an Excel application above Version 5. This dependence
on Excel has been eliminated in the version of PEMS expected out later this year (1996).

15
3.4.4 SimaPro

SimaPro has features that support its extensive use as a product development and LCA
management tool. Though a graphical interface for system development is not offered, SimaPro
is very easy to use and flexible. Access to, and unrestricted editing of the five database files is the
characteristic which offers most of this flexibility and ease. Aside from data protection, all data
and data management options are excellent and easy to operate. Embedded data are extensive
and well documented; adequate descriptive fields are offered for each database entry; and user-
defined data are easily input through templates offered by the software program. Various impact
assessment options for system and block impact (e.g., easily accessible indicator values,
characterization/normalization/valuation calculations, and ‘thermometer’ scales) are available at
all times while in the program. Results presented in a graphical format are supported, but tables
are not.

Unique features of SimaPro include the following:

• The ability to link database entries;
• Access to numeric and visual indications of impact for each stage, assembly, process, and
material in a life cycle system; and
• A multiple-users version of SimaPro is available (at a reduced cost for educational
purposes) which offers unique features such as data protection and networking.

Limitations of SimaPro include the lack of graphical interface, sensitivity analysis and possibly the
DOS interface.

3.4.5 TEAM

TEAM is the most powerful and flexible of the tools evaluated in this in-depth study. Because
of this, however, the features and capabilities were the most difficult to fully understand and
utilize. Selecting and defining inputs and outputs within the lowest process/unit level is quite
simple using the tool bar; flows may be defined by values or variables and equations. Unit
flexibility is similar to KCL-ECO; units are associated with each variable (i.e., termed an “Article”
in TEAM) and can be defined by the user. Once defined, this unit convention must be
maintained throughout the LCA project. The use of formulas to specify allocation methods for
each process unit is a unique feature of TEAM. At each process level, Check and Compile
options allow the user to ensure system consistency and integrity even before the system is fully
defined. Calculating the LCA inventory from anywhere within the system (called “propagation”)
is yet another flexible feature of TEAM. Tabular results are typical of other software tools
evaluated, with customization and export capabilities supported. Graphical representation of
results as a feature of the tool is supported only within the "Compare Reults" option described
above.

Unique features of TEAM include the following:

• Systems and sub-systems can be defined as Modules, allowing highly detailed and complex
systems to be simplified.
16
• Inventory calculations can be propagated from anywhere within the system;
• Allocation rules can be defined within the lowest process/unit level for any flow;
• The various data protection and data access levels allow easy maintenance of data
integrity; and
• A networking version of TEAM is also available which offers multiple remote access to
a single system.

Limitations of TEAM include the lack of support for user-defined weighting factors for impact
assessment and the limited (only one parameter between two Inventories) comparison of results
capabilities as a feature within the software tool. A new version of TEAM is expected out later
this year which will support user-defined weighting factors.

17
 Appendix A

Results of Interim Evaluation

SOFTWARE: The Boustead Model

VENDOR:
Company:
Address: 2 Black Cottages, Worthing Road, West Grinstead, Horsham, West
(1)
Sussex, Great Britain RH13 7BD
Contact: Dr. Ian Boustead
Phone: 44-403-864-561
Fax: 44-403-865-284.

(1)
The U.S. sales representative is Consoli Consulting, Inc., 619 N. Heilbron Drive,
Medea, PA 19063.

FEATURES:
Version: 2.0

System Type: LCI with extended integral database.

Data: Includes extensive data modules for energy carriers, fuels production and
transportation. Individual process, segment, and complete product data are included for
common process operation segments and commodity materials manufacturing sub-
systems. Unit processes are coded by number and ample space is available in the database
for user-specified data. Data are input via the construction of a data table for each
process. For any given numbered process that produces a defined unit of product, the
user places in the table names and amounts of any input raw materials, energy requirement
(generated outside the process), intermediate inputs, i.e. those not drawn from the earth,
and any air, water, and solid waste emissions. The associated code number of the
tabulated items is also entered to allow the program to link any particular table with any
other table in order to create the process flow sheet. The core database, i.e., the
accumulation of the items supplied with the program, are grouped into categories because
the user must input the codes when generating a new data table. Although the most
frequently used ones can be memorized, the user will need to refer to the listings for less
frequently specified items. The database contains information on over 2,000 unit
operations. Unit operations data represent a mixture of U.K., general European, and U.S.
conditions. The standard list of emissions in the core database contains up to about 2
dozen items for each process. The user may add additional items as needed.

The data for the fuel producing industries are especially well represented by country. Data
sets are included for average conditions in 23 countries. Furthermore, the electric
generation data for the U.S. and Canada are disaggregated into 9 and 5 regional electrical
grids, allowing a finer level of analysis.

1
 Data are generally in SI units, but there is no reason why alternative units cannot be
selected by the user provided they are consistent. However, there is a preferred set of
data units. Most of the data are believed to be secondary except for some specific data on
local systems collected by the author. No explicit data quality indicators are used.

User Interface: The current version of the Boustead model and its supporting
documentation is in English. The user actually interacts with the model through the
initiation of a sub-program either from a system menu or directly from the DOS prompt.
File manipulation and printing are all controlled in this manner. One group of sub-
programs writes data to files in ASCII format for later post-processing. One convenient
feature of the program is the printing of a proforma questionnaire for the data collection
process. Creation of models containing only linear sequences of unit operations is quite
straightforward. Use of pre-defined segments, as for example the cradle-to-get data from
the American Plastics Council, or models involving recycling loops are more complicated.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The “program” actually consist of a collection of routines

which perform discrete functions. The user selects from a listing of these programs the
desired function and executes the program. Input is sought and output collected to allow
progression through the construction of the data, checking of units consistency, assembly
into an LCI, printing of intermediate worksheets, and the formatting and printing of
reports. Categories of sub-programs include:

• Setting Defaults (file size and printing configurations)

• Amending the Database (amends data in input tables and elsewhere; inserts or deletes data in
specified tables, blocks or data sets)
• Preparing Primary Data (converts unit quantities and prints data acquisition questionnaires)
• Calculating Data (computes the specified aggregated inputs or outputs for the core
components, i.e. those contained in the core database and the top components, i.e., the user
input materials and processes)
• Reading Data to the Screen (presents information on the monitor for a code number)
• Printing Worksheets (prints intermediate calculation data)
• Printing Reports (prints composite and data subsets in report format)
• Writing Data in ASCII format (outputs data to a floppy drive file)
• Transferring Data (moves data from/to a floppy drive and a hard drive)
• Initial Installation (creates files and converts version 1 to version 2 structure)

The topmost analysis unit is the product. The checking of the data sets for errors is
facilitated through the code structure and a search program which allows any operation
code contained in an input table to be flagged for examination as a possible mis-entered
data point.

2
 LCIA Calculation Method(s): Not applicable

Output: The flexible report generation capability allows the reader to create any number
of tabular representations of the data. The format of these tables are fixed by the
program. Export to a word processor via the ASCII file writing capability, however, does
allow additional tailoring. The basic report contains columns of data for each
environmental medium for each input/output. Headers and a footer as well as page
numbers are printed in the report generator. No graphical capability exists within the
program.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Available in the U.S. through Consoli Consulting (sales primarily) and Dr.
Derek Augood (private consulting through an agreement with Dr. Boustead);
customization and additional user support available through the author.

Operating System: DOS 5.0 or higher

Hardware Requirements: 386-SX processor, 2 MB RAM, and 35 MB disk space

minimum; 486-DX or higher performance processor preferred; requires up to 100 MB of
disk space depending on complexity of model.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: $24,000 initial lease; renewal negotiable

Demo Availability: No

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: Unknown at present

Targeted Type of Users: Expert users in general, although model is generally

straightforward to operate; typically the model has been supported by a trained user within
the leasing organization.

Published Reports: Numerous application reports in Europe and the USA

3
SOFTWARE: Comprehensive Least Emissions Analysis (CLEAN)

VENDOR:
(1)
Company: Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
Address: 4920 El Camino, Los Altos, CA 94022
Contact: Dwight Agar
Phone: 415-960-5918
Fax: 415-960-5965

(1)
The development of CLEAN was sponsored by Electric Power Research Institute
(EPRI) in conjunction with several utilities.

FEATURES:
Version: 2.0

System Type: LCI of energy emissions from fuel production, electric generation, and
end-use (note: downstream emissions, such as equipment maintenance and disposal, are
not yet included in the database or calculations). A costing module is also part of the
program.

Data: Includes 150 end-use technologies in over 20 different activity groups; for
2
example, 150,000 ft facility with T-12 lamps and magnetic ballasts represents a
technology in an office lighting activity. Residential, commercial, and industrial
technology-activity groups are covered. Six default supply-side emissions data sets
covering various geographic regions of the U.S. are included which represent marginal
emissions data for year 2000. Also included is a supply-side emissions data set for New
England Electric Systems for 1993. Units of emissions can be specified: either gr., kg.,
lb., or tons. (lb. is default.) Users are able and encouraged to model end-use technologies
and activities, as well as customize the database to meet individual needs (e.g., provide
utility-specific electric generation emission curves). Data can be viewed and edited in the
program’s user interface, or imported/exported from structured ASCII files. The
references for system supplied data can be checked by accessing the Reference option
found under the Edit menu in the Main Window.

User Interface: software and manual are in English. The software is also equipped with
a complete on-line help screen. The user is prompted through a series of menus to define
activities, technologies, and supply-side emissions data. No graphical interface is offered.

LCI Calculation Method(s): Based on user selected supply-side emissions data, end-use
activity, and end-use technology, the program calculates the emissions of electrical
technologies based on pre-defined hourly electric demand and marginal emission factors
(one times the other). Calculations take into account varying emission factors of the
4
 generation plant, varying electrical demands of end-use technologies, efficiency of end-use
technologies, and transmission/distribution losses. For non-electric technologies, CLEAN
calculates the yearly emissions as a function of yearly energy use, the efficiency and the
emissions factors associated with the selected technology and fuel. Calculations determine
the weight of emissions for 19 substances (equivalent C02, N0x, S02, TSP, PM10, CFC-
11, HCFC-22, HCF-123, IFC-134A, ROG, CO, water use, solid waste, waste water,
CFC-12, hazardous waste, CH4 and N20.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): Not applicable

LC Cost Calculation Method(s): The software will calculate the marginal cost to the
utility for generating the required electricity and the net present value of the technology
based on user-defined parameters (OEM, capital, installation, inflation rate, expected life,
etc.)

Output: Both text (files) and graphic output support are provided. Input data and
calculated results can be copied to a file in ASCII form. Graphical depiction of results
includes bar graphs, off- and on-site emissions, load curves and supply curves. Report
options include eight different formats, all of which have export capabilities and user
specified options.

COMPUTING:

User Support: On-line help available through program. SAIC offers on-site training and
support over the phone.

Operating System: DOS, MS Windows 3.1, Microsoft Access

Hardware Requirements: 386-SX, 16 MHz, 4 MB RAM and 5 MB free hard disk

space

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: $14,000 for industry and private firms; some arrangements for
academic and research facilities can be made. Availability of software is by contract only.

Demo Availability: Yes, manual and disk.

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: Over 250 software copies have been ordered by industry.

5
Targeted Type of Users: Non-expert user

Published Reports: Unknown

6
SOFTWARE: EcoManager

VENDOR:
Company: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
Address: 4121 83rd Street, Suite 108, Prairie Village, KS 66208
Contact: Bruce Kusko
Phone: 913-649-2225
Fax: 913-649-6494

FEATURES:
Version: 1 (January 1994)

System Type: LCI using generic data.

Data: System provides generic data, the use of which will apply to average or typical
process/product situations. Four databases are available: materials, energy, waste, and
transport. Within the demo manual there was no indication of the extent or contents of
these databases or data quality indicators. Weight in pounds (lbs.) is the unit in which all
non-energy data must be entered and evaluated. Use of other units must be manually
converted to lb. Energy units must be MBTU and be relative to the reference quantity of
the process. Three of the databases can be updated (materials, waste, and energy);
transportation cannot. Data input procedures were not clarified in the materials (demo)
provided.

User Interface: EcoManager is in English, both manual and software. All processes
must be predefined by the user prior to creating a new inventory. The user is prompted
through simple menu screens to enter the material, transport, and energy flows from each
process step. The data management spreadsheet for each process is also accessible to edit
and add data as desired. No graphical representation of the created system is supported.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The model uses backward-chaining processing, or

processes in which the environmental burdens are linked to the amount of output required.
Thus, a functional unit must be specified; the life cycle inventory will be
normalized/calculated against the weight of this functional unit. The model works
backwards through the system, thus the first process evaluated is the last within the system
(prior to waste disposal). For each process, a reference quantity which was the basis for
the inventory data must be defined by the user. Links between processes are not dynamic.

A maximum of four material outputs can be entered for each process. Five closed loop
input materials can be entered into a single process. Only one co-product can be specified
per process, thus multiple co-products must be grouped. The allocation method used is by
weight; other allocation methods require manual calculations to weight. Up to twenty
stages using transportation can be defined. Distance traveled and a utility factor are the

7
 two data parameters the user can define. Waste management options include default
transport data. Data are maintained and manipulated by an Excel spreadsheet. Energy
outputs for the system are limited to one electrical and one heat. No clear definition of
recycle loops was offered.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): Not applicable

Output: The model supports only tabular output of calculations. Each defined process is
identified as a column heading, below which are three columns which contain "notes,"
"references," and "calculated values." Notes allow the user to track materials and energy
through the system; reference columns contain data about the inputs and outputs of
material/energy relative to the reference quantity for that process; and the calculations
column presents the inputs and outputs based on the functional unit defined for the
system. Data and calculations are managed in a Excel spreadsheet, therefore export of
results is supported.

COMPUTER:

User Support: Not explicitly stated.

Operating System: DOS 3.1 or higher, Windows 3, and Excel 4

Hardware: 386 or 486 with at least 4 MB RAM

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: $10,000

Demo Availability: Yes; demo manual is extremely limited in its explanations of

demonstration of system capabilities.

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Customers: 6 industrial users

Targeted Type of User: Intended user is the non-expert. With the lack of a graphical
interface (all entries are prompted via dialogue) and complexity of data input, this intended
user is not practical.

Published Reports: Unknown

8
SOFTWARE: ECOPACK2000

VENDOR:
Company: Private consultant
Address: Esslenstrasse 26, CH-8280, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
Contact: Max Bolliger
Phone: Unknown
Fax: Unknown

FEATURES:
Version: 2.2

System Type: LCA oriented towards packaging systems with equivalency and scarcity
based impact characterization methods.

Data: Includes two sets of data modules for energy carriers, materials production and
transportation. One set of data are derived from the Swiss BUWAL (Swiss Office for the
Protection of the Environment, Forests, and Scenery) study of 1992. (Note: This study is
being updated and expanded and new data are expected in 1996.) Some data are included
for process operations associated with packaging materials (film production, blow
molding, injection molding, and lacquer application) and commodity materials
manufacturing for typical packaging items, e.g., aluminum, glass, various commodity
thermoplastics (HD-PE, LD-PE, PA, PET, PP, PS, HIPS, PVC), various papers and paper
boards, and tin-plate. A second data set represents an average of European data primarily
from the Boustead database. The Euro-average data are less complete. Data are in SI
units. All of the data are believed to be secondary except for some European average data
on electrical energy systems and polymer resin production collected by Ian Boustead and
the APME. Very limited capability for user input data fields are provided in the model.
No explicit data quality indicators are used.

User Interface: The current version of EcoPack2000 is in English. The user manual has
also been translated to English, however, the detailed documentation of the methods and
database work up are in German.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The topmost analysis unit is the product description. Once
the user identifies the system(s) of interest and selects the database to be used, the actual
definition of the profile is performed by inputting the mass of the various units used for the
material inputs, e.g., 10 grams of aluminum with 100 percent recycled content and 50
grams of glass with 74.8 percent recycled content. In addition to specifying the materials
(which in principle incorporates the rolled up energy and emissions to produce the
designated amounts of the material, and presumably inclusive of the inherent energy), the
user specifies additional processing and transport operations. Some of the choices are not
obvious from the on-screen information or the limited available help file. The user manual

9
is very sketchy on how to add the miscellaneous operations, although some of the possible
choices can be discerned with some thought. For example, the burdens from a car
equipped with a catalytic converter are included by inputting the number of km traveled.
Similarly, the other transportation segments are added via specification of the tonne-km
used, necessitating some off-line effort to estimate these quantities.

Loops (e.g., recycling) are solved via a mathematical process not described in any detail in
the documentation. The user can insert various recycling rates for selected materials as
appropriate. Energy credits are applied for post-consumer recovery of energy from
incineration facilities. The inherent energy of the material is multiplied by the fraction of
waste incinerated and the fraction of incineration facilities in Switzerland (neither of which
is user accessible for modification) to derive the credit. The reduction in virgin material
requirements for a recycled product is credited based on the fraction recycled. Co-
product allocation is made on a basis not described anywhere in the documentation but
presumed to be identical to that used in the BUWAL study, which is based on the relative
mass of products produced. The lack of user capability to define the nature of the system
and the linking of operations makes the LCI portion of this model very limited in respect
to supporting applications to systems other than packaging.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): The impact assessment method partially follows SETAC
guidelines for that portion that is based on equivalency conversions. There is no attempt
to define the full range of classification factors that may be applicable to a given product
or service system. Both the “critical volumes” approach, which relies on the computation
of a dimensionless ratio of the inventory output divided by a regulatory standard, and the
Eco-Points Method, which assigns environmental load points based on the relationship of
a particular inventory parameter to a target, have been discussed in the LCA literature and
considered in the SETAC LCIA framework development. However, the limited capability
to compute critical volumes for the range of impacts now considered relevant to LCA and
the specific constraint of the Eco-Points Method to Swiss or German conditions,
particularly as implemented in this program, make it very limited for application elsewhere.
(Note: A more flexible software package for implementing this method, from the
standpoint of allowing greater user input of the system decryption, is available as the
EcoPro model. However, the more fundamental problem of defining the appropriate
algorithm for the calculation of the number of eco-points per functional unit of emission
remains.)

Output: Both text and graphics output support are provided. The basic program menu
screen is used to compile the results according to the comparison of alternatives desired.
Up to five systems can be defined and the results presented at one time. The text output
consists of a set of tables whose content consists of total system energy usage and
aggregated critical volumes to air, water, landfill as well as the computed total eco-points.
Actual inventory load values are not available. Numerical values for the output are
provided as point estimates; no uncertainty information is given and any sensitivity analysis

10
 is done manually. Simple bar-chart graphics are available from the print menu. Printer
support is minimal. Import or export of data or results files is not supported.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Not available in U.S.; customization and user support available through
the author.

Operating System: DOS 3.2 or higher

Hardware Requirements: 286 processor, 640 K RAM, and 1 MB disk space, minimum.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: Approximately $5800

Demo Availability: Yes

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: More than 9

Targeted Type of Users: Non-expert users; the model generally very straightforward to
operate.

Published Reports: SETAC LCANews, Vol 5, No. 2, March 1995.

11
SOFTWARE: GaBi

VENDOR:
Company: Institut für Kunststoffprüfung und Kunststoffkunde
and, PE (address and phone/fax listed below)
Address: Product Engineering GmbH, Kelterstrasse 93, D-73265
Dettingen/Teck, Germany
Contact: unknown
Phone: +49 7021 942 660
Fax: +49 7021 942 661

FEATURES:
Version: 2.0

System Type: LCI and Impact Assessment model

Data: The database includes 800 different energy and material flows. Each flow belongs
to a flow group which allows the user to develop a hierarchical system. For example: PP
granules below to the flow group raw materials; an aluminum fender belongs to the flow
group parts; and CO2 belongs to the flow group emissions to air. Ten generic process
types which contain 400 specific industrial processes are also included in the database.
The 10 process types include 1) industrial processes, 2) transportation, 3) mining, 4)
power plants, 5) transformation processes, 6) servicing, 7) cleaning, 8) repairing, 9) wear,
and 10)processes of reduced consumption. Flows are contained within these process
types. Multi-functional dialogue boxes allow user to input and edit data and comments as
desired (not clearly demonstrated). Besides common process data from around the world,
the database consists of special data from IKP research and cooperation with industrial
companies from different sectors in Germany. No indication of data quality was specified.

User Interface: Demonstration disc (non-interactive) is in English. A full version of the

software is only available in German; an English version is expected out in mid-/late-1996.
The user develops the product system for analysis through a graphical Plan window.
Data editing and entry from this window is supported. Software offers on-line help, as
well as image and text editing.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The modular design of the model distinguishes between six
working areas: inventory (i.e., flows), scenarios, methods, balances, valuations, and
general tools. Only the inventory area of the software, used to create the system under
evaluation, was demonstrated (non-interactively). A system is developed using the
graphic Plan window of the program. Sub-processes in a system can be developed on
separate plans, saved, and later combined in the system plan. The software layers these
connected plans and allows easy for easy transfer between layers.

12
 Plans are developed by simply dragging and dropping industry types from the tool box
displayed on the Plan window. Flows between industry types are created by dragging a
line between them. Database parameters can be viewed for any industrial type from the
Plan window. The use of text and image editors, though not demonstrated, allow the user
to change plans and specify process data. The method of calculation was not
demonstrated or explained within the demonstration material.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): The valuation area of the software allows the user to
define the criteria of valuation. Monetary, technical, and ecological assessments are
possible. Weighting keys for the valuation criteria allow the user to realize individual
preferences. The non-interactive demonstration, however, did not allow this feature to be
demonstrated or tested. Literature describing the software states, 'the standard LCIA
method is subdivided into five steps: selection of the critical ecological fields;
classification; determination of the impact assignments; standardization; and evaluation.'
Ecological fields can be classified using indexes stored in the database (e.g., resource
consumption, ozone depletion, release of toxic effective substances, acidification, etc.).

Output: Several balance sheets are available within the software, including energy, mass,
and valuated balances. Export of balance sheets to MS Excel applications is possible.
From the non-interactive demonstration, it was apparent that calculation summary sheets
can be customized. Graphical display of results was not explicitly discussed in the demo.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Unknown

Operating System: DOS, MS Windows

Hardware Requirements: Unknown

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: Approximately $10,000 (14,000 DM)

Demo Availability: Only non-interactive demonstration disc with no manual

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: Unknown

Targeted Type of Users: Experienced LCA practitioner; graphical interface and various
analysis areas may lend themselves to a more novice user.
Published Reports: Unknown

13
SOFTWARE: KCL-ECO

VENDOR:
Company: Oy Keskuslaboratorio - Centrallaboratorium Ab (The Finnish Pulp and
Paper Research Institute)
Address: Tekniikantie 2, P.O. Box 70, FIN-02150 Espoo, Otaniemi, Finland
Contact: Tiina Pajula
Phone: 358-9-43-711
Fax: 358-9-464-305

FEATURES:
Version: 1.0 for Windows

System Type: LCI

Data: KCL-ECO does not include data modules other than fictional ones used in
demonstration flowsheets. KCL-ECODATA is a separate product containing modules
based on Finnish and general European data related to the pulp and paper industry and its
related services. There are free text fields available for documentation of information
sources. However, one of the unusual features of this program is that the relationships
among the inputs and outputs of a unit operation are determined by a set of linear
equations together with the functional unit definition. Therefore, unlike the situation
where input and output data quality become the sole basis for establishing the
uncertainties, the uncertainty in an equation may be specified as a range. This range later
can be incorporated into a formal sensitivity analysis. Based on a review of the data
contained in the sample library, individual data set documentation appears to be minimal.
Other than the range estimates other data quality attributes are not used.

To facilitate construction of complex systems, the process and conveyance modules from
other libraries and other flow sheets may be cut and pasted into a scenario that is being
developed. Upon clicking the “add from library” button, the user enters a dialog box to
choose which modules are to be selected. After identifying the module(s), pushing the
“use” button pastes them onto the flowsheet where the appropriate flow connections may
be made.

User Interface: The KCL-ECO program takes advantage of the Windows graphical user
interface. The placement on and positioning of modules within the work surface can be
done via the usual “drag and drop” functions. Flow connections and other operations are
controlled by selecting the item from the toolbar or from the pull down menus. Double
clicking on a module box or flow connection opens a dialog box for definition/selection of
input variables, output variables, and specification of linking equations. The screen
presentation actually consists of two panes, one showing the flow diagram and one

14
showing the results. As the calculations are performed, the results screen is updated so
that it is possible to have intermediate results available before the entire system is defined.
LCI Calculation Method(s): The KCL-ECO program uses either a sequential or a
sparse linear matrix equation solver (method not specified) to solve the set of derived
equations describing the system. It is unclear how the LCI calculation treats over-
determined systems (where the number of equations exceeds the number of variables) or
how iteration to solve recycling loops is accomplished. As far as can be ascertained there
is no need for a user specified tolerance to terminate calculations in iteratively solved
equation sets, although more than one computational strategy is available. The default
appears to be the sequential method. All of the details of the calculations at each stage are
preserved in both the calculations and the reports. One could, for example, solve for just a
subset of processes. The level of disaggregation is dependent entirely on how the user
defined the equations. If the relationships were specified in highly aggregated terms, then
the calculation would be on this basis. The only requirement is to have the requisite
number of equations. The user determines their form and can have more than one way to
specify a given system (which does not result in different answers).

The method for co-product allocation is not discussed in the user manual. In KCL-ECO
version 1.0, the user is expected to perform co-product allocation when defining the
equations of appropriate modules. The program does not track inherent energy separately
from other energy flows. In fact, energy is only shown in the LCI summary in energy
units when it is derived from electricity; other energy carriers are shown as the material
quantities.

An unusual and highly desirable feature of KCL-ECO is the inclusion of an uncertainty

propagation method in the basic computational engine. The user may select either a quick
method in which the variables contributing the most to the flows are automatically
selected or an exact method where the user can specify the variables, their statistical
distribution (normal or uniform), and the uncertainty range. The Monte Carlo method is
employed with a user specified number of cycles (2000 is the default).

LCIA Calculation Method(s): Not applicable

Output: The output from KCL-ECO is very detailed and arranged in a very logical
manner. The report lists, by module, all of the inputs, outputs and governing equations
along with the specified amounts. Any notes entered in the text filed are printed at the top
of each section. These details are followed by a summary results section for the system as
a whole followed by a listing of all of the variable names, units, quantities and group
designation, e.g. emissions to air. Finally, if a sensitivity analysis is performed a
distribution along with descriptive statistics is provided. The flow diagram can also be
printed. The report can be saved as a text file for later workup via a text processor.
There is no apparent capability for graphical presentation of results.

15
COMPUTING:

User Support: Because this model has been developed by an industry technical institute,
it is unclear whether independent user support is available apart from the institute staff.
The user manual is clearly written and the on-line help capability better than average.
Most users should have minimal need for continuing off-line support.

Operating System: Windows 3.1 or later; DOS 5.0 or higher, Filemaker Pro needed to
run database

Hardware Requirements: 486-SX Processor or better; 3 MB hard disk space; SVGA

display.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: KCL-ECO program $3,600; KCL-ECODATA $2,400; $24 per
custom module (1995 prices)

Demo Availability: Yes

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: As of August 1996: 50 within the Finnish forest industry; 20 external
clients.

Targeted Type of Users: Research and environmental management staff within

companies; independent research institutes; LCA practitioners.

Published Reports: None known

16
SOFTWARE: LCA Inventory Tool (LCAiT)

VENDOR:
Company: Chalmers Industriteknik
Address: Chalmers Teknikpark, S-412 88 Göteborg, Sweden
Contact: Lisa Person
Phone: 46-31-772-4237
Fax: 46-31-82-7421

FEATURES:
Version: 2.0

System Type: LCI with integral database and limited capability to apply valuation index
factors to the raw inventory data.

Data: The program provides a limited database for energy carriers and production and
for transportation modes. Complete cradle-to-gate life-cycles for a limited number of
chemicals, plastics, pulp and paper products are also included. Additional data are
available and the author’s organization can create additional data sets. Data developed for
one life-cycle scenario can be saved and imported into another analysis. Imported data
can consist of a single process or transport card or an entire life-cycle. This latter
situation may be useful if an improvement assessment consists of only limited substitution
of new materials or processes compared to the baseline. The data documentation in the
two supplied databases is contained in a notes box associated with each process and
transport mode. The data provided are well documented as to the source and consist of a
mix of primary information obtained during the LCA studies of the authors and secondary
data from the general European data sets shared by most practitioners, e.g., the energy
portion of the Boustead/PWMI plastics data and the BUWAL data. No North American
data are presently resident in either data set.

There are no attempts to provide any quality assessment of the data. Data are in SI units
and the program is sensitive to the mixing of units among processes.

User Interface: The program uses some of the graphical interface capabilities in
Windows to facilitate setting up the flow diagram and defining the governing relationships.
However, there are some limitations and not all of the features are implemented as
intuitively as some of the other Windows-based LCA programs.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The program solves a set of linear equations based on the
flow connections defined for each of the process and transport cards selected and on the
definition of a special card that defines the reference flow (usually the functional unit.)
For cards with multiple flows the user must specify the percentage of the total flow
allocated to each flow. If this is not done correctly so that the totals balance, the program

17
 will not calculate the life-cycle. Also, not more than 16 material inflows can be specified
for each process card. Although this will not be a limitation in most cases, it is a potential
problem for complicated processes. The program also has some limitations in dealing with
the splitting of flows once they have been aggregated. For example, a series of materials
comprising a package that are co-mingled at the consumer stage cannot easily be
separated back into their individual entities for waste management and recycling. The
program does maintain the separate calculation of the inherent and process energy
components if the user has set up the description in this manner.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): Essentially not applicable although there is a capability to

assign multipliers to selected emissions in order to create a relative weighting scale. So
for example a factor of 10 could be assigned to methane to indicate its global warming
potential per unit emission mass is 10 times that of carbon dioxide. Another way this
could be used is to express relative importance of various emissions/categories relative to
one another. Thus, if toxic chemicals were determined to be very important, all of the
emissions could be factored by 100 to elevate their significant relative to more
conventional material emissions.

Output: A variety of copying and printing options is available. The Windows copy
capability allows cutting and pasting of the flow diagram into a text processor as a meta-
file. The inventory summary graph may also be copied to a text processor. Export to
other programs is also available via the “Export” command. Exportable information
includes the entire active life cycle to a text file, a cross tabulated matrix showing the
emissions and energies in the rows and the process and transport cards across the
columns, or the inventory profile listing the energies and emissions into a tab-delimited file
readable by LOTUS and Excel.

COMPUTING:

User Support: User support is available from the authors who also can assist with data
acquisition. The user’s manual is also reasonably clear and easy to follow with simple
examples to illustrate key features.

Operating System: DOS, Windows 3.1 or better, database runs on an internal platform
not exportable

Hardware Requirements: 486 processor with 2 MB RAM and 2.5 MB hard drive space
minimum.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: $3,500 approximate 1995 price

Demo Availability: Yes

18
CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: Exact number unknown but is one of the more popular programs in
Europe.

Targeted Type of Users: Program is straightforward enough to be used by non-expert

users but a moderate level of understanding of materials and energy flow modeling would
be helpful to understand some of the underlying assumptions and avoid the limitations.

Published Reports: SETAC LCA news, Vol. 3, No. 5 and Vol. 5, No. 4; also mentioned
in several theses and other academic studies in Sweden. Used as part of a large eco-
design project in Scandinavia.

19
SOFTWARE: Life Cycle Interactive Modeling System (LIMS)

VENDOR:
Company: Chem Systems, Inc.
Address: 303 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591-5487
Contact: Don F. Bari
Phone: 914-631-2828
Fax: 914-631-8851

FEATURES:
Version: Not specified

System Type: LCI for simple and multi component systems, assessment and economics.

Data: Presently contains over 1,000 modules (i.e., emission data files) representing raw
material extraction, manufacturing, utility generation, transport, recycling, and waste
disposal. Geographic coverage is primarily North America, with some European and
Japanese data. Both SI and English units are available. The user has the option to input
independent data or use the default modules. No explicit data quality indicators are used.

User Interface: Software and manual are in English

LCI Calculation Method(s): An assessment begins by the user defining a product or

process of primary interests. LIMS then "automatically" creates the up-stream ("cradle")
process and material pathways, and the down-stream ("grave") pathways (as interpreted
from the non -interactive demonstration disc).

Modules are used to represent a step or series of steps in the product network. As each
module is selected to create a system, the user is required to input factors which define
how the inputs and energy/environmental burdens associated with the module should be
allocated among the outputs of the module. Though flexibility was stated as a feature of
LIMS within this allocation process, the various methods and how they apply were not
clearly identified. After the modules have been completed, the “linking and solution”
algorithm of the model links all modules through their inputs and outputs. This algorithm
solves the overall network to provide the net resource and environmental burdens
associated with the product network.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): LIMS translates the inventory data into assessment
categories according to their environmental burden classification (e.g., global warming,
ozone depletion, etc.). Where relative factors are available, each species in a category is
converted to a common category basis. Assessment categories include, but are not limited
to, acid rain precursors, global warming, bioaccumulation, VOC, etc. The default factors
in the model can be replaced with user-defined values.

20
 Economic Calculation Method(s): The demonstration software and literature did not
clearly present the method by which LIMS translates environmental burdens to economic
indicators.

Outputs: Graphic and database presentation of results is possible. The model can be
used to determine the contribution of any module to the net burden. For the assessment of
competing products, or of alternative process or recycling options, LIMS provides a
“bullet” comparison, or weighted burden categories ( ), to represent the impact
assessment results. Up to four unique LCI cases can be compared (viewed) at one time.
The user can also print tables or graphs in a Lotus format. Data and results export was
not explicitly stated.

COMPUTING:

User Support: On a consultant basis for an annual fee.

Operating System: DOS, Windows 3.1+, and Lotus 5.0+

Hardware Requirements: IBM compatible 486/66, 8 MB RAM, and 12 MB of free

hard disk capacity.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: $25,000 which includes 200 default database modules.
Additional modules are $2,000 each.

Demo Availability: Yes, non-interactive, no users’ manual provided.

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: Unknown

Targeted Type of User: Experienced LCA practitioner or novice with consulting

assistance from Chem Systems, Inc.

Published Reports: Unknown

21
SOFTWARE: Pira Environmental Management System (PEMS)

VENDOR:
Company: Pira International
Address: Randalls Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT 22 RU, United Kingdom
Contact: Carolynn Ponsford
Phone: 44 0 1372 802000
Fax: 44 0 1372 802238

FEATURES:
Version: 3.1

System Type: LCI covering materials, transportation, energy, and waste management as
well as LC impact assessment capabilities (problem or medium oriented).

Data: Full range of standard LCI analysis studies calculating Western European averages,
and European site-specific data. Database is fully annotated with explanations of data
sources and assumptions made to arrive at presented information. Included in the package
are inventories for 109 materials, 49 energy sources, 16 transportation options, and 37
waste management options. Data included in PEMS Model cannot be changed/edited.
User specified data entry is an option.

User Interface: Database and full/demo manual are in English. System management
(development of flow schemes) is accomplished pictorially and in tabular form.

LCI Calculation Method(s): All data are calculated back to a functional unit (e.g., X
pounds of detergent or so many gross of nails). The working template is a pictorial
working sheet onto which processes are added by process blocks. With each process
block comes burden information (not including closed loop materials/energy inputs or
outputs) which is added to an underlying Excel spreadsheet which performs the
calculations. Any number of energy and material inputs/outputs can be added to the
template. Connections created between any series of blocks represent either energy or
material flows; with each material flow the user is prompted to specify (if desired)
transportation burdens. Distribution blocks can also be added to the system spreadsheet
which allow the combination or splitting of multiple material streams. The allocation of
emissions between co-products can be accomplished/determined through a variety of
factors; avoided emissions system, allocation by weight, allocation by energy content,
allocation by chemistry and allocation by economics are each explained within the manual.
Distribution blocks offer the user the capability to choose between these options. A
variety of options is also described and available for recycled and re-used material/energy
streams. A mass balance for each process block is automatically performed.

22
 LCIA Calculation Method(s): Two impact assessment calculation methods are available
within the PEMS software: problem-oriented and media-oriented, critical- volume
assessment methods. Problem-oriented impact assessment is accomplished through three
steps. First, the inventory data are aggregated according to the relative contributions
made to ten environmental concerns. Relative impacts to each environmental concern use
factors obtained from a single documented source. Normalization represents the second
step and relates the process emissions to world annual effect scores. Valuation represents
the final assessment step and is used to calculate a single number for a product system.
PEMS leaves the determination of weighting factors to the user in this valuation step.

Media-oriented, critical-volumes assessment calculations are also possible with this

software. In this method, inventory data are aggregated into air, water or soil/land
emissions. Once aggregated, regulatory standards are used to calculate the volumes of air
and water that would be necessary to dilute the emissions to such an extent regulatory
standards are met. Limit values are German/Swiss.

Output: Both tabular text and graphics outputs are possible. Summary reports present
inventory data by combining similar columns (i.e., Entered Data, Linked Materials, Linked
Energy, Transport, and Waste Management or other user defined categories). Standard
templates (up to 25) can be used or edited for graphical output.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Telephone hotline and PEMS Users Club.

Operating System: MS-DOS version 3.1 or higher, Windows 3.1 or higher, and Excel
version 4 or 5.

Hardware Requirements: IBM 386 or higher, minimum of 4 MB of RAM if running

Excel 4, or 6 MB of RAM if running Excel 5.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: $9150 (£6000) for industry; $4600 (£3000) for research and
educational establishments; $3800 (£2500) individual licence.

Demo Availability: Yes

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: Unknown

23
Targeted Type of User: Graphic interface allows novice users to perform LCI analysis,
yet the system supports a complex system which could be developed by an experienced
LCA practitioner.

Published Reports: Unknown

24
SOFTWARE: Product Improvement Analysis (PIA)

VENDOR:
Company: Instituut voor Toegepaste Milieu Economie (TME)
Distributor: PRé Consultants
Address: Grote Marktstraat 24, 2511 BJ ‘s-Gravenhage, The Netherlands
Contact: Myriam van Niekirk (TME)
Phone: 31-70-346-4422 (TME); 31-33-461-1046 (PRe')
Fax: 31-70-362-3469 (TME); 31-33-465-2853 (PRe')

FEATURES:
Version: 1.2

System Type: LCI with the added ability to input “soft” inventory items such as thermal
waste (heat), other residues (e.g., radiation), nuisances, resource scarcity, life time, and
space occupancy. These latter fields could be used to track a limited “impact” issue list.

Data: There is an embedded data set with information of two types - Dutch data
collected by the authors of the software or other Dutch consulting/research organizations
and the BUWAL Swiss/European data set. Most of the data appear to be secondary,
except for those obtained by the authors during their LCI studies. The data sources are
generally well documented. Data and process documentation fields are provided for each
data item and process.

User Interface: The user creates the system specification by identifying processes and
operations and linking them. The linking is done by connecting the product of one process
with the raw materials or ingredients of the next. Additional types of processes, each with
unique characteristics, are provided for transportation operations, energy processes, and
waste management. The system flow diagram can be displayed in pictorial form on the
screen via the “tree” function and several options are available to control the complexity
of what is shown. The normal mode displays all linked operations and provides full detail
in the results matrix. The choices are “half-consolidated,” “consolidated,” and “stripped.”
A half-consolidated process is one where all of the upstream entries have been collapsed
into the process and the outputs represent the “rolled-up” sums of the process and its
preceding steps in both the tree view and the results matrix. Half-consolidated processes
can be toggled to normal status if the additional detail is desired. A consolidated process
is similar except that the consolidation is permanent. Finally, the stripped process loses all
of its links with the other processes. This mode is used primarily to export a process
whose linked details are sensitive or to ensure that a subsequent user does not gain access
to these details.

LCI Calculation Method(s): Once satisfied that the material balance for a process has
been specified to an acceptable level (the program tracks this in the process summary

25
 sheet), the process may be saved as part of the database. The material balance calculations
include a category of output termed “by-products.” Unlike “co-products,” by-products
are not used in another process nor do they carry shares of the allocated burdens. The
user then defines the linkages among the system elements, either selecting from the
process/transport/energy library (via a screen menu) or creating new application-specific
items. When a link is established, the program performs a set of spreadsheet functions to
allow the continuing expansion of the system until all links have been defined. The
preferred means of creating the system definition is top down, i.e. A B C D E; limited
capability is available for bottom up or random construction and problems with the
calculations can occur if these modes are used without great care.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): Not applicable

Output: The output menu allows the presentation of results (including the tree view)
selected by the user to the screen, to a printer, or to an ASCII file. The emissions matrix
can also be exported via the creation of a DIF file to a spreadsheet. The content of the
output is created by selecting the processes to be displayed and the individual data fields in
a process. The table format is fixed. Various combinations of the processes and data fields
can be specified and saved during a session as a “set” through a marking procedure that
defines a grouping of processes and their associated data fields. These sets are not
permanent. Once the user leaves the output menu, the defined sets are erased. The PIA
program contains no graphical output capability. Additional presentation of graphical
information and or the product tree will need to be done by post-processing the ASCII or
DIF file.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Available from PRé; no North American vendors or technical

representatives are known.

Operating System: DOS, version 3.3 or higher; network compatible with Novell version
2.0 or higher, Windows

Hardware Requirements: 286 processor, 640 K RAM, and 1 MB hard drive space
minimum; 486 processor preferred.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: $1,400 (1994)

Demo Availability: Yes

26
CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: Unknown

Targeted Type of Users: The PIA program is simple enough that non-expert users can
run it, although some of the data creation, display, and maintenance functions would be
better served by an expert in an organization.

Published Reports: SETAC LCA News, Vol. 3, No. 5 and Vol. 5, No. 2.; also listed in the
“LCA Sourcebook.”

27
SOFTWARE: Resource and Environmental Profile Analysis Query (REPAQ)

VENDOR:
Company: Franklin Associates, Ltd. (FAL)
Address: 4121 W. 83rd St., Suite 108, Prairie Village, KS 66208
Contact: Bruce Kusko
Phone: 913-649-2225
Fax: 913-649-6494

FEATURES:
Version: 1.0

System Type: LCI

Data: Selected data on packaging materials and configurations from the FAL LCI
database have been inserted in the model. The data represent average U.S. conditions and
include all the necessary modules from cradle-to-grave aggregated into the packaging
system. The user cannot access the database directly and has no ability to extract
materials or processes individually. The process data are a combination of primary and
secondary data sources. The energy production, transportation, and raw materials
extraction processes are exclusively secondary data while the intermediate materials and
final packaging assembly processes combine some literature data with average process
descriptions derived from FAL’s application of LCI methodology to various packaging
systems over a period of years. The embedded database size is not precisely known but at
a minimum encompasses hundreds of individual processes for most common packaging
materials.

User Interface: The user screens consist of a combination of menu bars and pop-up
menus from which various functions may be accessed. The information fields required for
definition of a complete packaging system are:

• Package Name - allows both a specific name and selected characteristics to be attached to the
name, e.g., bleach, 1 gal, 10%, indicating both the size and recycled content,
• Description - allows a more complete specification of the system, including individual
components and materials,
• Basis - can be any meaningful quantity of the packaging system but usually is the functional
unit,
• Component Name - the description identifying the separate components of the package, e.g.,
PP cap,
• Materials/Fabrication Method - the specification, provided in a pop-up menu of the category of
material and the associated process, e.g., PL: HDPE blow-molded, where PL stands for
plastic, MT for metal, and so on.

28
• Weights - the exact amount of the component in pounds per basis unit; REPAQ does not
perform this analysis automatically as do some other software packages. The user must
calculate the specified amounts and pounds must be used, and
• Recycle % - this field is used to insert specific information for either the post-consumer
recovery rate or the recycled content (but generally not both); some error may be introduced
by the assumption used to implement this feature for paper based systems and to a lesser extent
plastic-based systems.

Additional user-specified materials and operations cannot be entered in REPAQ as leased;

FAL can provide additional or custom data augmentation.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The basic computational process used by REPAQ starts
with the development of modules for each of the relevant operations that make up the
package system. A materials balance is constructed for some arbitrary but convenient unit
of product output, say 1000 lbs, and all inputs and other outputs are scaled accordingly.
Energy requirements for each module are determined in terms of either fuels entering
directly into the operation or indirectly via energy in the form of steam or electricity. A
set of flow sheets describing the interconnection of all of the cradle-to-grave processes is
prepared for each material. Then, given the user-specified basis, the calculated amounts of
each material, and working backwards from the final package, the proportionate energy
and emissions are computed for the system. Credits are given for recycling in proportion
to the displacement of virgin materials and for post-consumer energy recovery in
proportion to the heating values of the materials and typical combustion efficiencies/heat
recoveries in municipal incinerators.

As is typical with FAL LCI’s they apply a consistent set of assumptions to their
calculations even though some of these may differ from typical international practice.
Some of the potentially more consequential ones include:

Energy of Material Resource: The fuel equivalent of input raw material s traditionally used
as fuels in the U.S. is recorded as energy consumption to the system. Furthermore, FAL
does not compute fuel equivalent values for raw materials not used as fuels. In the case of
packaging this predominantly affects wood used for corrugated, paperboard, and paper.

Co-Product Allocation: FAL considers two categories of output co-products: 1) situations

where the items to be allocated consist of the product of interest and one or more co-
products independent economic viability, 2) situations where the primary product is the
reason that the process exists and where the co-products are given away or have marginal
value. Little or no co-product allocation is done in the latter case. Examples of this
situation are mine tailings or power plant ash used for road building and animal manures
used for farm field application as soil supplements.

Insignificant System Components: Contributions from capital equipment, space

conditioning, support personnel requirements, e.g. R&D, sales, and administrative
29
 activities, and miscellaneous materials and additives (in total <1 percent of net inputs) are
excluded.
LCIA Calculation Method(s): Not applicable

Output: Both tabular and graphical output are available. About a dozen different report
content items can be chosen depending on the application. These may be compared for up
to 5 different layouts (systems) at once:

• Atmospheric Emissions by Component/Layout - shows both the individual component and

total system values for that component or layout which generates the maximum of that
pollutant; FAL’s methodology does not allow the reader access to any individual steps in the
life-cycle; emission parameters are limited to a few of the more common ones available from
the literature or from regulatory monitoring programs,
• Atmospheric Emissions by Pollutant - lists each atmospheric pollutant by each component or
layout,
• Energy Profile - reports in millions of BTU the fuels consumed for each component or layout
without credit for energy recovery in post-consumer waste-to-energy systems,
• Energy Usage by Category - shows the net energy (with recovery credit) for each
component/layout but broken out by material resource (feed stock energy contained in the
material, e.g. natural gas energy in polyethylene, and process and transportation energy
contributions,
• Energy Usage by Category/Graph - presents a bar chart of the data from the previous report,
• Solid Waste Generation - summarizes the amounts of solid waste by weight and volume
broken out by categories of process waste, fuel-related waste, and post-consumer waste for
each component and layout,
• Solid Waste Generation - Weight or Volume/Graph - presents the weight or volume data for
solid waste in bar graph format,
• Summary of Energy Usage and Solid Waste - presents two data sets in one table,
• Waterborne Emissions by Component/Layout - similar to atmospheric emissions table, and
• Waterborne Emissions by Pollutant - similar to corresponding atmospheric emissions table.

Reports may be output to any of three devices - the screen, a printer, or an ASCII file.
From the ASCII file additional post-processing may be done.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Available through FAL; limited training and consulting provided with
lease.

Operating System: Paradox database, runtime version. DOS

30
 Hardware Requirements: 386/486 processor with 4 MB RAM recommended; 3 to 5
MB hard drive space required depending on need for separate installation of runtime
version of Paradox.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: $10,000 for first year lease; negotiable for subsequent years.

Demo Availability: Demo discs and manual

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: Unknown

Targeted Type of Users: Non-expert users in the packaging engineering or design

departments of industrial companies.

Published Reports: SETAC News, Vol. 2, No. 4; Vol 3, No. 5; Vol. 3, No. 6, and Vol. 5, No.
2.; also used as part of the SETAC LCA short course in 1994.

31
SOFTWARE: SimaPro

VENDOR:
Company: PRé Consultants
Address: Bergstraat 6, 3811 NH Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Contact: Mark Goedekoop
Phone: 31-33-461-1046
Fax: 31-33-465-2853

FEATURES:
Version: 3.1S

System Type: Full LCA with multiple methods for impact assessment

Data: The SimaPro database is one of the more comprehensive ones. Compared with
those supplied in other LCA software packages, the database on processes for production
of commodity materials is more comprehensive and includes a greater variety of processes
associated with non-packaging related materials. All of the embedded data are fully
referenced as to their source and there are limited qualitative descriptions of data sets that
are considered to be old or weak. No other formal data quality assessment procedures are
used. All of the data (with a very few minor exceptions) are for European or more
specifically Dutch conditions. The data are primarily secondary in nature, especially those
for general European conditions, but there is a significant amount of data from specific
LCA studies conducted by the authors.

User Interface: The developers of SimaPro have done a remarkable job of emulating a
graphical user interface in a DOS-based product. The features of the interface include
pull-down menus, mouse support, and point and click activation of many of the features.
Although the screen displays are not as smooth or polished as those in a true graphical
user interface environment, most users will not find the difference to be overwhelming.
All of the on-screen information as well as the user manual are in English.

LCI Calculation (Method(s): The user sets up a system by describing the sequence of
operations involved in making, using, and disposing/recycling via a set of dialog sheets
selected via the menu. The extensive substance and process library means it is likely that
typical users will be able to construct many life-cycles without extensive input of new
data. The data are kept disaggregated by parameters during the inventory calculations and
not aggregated until the impact assessment.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): The impact assessment component of SimaPro consists

of a set of buttons designated as “characterization,” “normalization,” and “valuation” to
correspond to the current SETAC nomenclature for LCIA. The program accumulates the
inventory data into 11 classes of impact issues ranging from global ones, such as ozone

32
 depletion, to local ones, such as heavy metals. The characterization method is not
discussed in detail in the limited on-line help capability, but based on discussions with
Dutch LCA practitioners, probably consists of equivalency factors for each of the
inventory compounds/materials. Some of the equivalency conversions used are not
universally agreed upon; however, there is no international standard to provide a basis for
judgement either. The normalization method is based on the Dutch Eco-indicators
approach in which a defined target for environmental quality has been defined and agreed
to by various groups in The Netherlands. Relevancy of the regional or local indicators to
conditions outside of the Netherlands is debatable. The indicators are used to compare the
particular system under study to the target. The further removed from the target the
overall environmental performance and the greater the contribution from the studied
system, the higher the normalization value for a given environmental issue. A valuation
capability to compare across impact categories thereby deriving a single value from the
LCA is also included, however, the method of determination of the weights is not
discussed in the on-line help. Because the user manual available is somewhat old, any
comments about this portion of the LCIA should be deferred.

Output: SimaPro provides both textual and graphical output. The user can toggle
between the two modes to decide how best to view the data. In the text mode output is
presented for each of the steps from inventory to valuation. In the graphical mode two
views are possible. One shows the results of the calculations as a bar chart according to
the data or impact categories. The other view, which shows the flow diagram, contains a
feature which is unique to SimaPro. In this mode the program inserts a small bar on the
right of each process or transport box to illustrate the contribution of that part to the
overall system or some subset. Depending on which output item is selected, this is either
the inventory loading, the raw impact equivalencies, or the aggregated impact information.

COMPUTING:

User Support: User support is available through PRé Consultancy. The user manual
available at present is an older one and may not be representative of current offerings. It
covers most topics in a non-detailed fashion but the content and the writing could be
better. Unfortunately the on-line help is limited so that users will likely turn to the manual
more than otherwise might be the case.

Operating System: DOS 5.0 or higher

Hardware Requirements: 386 or better microprocessor; RAM and hard disc

requirements unknown at this time.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: $3,000 (approximate price for single user analyst version)

33
 Demo Availability: Yes

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: Exact number is unknown but believed to be at least a hundred at

present.

Targeted Type of Users: Two versions are available: an “analyst” version directed at
expert users and LCA practitioners and a less detailed and sophisticated “designer”
version developed for use by product designers and engineers

Published Reports: SETAC LCANews, Vol. 1, No. 5; Vol. 2, Nos. 3 and 4; Vol. 3, No. 5; Vol
5, No. 2: also listed in the “LCA Sourcebook.”

34
SOFTWARE: TEAM

VENDOR:
Company: Ecobalance, Inc. (Member of the Ecobilan Group of Companies)
Address: 15204 Omega Drive, Suite 220, Rockville, MD 20850
Contact: Remi Coulon
Phone: (301) 548-1750
Fax: (301) 548-1760

FEATURES:
Version: 1.15 (Windows 3.1, 3.11, and 95) and 2.0 (Windows 95 and NT)

System Type: LCI and costing module

Data: Model contains ten categories within which are contained 216 individual data files
for product and material production, energy generation and transportation. The ten
categories are as follows: 1) pulp and paper; 2) petrochemicals and plastics; 3) inorganic
chemicals; 4) steel; 5) aluminum; 6) other metals; 7) glass; 8) energy conversion; 9)
transportation; and 10) waste management. Within the full program the source of data is
indicated; data quality indicators (i.e., geographical representation technology used and
date of data) are available. Further data quality indicators are not discussed. User defined
input data fields, as well as database editing, are fully supported by the system. Units are
defined by the user and can be in any system (e.g., metric).

User Interface: Manual and software are in English. Process systems are developed
through a series of menus which prompt the user to specify unit operations and links. No
graphical development of a system is supported in TEAM 1.15 (supported in TEAM
2.0 only)

LCI Calculation Method(s): Two levels are used in TEAM, the database level and
the calculation level. Within the database level, information representing unit operations
(processes, transport etc.) are stored in independent Modules. In the calculations level the
system is developed into which flow the Modules data. Within the system, nodes
represent process steps. Nodes can be linked and grouped to represent subsystems, and
subsystems can be linked to create the total system. Closed loop and recycling
inputs/outputs can be defined within a node by the user. Formulas from the package or
created by the user can calculate various inputs and outputs within the system. This use of
formulas and variables allows the development of a dynamic system which facilitates
sensitivity analyst. There is no limit to the number of nodes and linkages possible within
TEAM.

Outputs: The output of the inventory is displayed in tabular form thru an “Ecoview.”
Articles, defined by the user, represent parameters of interest for output from the system.

35
 Templates, also defined by the user, represent the format by which the articles are
presented in the Ecoview. Thus, the Ecoview is completely defined by the user. No
graphical output is explicitly stated. Inventory results from a system can be exported and
saved as the input for subsequent systems.

COMPUTING:

User Support: On line help; consultant available.

Operating System: IBM-PC compatible, Windows 3.11, Windows for Workgroups

3.11, or Windows 95 (TEAM 1.15); Windows 95 or Windows NT (TEAM 2.0)

Hardware: 486/33 MHz processor, 8 MB RAM and 10 MB free on hard disk

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: $10,000

Demo Availability: Unknown

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: 30 licensees worldwide

Targeted Type of User: Expert LCA practitioner; Ecobalance typically serves as

consultant to establish LCA.

Published Reports:
"Some Requirements of an Interactive Software Tool for Life Cycle Analysis," Journal of
Cleaner Production, Volume 1 Number 3-4, September-December 1993.
SETAC LCANews, Volume 4 Number 4, July 1994.
Environmental Software Report, July/August 1995.

36
SOFTWARE: Total Emission Model for Integrated Systems (TEMIS)

VENDOR:
Company: Oko-Institut
Address: Binzengrun 34a, 79114 Freiburg, Germany
Contact: Uwe Fritsche
Phone: 49-761-473130
Fax: 49-761-475437

FEATURES:
Version: 2.0

System Type: LCI with some equivalency based impact characterization conversions,
e.g., greenhouse gases; also provides for monetary pricing of external costs of air
pollutants and greenhouse gases based on either damage costs (user specific) or control
costs (default); can handle non-quantitative impact assessment of eco-impacts, solid
wastes, and land use via a valuation procedure based on the “relative significance” of each
resource.

Data: includes extensive data modules for energy carriers, production and transportation.
Some data are included for process operations and commodity materials manufacturing.
Data are in SI units, selectively adjustable by the user. Most of the data are believed to be
secondary except for some German specific data on local energy systems collected by the
authors. Documentation data fields are provided in the model and the source of data is
documented. No explicit data quality indicators are used.

User Interface: The current version of TEMIS is in English. The user manual has also
been translated to English, however, the detailed documentation of the methods and
database work up are in German.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The topmost analysis unit is the scenario. A scenario is
created by linking of one or more segments and/or processes. The linking is based on the
functional unit representation and the specified inputs and outputs. A segment is defined
as an aggregation of unit processes. Loops are solved via a mathematical recursion
process comparing the incremental change in a subsequent solution to a user-selectable
delta.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): The impact assessment method partially follows SETAC
guidelines for that portion that is based on equivalency conversions. There is no attempt
to define the full range of classification factors that may be applicable to a given product
or service system, although the user could group or perform some of these operations with
the output information. The external cost calculation routine represents one type of

37
 valuation procedure that has been identified in the LCA literature and implicitly in the
SETAC guidelines but is not explicitly incorporated in either.

Output: Both text and graphics output support are provided. The scenarios menu is
used to compile the results according to the comparison of alternatives desired. Up to 20
scenarios can be loaded at one time. The text output consists of a set of tables whose
content is determined via the user selected choices from a menu. The choices include total
system and local/global splits of energy usage and emissions. Emission groups can be
further selected from several choices: total air emissions, detailed air emissions, land use
and solids, greenhouse gases, user-defined emissions, and user-defined residuals.
Emissions are presented by individual parameter, e.g. SO2. Resources are shown as
primary energy, primary materials, and secondary materials. Qualitative impact factors are
output in a table with minus and plus signs to indicate the relative intensity. Numerical
values are provided as point estimates; no uncertainty information is given and sensitivity
analysis is done manually. Simple bar-chart graphics are available from the scenarios
menu.

A documentation feature allows creation of an ASCII text file to describe scenarios and to
output data to a text processor. Tables are stored in tab-delimited format for import into
spreadsheets or graphics packages. Import-export from/to dBase files is also supported
through field name and characteristic matching.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Not available in U.S.; customization and user support available through
the Oko-Institute.

Operating System: DOS 3.0 or higher

Hardware Requirements: 286 processor, 2 MB RAM, and 2 MB disk space, and DOS
minimum; 486-DX or higher performance processor preferred; supports up to 16 MB of
extended RAM.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: Unknown at this time

Demo Availability: Yes

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: Unknown at present

38
Targeted Type of Users: Expert users in general although model is generally
straightforward to operate.

Published Reports: Numerous application reports including in the USA --

Hohmyer, O. and Ottinger, R, “External environmental costs of electric power - analysis
and internalization,” Berlin, 1991.
Ottinger, R. et al., “Environmental costs of electricity,” report for the NYSERDA, Oceana
Publ., 1990.

39
 Appendix B
Survey of Software Users
To offer additional depth to the evaluation, a survey of current LCA software tool users was
conducted. The two-page survey is presented on the following pages. The survey was used to
assess the current applications of each software tool, the individuals using each tool, and the
impressions gathered by these users of the tools' features and capabilities. PIRA and PRe' asked
that the survey be distributed through them to maintain client confidentiality. Other contacts,
obtained from the software vendors, received the survey by fax directly from the Center for Clean
Products. Table B1 presents the number of surveys distributed and received, as well as the
response rate.

Table B1 - Survey Responses for Each LCA Software Tool

Software Number Distributed Number Received Percent Response

KCL-ECO 2 0 0
LCAiT 1 1 100%
PEMS 18 8 44%
SimaPro (1) 1 -
unknown
TEAM 5 1 20%

(1)
Distribution of the users' survey was conducted through PRe' Consultants to maintain
client confidentiality. The actual number of distributed surveys is not known.

A summary of responses for each software tool follows the example survey form. Percentages
presented in these summaries are calculated using the total number of surveys received, unless
otherwise stated. When percentages do not total 100%, all respondents did not reply to the
question (i.e., No Response).

1
 Survey of LCA Software Users

1. For what purpose is the LCA software tool used? (check all that apply)
ÿ product evaluation
ÿ materials selection
ÿ product design/redesign *
ÿ management decision-making/corporate positioning
ÿ research
ÿ other, please specify

* On a separate sheet of paper, please describe how the software tool is being used to
assist the purpose/function of product design/redesign.

2. How frequently is the software tool used for these purposes?

3. Who within your organizations typically uses the software tool, and what is their experience with
life cycle assessment? (check all that apply)

ÿ environmental staff experience: high medium low

ÿ product designer experience: high medium low
ÿ staff researcher experience: high medium low
ÿ management experience: high medium low
ÿ other, please specify experience: high medium low
ÿ other, please specify experience: high medium low

4. Has support from the software vendor (training and guidance) been required? ÿ yes ÿ no
And, has that support been adequate? ÿ yes ÿ no

5. What other software tools, if any, were evaluated before selecting the software tool you use?

6. What were the primary software characteristics that determined your selection?

7. What data are used for your LCA evaluations? (check one)
ÿ exclusively the data supplied by the software package
ÿ exclusively data collected at your facility/facilities
ÿ a combination of data (e.g., facility-specific data supplemented by life-cycle data from
software package)
8. Since working with your selected software tool, what are the features/capabilities which you find
most attractive?

2
9. For the following features, please evaluate your experience with the software tool. The ease of
learning curve and ease of use are the two factors included in the table below. Please circle the
appropriate response for each feature. If the feature does not apply to the software, please enter a
'NA' to indicate as such.

To those completing this table, what is your experience with LCA? (circle one) high medium low
Feature Learning Curve Ease of Use
Software interface (templates and graphics)
and life-cycle system development (i.e., easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
products, processes, or services)
User-defined database
Importing from spreadsheet easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Manual entry easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Editing
System easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Data and database(s) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Use of descriptive fields and data quality
indicators easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Customized calculations, if applicable
Sensitivity analysis easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Impact assessment easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Comparison of results easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Customized output (i.e., tables/graphs) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult

10. Other Comments:

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3
 Survey of LCA Software Users

1. For what purpose is the LCA software tool used? (check all that apply)
ÿ product evaluation
ÿ materials selection
ÿ product design/redesign *
ÿ management decision-making/corporate positioning
ÿ research
ÿ other, please specify

* identification of 'weak point', search for improvement options (analysis of), analysis of
existing product design

2. How frequently is the software tool used for these purposes? continuously

3. Who within your organizations typically uses the software tool, and what is their experience with
life cycle assessment? (check all that apply)

ÿ environmental staff experience: high medium low

ÿ product designer experience: high medium low
ÿ staff researcher experience: high medium low
ÿ management experience: high medium low
ÿ other, please specify experience: high medium low

4. Has support from the software vendor (training and guidance) been required? ÿ yes ÿ no
And, has that support been adequate? ÿ yes ÿ no

5. What other software tools, if any, were evaluated before selecting the software tool you use?
SimaPro

6. What were the primary software characteristics that determined your selection?
flexibility, transparency, graphical construction of process tree, use of own data

7. What data are used for your LCA evaluations? (check one)
ÿ exclusively the data supplied by the software package
ÿ exclusively data collected at your facility/facilities
ÿ a combination of data (e.g., facility-specific data supplemented by life-cycle data from
software package)

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4
8. Since working with your selected software tool, what are the features/capabilities which you find
most attractive?
graphical construction of process tree, export/import data or results in other software

9. For the following features, please evaluate your experience with the software tool. The ease of
learning curve and ease of use are the two factors included in the table below. Please circle the
appropriate response for each feature. If the feature does not apply to the software, please enter a
'NA' to indicate as such.

To those completing this table, what is your experience with LCA? (circle one) high medium low
Feature Learning Curve Ease of Use
Software interface (templates and graphics) and
life-cycle system development (i.e., products, easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
processes, or services)
User-defined database
Importing from spreadsheet easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Manual entry easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Editing
System easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Data and database(s) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Use of descriptive fields and data quality indicators
easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Customized calculations, if applicable
Sensitivity analysis easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Impact assessment easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Comparison of results easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Customized output (i.e., tables/graphs) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult

10. Other Comments: Impact assessment capabilities are not used; instead, inventories are
exported into Excel and the impact assessment is performed in Excel.

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5
Total Number of Respondents: 8 Survey #: PEMS

Survey of LCA Software Users

1. For what purpose is the LCA software tool used? (check all that apply)
ÿ product evaluation 8 (100%)
ÿ materials selection 6 (75%)
ÿ product design/redesign 3 (38%)
ÿ management decision-making/corporate positioning 5 (63%)
ÿ research 2 (25%)
ÿ other, please specify 4 (50%)
process evaluation (2), education (1), to inform the customer (1)

2. How frequently is the software tool used for these purposes? see Table PEMS1

3. Who within your organizations typically uses the software tool, and what is their experience with
life cycle assessment? (check all that apply)
Experience*
high medium low
environmental staff 4 (50%) 2 (50%) 2 (50%) 0
product designer 0 0 0 0
staff researcher 4 (50%) 0 2 (50%) 1 (25%)
management 1 (13%) 0 1 (100%) 0
other, please specify: student 1 (13%) 0 0 1 (100%)

* Experience percentages based on the number of responses for that employee.

4. Has support from the software vendor been required? yes 7 (88%) no 1 (13%)

And, has that support been adequate? yes 7 (88%) no 0 NA 1 (13%)

5. What other software tools, if any, were evaluated before selecting the software tool you use?
SimaPro, Okobilans Boustead

TEAM , Ecopack 2000 Ecobalance, PRe'

None

6. What were the primary software characteristics that determined your selection?
see Table PEMS2

7. What data are used for your LCA evaluations? (check one)
ÿ exclusively the data supplied by the software package 1 (13%)
ÿ exclusively data collected at your facility/facilities 0

6
Total Number of Respondents: 8 Survey #: PEMS

ÿ a combination of data (e.g., facility-specific data supplemented by life-cycle data from

software package) 7 (88%)

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7
Total Number of Respondents: 8 Survey #: PEMS

8. Since working with your selected software tool, what are the features/capabilities which you find
most attractive? see Table PEMS3

9. For the following features, please evaluate your experience with the software tool. The ease of
learning curve and ease of use are the two factors included in the table below. Please circle the
appropriate response for each feature. If the feature does not apply to the software, please enter a
'NA' to indicate as such.

To those completing this table, what is your experience with LCA? (circle one) high medium low
1 (13%) 1 (13%) 0
Feature Learning Ease of
Curve Use
easy ave. diff. easy ave. diff.
Software interface and life-
cycle system development 4 (50%) 4 (50%) 0 6 (75%) 2 (25%) 0
User-defined database
Importing 4 (50%) 3 (38%) 0 3 (38%) 4 (50%) 0
Manual entry 5 (63%) 3 (38%) 0 3 (38%) 5 (63%) 0
Editing
System 1 (13%) 6 (75%) 0 2 (25%) 5 (63%) 0
Data and database(s) 2 (25%) 6 (75%) 0 2 (25%) 6 (75%) 0
Use of descriptive fields and
data quality indicators 2 (2%) 3 (38%) 1 (13%) 1 (13%) 4 (50%) 1 (13%)
Customized calculations, if
applicable
Sensitivity analysis 4 (50%) 1 (13%) 3 (25%) 4 (50%) 2 (25%) 1 (13%)
Impact assessment 7 (88%) 1 (13%) 0 8 (100%) 0 0
Comparison of results 7 (88%) 1 (13%) 0 7 (88%) 1 (13%) 0
Customized output (i.e., 3 (38%) 2 (25%) 1 (13%) 5 (63%) 0 1 (13%)
tables/graphs)

10. Other Comments:

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8
Total Number of Respondents: 8 Survey #: PEMS

PEMS1 - Frequency of Use

Survey # Response
1 two studies to date
2, 3, 6 three studies per year
4 two studies per year
5 daily
7, 8 several times per month

PEMS2 - Characteristics that Determined Selection of Software

Survey # Response
1 continuous development of methodology through a recognized research organ.
2 quality of data, flexibility of assessment methodologies
3 previous experience with PIRA (before PEMS)
4 user interface
5 transparency of model, compatibility with existing hardware/software
6 ease of use, database
7 flexibility, ease of use, graphical interface, database
8 materials database, modeling for products

9
Total Number of Respondents: 8 Survey #: PEMS

PEMS3 - Most Attractive Features

Survey # Response
1 graphical interface
2 graphical interface for system modeling, ease of use, fast calculations
3 graphical interface for flowsheet generation, user friendliness
4 graphical interface, mass balance checking feature
5 transparency
6 presentation of analysis
7 graphical interface, continuous development of software and database, good
support
8 graphical user interface, graphical results output, link to spreadsheet

Note: Features repeated between surveys are in italicized type.

10
Total Number of Respondents: 8 Survey #: PEMS

Survey of LCA Software Users

1. For what purpose is the LCA software tool used? (check all that apply)
ÿ product evaluation
ÿ materials selection
ÿ product design/redesign
ÿ management decision-making/corporate positioning
ÿ research
ÿ other, please specify

2. How frequently is the software tool used for these purposes? varies, on a per product basis

3. Who within your organizations typically uses the software tool, and what is their experience with
life cycle assessment? (check all that apply)

ÿ environmental staff experience: high medium low

ÿ product designer experience: high medium low
ÿ staff researcher experience: high medium low
ÿ management experience: high medium low
ÿ other, please specify experience: high medium low

4. Has support from the software vendor (training and guidance) been required? ÿ yes ÿ no
And, has that support been adequate? ÿ yes ÿ no

5. What other software tools, if any, were evaluated before selecting the software tool you use?
CUMPAN

6. What were the primary software characteristics that determined your selection?
availability of data, product modeling capabilities, user friendliness

7. What data are used for your LCA evaluations? (check one)
ÿ exclusively the data supplied by the software package
ÿ exclusively data collected at your facility/facilities
ÿ a combination of data (e.g., facility-specific data supplemented by life-cycle data from
software package)

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11
Total Number of Respondents: 8 Survey #: PEMS

8. Since working with your selected software tool, what are the features/capabilities which you find
most attractive? graphical interface

9. For the following features, please evaluate your experience with the software tool. The ease of
learning curve and ease of use are the two factors included in the table below. Please circle the
appropriate response for each feature. If the feature does not apply to the software, please enter a
'NA' to indicate as such.

To those completing this table, what is your experience with LCA? (circle one) high medium low
Feature Learning Curve Ease of Use
Software interface (templates and graphics)
and life-cycle system development (i.e., easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
products, processes, or services)
User-defined database
Importing from spreadsheet easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Manual entry easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Editing
System easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Data and database(s) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Use of descriptive fields and data quality
indicators easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Customized calculations, if applicable
Sensitivity analysis easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Impact assessment easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Comparison of results easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Customized output (i.e., tables/graphs) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult

10. Other Comments:

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12
Number of Responses: 1 Survey #: TEAM

Survey of LCA Software Users

1. For what purpose is the LCA software tool used? (check all that apply)
ÿ product evaluation
ÿ materials selection
ÿ product design/redesign
ÿ management decision-making/corporate positioning
ÿ research
ÿ other, please specify

2. How frequently is the software tool used for these purposes? no answer given

3. Who within your organizations typically uses the software tool, and what is their experience with
life cycle assessment? (check all that apply)

ÿ environmental staff experience: high medium low

ÿ product designer experience: high medium low
ÿ staff researcher experience: high medium low
ÿ management experience: high medium low
ÿ other, please specify experience: high medium low

4. Has support from the software vendor (training and guidance) been required? ÿ yes ÿ no
And, has that support been adequate? ÿ yes ÿ no

5. What other software tools, if any, were evaluated before selecting the software tool you use?
EcoManager, REPAQ

6. What were the primary software characteristics that determined your selection?
modeling and scenario evaluation capabilities, material inventory database, technical
support

7. What data are used for your LCA evaluations? (check one)
ÿ exclusively the data supplied by the software package
ÿ exclusively data collected at your facility/facilities
ÿ a combination of data (e.g., facility-specific data supplemented by life-cycle data from
software package)

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13
Number of Responses: 1 Survey #: TEAM

8. Since working with your selected software tool, what are the features/capabilities which
you find most attractive? scenario evaluation capability, database, link to Excel

9. For the following features, please evaluate your experience with the software tool. The
ease of learning curve and ease of use are the two factors included in the table below.
Please circle the appropriate response for each feature. If the feature does not apply to the
software, please enter a 'NA' to indicate as such.

To those completing this table, what is your experience with LCA? (circle one) high medium low
Feature Learning Curve Ease of Use
Software interface (templates and graphics)
and life-cycle system development (i.e., easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
products, processes, or services)
User-defined database
Importing from spreadsheet easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Manual entry easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Editing
System easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Data and database(s) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Use of descriptive fields and data quality
indicators easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Customized calculations, if applicable
Sensitivity analysis easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Impact assessment easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Comparison of results easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult
Customized output (i.e., tables/graphs) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult

10. Other Comments: I have been very happy with the tool - the most significant draw
back is being weak in user friendliness. However, we have been assured that planned
upgrades will address our concerns.

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14
 Appendix C
In-Depth Evaluation of Full LCA Software Tools
 TABLE C1 - COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS AND INTERFACE

Hardware Software Interface

KCL-ECO PC-model 486 SX CPU or better. Microsoft Windows 3.1 or subsequent versions. Graphical interface with click, drag, and drop
At least 8 megabytes of memory. mouse capabilities.
At least 3 megabytes of free hard drive space. Flow sheet (i.e., graphical interface) and report
sheet (i.e., underlying spreadsheet) can be
accessed side by side.
LCAiT At least 2 megabytes of memory. Microsoft Windows 3.1 or subsequent versions. Graphical interface with click, drag, and drop
At least 2.5 megabytes of free hard disk space. mouse capabilities.
System "blocks" for processes and
transportation are distinguishable by color
(process = gray; transport = yellow).
PEMS IBM-compatible 386 or above. MS-DOS 3.1 or subsequent versions. Graphical interface with click, drag, and drop
Minimum of 4 megabytes of RAM if running Microsoft Windows 3.1 or subsequent versions. mouse capabilities.
Excel 4; minimum of 6 megabytes of RAM if Microsoft Excel version 4 or 5. Five types of system "blocks" are
running Excel 5. distinguishable by block graphics.
At least 2 megabytes of free hard disk space in Underlying Excel spreadsheet can be accessed
addition to that required for Windows and side by side with graphical interface.
Excel.
SimaPro IBM-compatible 286 processor or higher. MS-DOS DOS program with Windows-like templates.
Minimum of 4 megabytes main memory. Menu commands can be accessed by keyboard
or mouse.
TEAM PC-model 486/33 CPU. TEAM version 1.15: Windows 3.1, 3.11, or TEAM 1.15 is a Windows program with
At least 8 megabytes of RAM. 95 various templates or worksheets to develop
At least 10 megabytes of free hard disk space. TEAM version 2.0: Windows 95 or NT system. Menu-driven application; no graphical
TEAMTool is supplied by the software interface.
(includes WN-Tool , XL-Tool, and TEAM 2.0 has a graphical interface on which
TEAMPlus). is placed System Nodes (i.e., sub-systems) and
Atomic Nodes.

1
 TABLE C2 - SYSTEM DEFINITION

System Development System Editing Archiving

KCL-ECO Modules, or system blocks, typically represent Using the mouse, process blocks can be Modules and modes of conveyance can be
manufacturing processes, but can also represent highlighted to view and edit details, or to saved to a user-defined library for use in new
distribution blocks, life cycle stages (i.e., a generic delete process. systems.
'use' stage), etc. System arrows can also be highlighted and Modules and linked systems can also be
Modules are placed on graphical flow sheet from edited or deleted using the mouse. copied to a clip board from one system and
pull-down menu or by clicking tool bar button. New process variables (e.g., inputs/outputs) pasted into a new system using common key-
Transportation and material flows are associated can be added to variables list from Specify strokes or menu commands. All links and
with arrows (i.e., links) between modules. Module card, or from menu options. flow names are maintained.
Associated with each module is a Specify Module
card. Here, the module name, inputs and outputs
are specified. Module notes (e.g., description of
process with references) and input/output
equations are entered in subsequent details cards
accessed though active buttons on the Specify
Module card.
One equation within one Specify Module card
must be assigned a reference equation (i.e.,
functional flow) in the form, 'variable = constant.'
LCAiT System blocks represent either process or Using the mouse, process blocks can be A sequence of saving, exporting, and
transportation steps. highlighted to view and edit details, or to importing allows systems to be used in part or
Blocks are placed on the graphical worksheet from delete process. in whole as inputs into separate life cycles.
a pull-down menu. System arrows can also be highlighted and Inventory profiles of saved and exported
Each block has a Card which allows the user to deleted using the mouse. A warning message systems can be imported as the details of a
define the system. Process Cards define: 1) is posted if this operation is performed, asking single process block in a newly developed
emissions, wastes and resources resulting from or if the user wants to continue. system (reference flow must be 1 kg and the
used in the process; 2) energy carriers and To calculate an inventory, the system must be system can not include recycling).
consumption; and 3) resource flows between compiled. If the system is over-defined, or Recalculation of this imported subsystem is
system blocks. Links must be established before under-defined, an error messages is posted, not required.
resource flows can be defined. Transportation with no guidance as to where a problem Single process blocks and entire system flows
Cards defined the mode, distance, and utility of exists. can also be imported into a new flow sheet
transport. and recalculated with the newly developed
Arrows between blocks represent material flows. system.
Activation of one system block defines the
reference flow.
(Continued)

2
 TABLE C2 - SYSTEM DEFINITION (Continued)

System Development System Editing Archiving

PEMS System blocks represent materials, processes, System blocks and arrows can be highlighted Archiving materials, processes, and systems is
energy, waste management options, and external and edited/deleted using the mouse. supported by the software. See User-Defined
flows. When a block is deleted, all connections to Data for more details.
System blocks are placed on graphical worksheet and from the block are also deleted. Use of saved system in more complex product
from pull-down menu. To calculate an inventory, the system must be life cycles is possible through an import
Transport of either energy or materials is compiled. If the system is under-defined, an option offered in the File menu of the
associated with flow arrows (i.e., links) between error messages is posted, and the process graphical interface.
blocks. block(s) which is not adequately defined is
Associated with each block are Object Properties visually identified in the graphical flow
cards in which inputs, outputs, and burdens are diagram.
specified by the user, as well as a descriptive
information in a supporting Information card.
An arrow between system blocks is used to define
the system's functional flow.
SimaPro Boxes, or working templates, are used to develop All boxes and databases can be accessed and Previously defined and saved assemblies can
the system to be evaluated. edited at any time within the program. From be used in any other systems (i.e., as
Assembly boxes (i.e., SimaPro's version of menu options any box can be opened and Materials/ Assemblies in new Assembly
manufacturing process units) are developed by accessed. boxes).
specifying material/assembly inputs and the Within the set of five databases, the user can
processes in which these inputs are manipulated. also define complex scenarios, allowing for
Transport and energy requirements are included as their continual use.
processes. Links between processes within the Processes
Emissions for these specified materials/assemblies database are possible.
and processes are contained and drawn from the
supporting database to calculate the inventory.
Life Cycle boxes complete the life cycle of the
system by specifying use and disposal scenarios.
Disassembly and Reuse boxes also exist which can
be combined within Disposal Scenario boxes, to
model end-of-life options and practices.

(Continued)

3
 TABLE C2 - SYSTEM DEFINITION (Continued)

System Development System Editing Archiving

TEAM In TEAM version 1.15, the creation of and access to From the Project window, all objects An Atomic Module can be derived from an
objects of the LCA system (i.e., Articles, Modules and (Articles, Modules and Nodes) can be Ecobalance which represents the inflows
Nodes) is accomplished from the Project window. accessed and edited by the user. and outflows of that Ecobalance. This
The details of each object are contained in supporting Articles can be added and Modules can be Module can then be used to derive Nodes in
window templates. Using menu options or active created/defined from anywhere within the other developed systems. 'Tracking'
buttons on the tool bar, the user defines systems and program (i.e., Project window or supporting information records the Modules origin and
sub-systems in a nested, hierarchical fashion. windows). date of creation.
At the inner-most level of every system/sub-system Nodes derived from Modules will be Though only one project can be used at a
are defined Atomic Nodes, in which the user defined changed when the supporting Module is time, and only one Project can be defined by
all inputs and outputs. Atomic Nodes can be derived changed. a given database, on Import/Export function
from Modules contained in either the DEAM or user- Articles and Modules can not be deleted if allows the movement/transfer of Articles,
defined database ('derived'). Changes to underlying they are linked to the system being Modules, and Nodes between projects.
Modules data will change all derived nodes. A free developed; an error message is offered if
Atomic Node allows the user to specify/detail all users attempts to perform this function.
inputs and outputs via an Atomic Node window. Functional flows and connections between
All sub-systems must be specified and compiled from objects can be changed at any time.
the lowest level to the highest. Flows between Each system/sub-system can be checked for
systems and underlying sub-systems can then be consistency (e.g., functional flows, links
defined. etc.). If the system is inconsistent, an error
Designating a Node or Module as a transport messages is posted and the location of the
Node/Module is possible. problem is stated.
Version 2.0 was not made available for this
evaluation. However, this newest version of the
software allows the user to define System and Atomic
Nodes as blocks on a graphical interface. When
doubled-clicked, the details of a system node are
revealed in supporting graphical worksheets. As
with version 1.15, the life cycle must be defined from
the lowest level to the highest level. Material flows
are defined by connecting an arrow between blocks.
The details of Atomic Nodes are specified in Atomic
Node windows (as described above).
Functional flows are defined for every Atomic Node
(an Article and corresponding flow is activated with a
), as well as within the system Consistency check.
This feature of TEAM allows inventory propagation
from anywhere within the life cycle.

4
 TABLE C3.1 - DATA AND DATA MANAGEMENT

Types of Embedded Data Data Quality Indicators Other Descriptive Fields

KCL-ECO The extent of the database, KCL-ECODATA, Aggregation of data quality indicators is not a A Notes option for each module allows the user to
is determined by the user. At a cost, the function of the software. See Other describe the module, including references and
complete database can be purchased with the Descriptive Fields for other options. other data quality indicators.
software tool. These notes, as well as other module information
Data includes forestry, pulp and paper, and (i.e., no. of inputs, outputs, and equations) can be
supporting power production and transport invoked on the graphical flow sheet by pressing the
operations. right mouse button while the mouse arrow is
positioned over a module. Notes are also printed
with the inventory details of each process block in
the results.
Two additional descriptive text fields are included
with each database entry.
LCAiT Energy and transportation are represented by Aggregation of data quality indicators is not a Each Process and Transport card has a Notes, or
separate, though limited databases. function of the software. See Other documentation text field which allows the user to
Complete cradle-to-gate life-cycles for a Descriptive Fields for other options. describe the current system and any assumptions
limited number of chemicals, plastics, pulp made.
and paper products are also included with tool Full references are given for database information.
for import into developing system. References are given for each emission and energy
Data consists of primary information gathered carrier in supporting description cards.
by the authors, and secondary data from the A File menu option, LC Information, allows the
general European data set shared by most user to define and name the system under
practitioners (e.g., IDEA, BUWAL). development.
PEMS Materials, energy, transportation, and waste No formal data quality indicators are Documentation of data quality and process
management options (with and without incorporated into the software's accessible descriptions can be entered in a notes box on each
transportation) are all represented by separate databases. process card.
databases. Manual contains explanations of assumptions Users can add any information in the free text
Databases consist mainly of secondary and calculations methods for most of the fields available in each of the Object Properties
information that has been derived and adapted embedded data. cards.
from IDEA. Aggregation of data quality indicators is not a Title and description text fields are automatically
function of the software. See Other opened when creating any new system to allow
Descriptive Fields for other options. user to easily define system.

5
 TABLE C3.1 - DATA AND DATA MANAGEMENT (Continues)

Types of Embedded Data Data Quality Indicators Other Descriptive Fields

SimaPro Though SimaPro contains five databases A Source field is available for each database Textual comment fields are available for each
(processes, methods, substances, units, and entry to specify data quality. Access to this database entry for user explanations.
quantities), the Process database is the only one information is only available through the Each entry within an Assembly box has
which contains resource use, emissions, and database menu option. associated with it a comment field for
product data for seven different categories Aggregation of data quality indicators is not a customized descriptions within a complex
(materials, energy, transport, processing, use, function of the software. See Other system.
waste, and waste treatment). Descriptive Fields for other options.
The vast majority of the data are for European
(more specifically, Dutch) conditions.
TEAM The extent of the database, DEAM, is determined Aggregation of data quality indicators is not a Detailed information for a project can be
by the user. At a cost, the complete DEAM function of the software. See Other entered in a supporting Info text field within
database can be purchased with the software tool. Descriptive Fields for other options. the Project window.
Database includes materials, transportation, energy Information text fields for Articles, Modules,
and waste scenarios. Nodes, and systems/subsystems, are also
available.
Within an Atomic Node window, each flow
has associated with it an information text
field.
Reminder fields can also be entered in Atomic
Modules or Nodes to flag flows which may
not be identified as inflow to or outflows from
the system (e.g., steam generated by a process
and used by the same process).

6
 TABLE C3.2 - DATA AND DATA MANAGEMENT

Data Protection Data Editing User-Defined Data

KCL-ECO No data protection exists. Access to data and the ability of data editing User can define emissions and energy requirements
Limiting user access to certain portions of is fully supported. for any process block within Specify Module cards.
data is not possible. While in Specify Module cards, variables can
be added to the Variable list, rather than Variable names and the code under which each is
closing card, opening Edit\Variables, adding listed (e.g., energy sources, or emissions to air,
variables, and reversing process. etc.) are defined by user. Emissions are calculated
and entered for each module via equations defined
by user.
LCAiT No data protection exists. Data editing within the two databases, as well Emissions, wastes, resources, and energy carriers
Limiting user access to certain portions of as within the process and transport cards is associated with process blocks can be specified in
data is not possible. supported. Process cards.
The databases can be edited and expanded to
include user-defined data; data input must be
performed manually within the database edit mode
using software supplied templates.
PEMS Data in embedded data files can be viewed No database editing is possible within The details entered by the user in Object
but not edited. embedded database files. Properties cards can be exported to the user's
Limiting user access to certain portions of From the graphical interface, Object database.
data is not possible. Properties and Transportation cards can be Complete systems which produce a material can be
accessed within which full editing capabilities saved in the user's Materials database; the
of information is supported. emissions from the entire process would then
Underlying Excel spreadsheet can be accessed become the details of a system block.
at any time to edit inventory of each block. Process blocks, once detailed, can be exported to
the Process database.
Energy and transportation databases must be
developed/defined using software supplied
templates.
Waste scenarios can be created as well using an
External block as the input.

(Continued)

7
 TABLE C3.2 - DATA AND DATA MANAGEMENT (Continued)

Data Protection Data Editing User-Defined Data

SimaPro No data protection exists. Access and editing capabilities to all data is Though import from existing data management
Limiting user access to certain portions of supported. applications is not supported, user can easily
data is not possible. define unique processes by accessing databases,
and entering inputs, outputs and linking to existing
database entries. Units and assessment methods
can also be defined by user through databases.
TEAM DEAM database offers a full range of data Full Lock data can not be accessed or viewed. The inputs to and outputs from Atomic Nodes (i.e.,
protection options. 'Full Lock,' 'Read Only,' Read Only data can be copied, pasted and Articles) can be completely defined by the user.
and 'Open' represent the three primary levels then modified. These Nodes and subsequent sub-systems can be
of protection. Complete data editing capabilities are exported and saved as Atomic Modules within the
Users can specify the level of protection for supported for Open data. database for use in other developed systems.
all defined data. Straight access to the DEAM database is not
User names and passwords allow various supported, though editing of individual
levels of access to users within the same site. Modules is possible within Atomic Nodes
DEAM is a completely separate database. windows.
Data files (Atomic Modules) must be
imported from DEAM to the project for use.

8
 TABLE C4 - FLEXIBILITY

Unit Flexibility Use of Formulas Allocation

KCL-ECO Unit convention is metric; material flows in The quantitative flows of materials, energy, Version 1 of KCL-ECO does not support
kilograms (kg), energy flows in mega-joules (MJ), and emissions are specified by linear allocation. The user must pre-allocate all data
transportation is specified as kilogram fuel equations defined by the user. Equations can before entering it into the model's database.
consumed pre kilometer.tonne (kg/km.t), and be as simple as 'variable = number,' or include Version 2, expected in mid-1996, will offer
emissions in grams (g). the mathematical functions of +, -, and *. allocation and impact assessment capabilities.
User-defined units are supported in variables list.
Once a unit is defined for a variable, it must be
used consistently throughout the program. If units
are changed, equations containing them may no
longer be applicable.
Functional flows must be represented in units of
kg.
LCAiT Material flows must be entered in units of System is static; formulas are not used. LCAiT does not support allocation. User-
kilograms (kg). defined allocation scenarios can be created by
Energy flows must be entered in units of mega- creating an "allocation scenario file; the user
joules (MJ). must pre-allocate all data before entering it
Transportation must be entered in units of km. into the system.
Functional flows must be represented in units of
kg.
PEMS Material flows must be entered in units of System is static; formulas are not used. Option of entering "Open Loop Output" as
kilograms (kg). burden within system block.
Energy flows must be entered in units of mega- Option of using "External" block to represent
joules (MJ). open loop materials/energy leaving system.
Transportation must be entered in units of km. Option of using Distribution Box to split
Functional flows must be represented in units of flows.
kg. Allocation of co-product and open-loop
recycling burdens is by weight. Various co-
production/recycling allocation schemes are
discussed in detail in manual, but
calculations must be performed by the user.

(Continued)

9
 TABLE C4 - FLEXIBILITY (Continued)

Unit Flexibility Use of Formulas Allocation

SimaPro Within the Units and Quantities databases (see System is static; formulas are not used. Allocation is accomplished/specified by the
Types of Embedded Data), users can define any Process entries is the database, however, are user within database files. For all inputs and
unit and its conversion to the standard units linked, and changes in one process can cause outputs of a process, a percentage can be linked
used by the program: mass (resources and changes to linked processes as well. to each flow to allocate emissions; percentages
emissions), kilograms (kg); energy, mega-joules must add up to 100.
(MJ); transportation, tonne.kilometers (t.km). SimaPro also supports the concept of avoided
emissions; reused and recycled materials
included in the defined system can be credited
back to the inventory.
TEAM Unit convention is metric; material flows in Formulas and the use of variables are fully Allocation of burdens between co-products and
kilo-grams (kg), energy flows in mega-joules supported within software tool. for recycle streams can be fully defined on a
(MJ), and emissions in grams (g). Arithmetic, boolean, relational , and bitwise flow-by-flow basis. The user can define
User-defined units are supported, and operators, and mathematical functions are allocation with allocation variables and
appropriate conversion factors can be specified supported (e.g., +, -, *, /, %, and ^, <, <=, etc.). equations within each Atomic Node and
to bring all flows to the common metric Variables, both internal and external must first Module window.
convention. be defined. Variable aid in data processing and TEAM also supports the concept of avoided
Once a unit is defined for an article, it must be data entry when describing process units in emissions; reused and recycled materials
used consistently throughout the program. Modules and Atomic Nodes. External variables included in the defined system can be credited
can be exported to a spreadsheet, linked to a back to the inventory.
control panel, and imported back into TEAM
for simulation calculations (see also Sensitivity
Analysis in Table C5)
Equations can use variable names which in turn
can be defined by variables.
Formulas are supported within Atomic Nodes
and Modules for both flows and allocation
methods.

10
 TABLE C5 - CALCULATIONS AND COMPARISONS

Uncertainty Analysis Impact Assessment Comparison of Results

KCL-ECO Sensitivity Analysis allows the user to select Impact assessment is not a function of the Comparison of results is not a function of the
equations which contain variable(s) for which software tool. Version 2 of KCL-ECO, software tool.
uncertainty exists. expected out in mid-1996, will offer impact
Uncertainty (+/- X%) can be specified for each assessment capabilities.
variable and each equation. The default
distribution of uncertainty is normal; user can
also define randomly uniform or uneven
distributions (e.g., +10%, -0%).
The number of analysis cycles is user-defined
(between 100 and 8000).
A distribution plot of variable outputs or inputs
is then created at the bottom of the full report
sheet.
LCAiT Uncertainty analysis within the software Indices are used to assess emissions from the Comparison of results is not a function of the
package does not exist. life-cycle inventory. The user can define the software tool.
multiplication factor (i.e., value [1/kg]) which
is used to weight each inventory emission.
Formal impact assessment (i.e., classification,
characterization, and valuation) is not a
function of the software.
PEMS Different scenarios must be created as separate Two impact assessment approaches are Up to six system inventories can be compared
systems, compiled and saved. Sensitivity possible within software tool: problem oriented in a tabular or graphic format. Comparison
analysis is then accomplished graphically - equivalent values, and media oriented - Reports present total mass and energy inputs
between two systems for various user-defined critical volumes. and outputs of each system. Other comparison
parameters (+ and - % difference). Problem-oriented approach includes 10 options include log, relative, restricted (user-
classification factors. defined parameters), and energy graphs.
Media-oriented approach aggregates emissions
into 4 criteria.
Weighting factors for each criteria, under each
approach can be assigned by the user.
Opportunities for user to define criteria is
limited.

(Continued)

11
 TABLE C5 - CALCULATIONS AND COMPARISONS (Continued)
Uncertainty Analysis Impact Assessment Comparison of Results
SimaPro Uncertainty analysis within the software Characterization (classification), normalization, Developed assemblies and life cycles can be
package does not exist. and evaluation of inventory results are accessible compared at any time utilizing the Compare
at any point within the program - the system does menu. Substances (i.e., inventories for the
not have to be completed. Eleven environmental system as a whole, or for assemblies),
impacts are included in the impact assessment. characterization, normalization, evaluation,
Under characterization, the relative contributions and indicators (graph and values) can be
(% of total) each material and process have on the compared.
11 impacts are presented in a bar graph. From this All boxes (Assembly, Life Cycle, Disposal,
bar graph Normalization expresses effects as a Waste, Reuse, and Disassembly) can be
proportion of the total profile, and Evaluation opened and compared using the Compare
shows the weighted distribution of effects. menu option.
Indicators (i.e., a single figure for the
environmental impacts) for each component of an
assembly can be invoked under the Assembly
boxes or as a graphic display at any point within
the program. Different methods to calculate
indicators can be defined by user.
Each process and materials block of the process
tree displays a thermometer with gives the relative
contribution of that block to the indicator value of
that assembly. Other, user-specified
equations/information can be displayed by the
thermometer.
TEAM Uncertainty analysis (e.g., sensitivity analysis, Impact assessment is possible using the TEAMPlus Comparison of results is accomplished
simulation, etc.) within TEAM is application. Within this application there is an through the use of the TEAMPlus application.
accomplished through the use of External Assessment menu option which evaluates the Single attributes (i.e., Articles or emissions)
variables and the TEAMPlus application. contribution to standard environmental parameters can be compared between two separate
When defined by the user, External variables of each Article of a life-cycle inventory Ecobalance files. The comparison is
can be exported, manipulated in TEAMPlus, (Ecobalance). presented as a bar graph within TEAMPlus.
and imported back to the project . A new Only system-defined weighting factors can be used Further comparative treatment is achieved
Ecobalance is created for each run using these in TEAM 2.0. Subsequent versions of the through the export of data to a spreadsheet, as
new variables, and the resulting inventory software will support user-defined weighting is possible with all evaluated tools.
saved/exported. This process can be factors and parameters.
automated.
Direct comparison of various simulation runs
is not supported by the software tool.

12
 TABLE C6 - OUTPUTS AND EXPORTS

System Tables and Graphs Export Options

KCL-ECO System can be printed. Text and the mass Tabular reports can be fully customized by user. As stated above, modules and systems, once
flows associated with each arrow can also be created and saved, can be used (copied, cut and
included in the diagram and printed. Default Report sheet presents module pasted, or drawn in from the menu options) in a
information (inputs, outputs, equations and new system.
notes), transportation information (between Reports can be exported as text files to be
what two modules, wt. and distance traveled opened in Excel or other such applications.
details, inputs and outputs), summary
information (variable names, input and output
variables), variable names, and modes of
conveyance. If a sensitivity analysis was
performed, the graphical distribution is added
to the bottom of this default report.
No graphical depictions of results are
supported.
LCAiT Can print graphical representation of system Inventory profiles are an aggregated set of Matrices and raw, bar-graph data can be
(i.e., process tree). emissions and energy parameters presented in a exported and manipulated in Excel.
Process trees can be cut/pasted to a word bar graph format. Inventory profiles can be cut/pasted to a word
processing application. Inventory matrices are tables which present processing application.
emission and energy parameters by system Printing of life-cycle data (all information
block. including mass flows), energy carrier data,
Life Cycle Data menu option prints inflows and transport data, matrices and profiles is
outflows for each process and transport block. supported.
Energy Carriers and Transport databases (i.e., Text export of life-cycle data, matrices and
inflows and outflows) can also be printed in full profiles is also supported.
with the File/Print menu option.
PEMS Can print graphical representation of system Tables in an underlying Excel spreadsheet are All tables can be opened outside of PEMS in
(i.e., process flow) as draft only. created for all system inputs/outputs for each Excel for manipulation by user.
Process flows can be selected from graphical block of the system (materials, processes,
interface, clipped, and pasted in a Window's transport and energy).
graphics or word application. User-defined bar graphs and summary results
can be created for any compiled system.

(Continued)

13
 TABLE C6 - OUTPUTS AND EXPORTS (Continued)

System Tables and Graphs Export Options

SimaPro Process trees, which represent material flows Results can be displayed in text or graphic Inventory and impact assessment results can be
and process steps as identical inputs, can be form. exported as text only files and opened in any
printed in various degrees of detail (e.g., boxes Inventories of materials, air emissions, water spreadsheet application as a text delimited file.
only, boxes and top-processes, boxes, top- emissions, and land emissions can be viewed Graphical displays can be viewed as values
processes and extended disposal tree, etc.) for the system as a whole or for process blocks. only and exported.
Editing capabilities to incorporate user-defined
formats of displays are limited.
TEAM Version 1.15: A graphical image of the system The Ecobalance within TEAM represents the Export of generated table creates a text file
is not an option supported by the software tool. LCA inventory generated for the developed which can be opened in any word processing or
Version 2.0: Allows printing of graphical system. spreadsheet application.
system. Default settings present the results as a three- Atomic Modules and a listing of all defined
column table which presents all Articles, units, Articles can also be exported and
and flow values for the entire system. printed/manipulated as a text file.
Including sub-systems and Nodes within the Variables defined as 'external' can be exported
table format is supported. and manipulated in a spreadsheet application.
Table format can be specified by the user
through Templates. Grouping, eliminating and
deleting, and rearranging of flows can be
specified within the Template editing window.
Reminders included in Atomic Modules and
Nodes can be included in Ecobalance.
Ecobalances must be exported as a delimited
text file to print.
No graphical depiction of results is supported.

Note: Appendix D presents default printouts (system, inventory, and impact assessment, if applicable) for each software tool.

14
 Appendix D

Default Printouts
The default printing options of each LCA software tool are presented here in Appendix D. Below
is a list of each printout included for each software tool.

KCL-ECO
Process Tree - graphical representation of system as developed by the user (1 page)
Inventory - standard tabulation of calculated inventory results with process block notes
and uncertainty analysis (3 pages)

LCAiT
Process Tree - graphical representation of system as developed by the user (1 page)
Inventory - standard graphical display of aggregated inventory results (1 page)
LC Data - tabular display of inflows to and outflow from each system block (2 pages)
Inventory Matrix - a list of each system block and its corresponding contributions to
environmental parameters; for example, CO, NOx, solid waste, etc. (3 pages of 7)
Energy Carrier Database - an aggregated list of emission variables included in the energy
carrier database followed by a display of 'emissions at final use,' 'emissions at extraction,'
'energy type,' and 'notes' for each energy carrier included in the database (2 pages of 19)
Transport Database - a list of each mode of conveyance within the transportation database
along with the corresponding energy carrier consumption in units of MJ/kg.km. (1 page)

PEMS
Process Tree - graphical representation (draft only) of system as developed by the user (1
page)
Inventory - standard tabular display of calculated inventory results, aggregated and by
process and transport step (2 pages)
Normalized Impact Assessment - graphical display of problem-oriented impact assessment
results (1 page)

SimaPro
Process Tree - software developed display of assembly and life-cycle system with
thermometer gauge for each block (1 page)
Process Tree - focused view of a portion of software developed system with impact details
(1 page)
Normalized Impact Assessment - graphical display of impact assessment results;
contributions to each environmental parameter from each life-cycle stage is (should be)
depicted (1 page)
Valuation Impact Assessment (1 page)
Assembly Box with Impact Values displayed (1 page)

TEAM  does not support direct printing of results within software tool. An Ecobalance is
included here which was created in TEAM, exported to Excel and manipulated to clearly
present inventory results. (2 pages)

1
Note: Unfortunately the printouts for each software tool are not available electronically. If you
require a paper copy please contact:

Kevin Brady or Andie Paynter

Environment Canada
Hazardous Waste Branch
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0H3
Tel.: (819) 953-1108
FAX: (819) 953-6881
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]