The TRINEFLEX project adopts an integrated approach to sustainability assessment, combining Material Flow Analysis (MFA), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Life Cycle Costing (LCC). This methodology supports decision-makers in interpreting data and identifying potential bottlenecks in the production chain that hinder the transition towards a circular economy.
MFA: used to map and quantify material, energy, product, and waste flows, helping to improve resource efficiency and identify valorisation opportunities;
LCC: estimates the economic costs associated with different phases of the process;
LCA: analyzes the environmental impacts throughout the entire life cycle of the project;
The ultimate goal is to develop a methodology and a tool to evaluate the technological, environmental, and economic performance of the involved operations, providing strategic support to decision-makers.
LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) in Trineflex
The LCA, or Life Cycle Assessment, is the compilation and the evaluation of a product’s impact throughout its entire life cycle. This process includes collecting and analyzing data on emissions and resource use at each stage of the product’s life cycle. This assessment is fundamental to providing a framework for measuring the sustainability of a product and, therefore, to facilitate decision-making processes, especially at an industrial level.
In fact, the TRINEFLEX project employs the LCA methodology to assess the environmental impacts of implemented solutions. The study considers all life cycle stages, from raw material extraction to product use and end-of-life disposal, aiming to optimize the project’s environmental performance and provide reliable data for decision-making.
A key step in this process is the inventory analysis of industries involved in the project. This involves collecting and quantifying all inputs (raw materials, energy) and outputs (emissions, waste) associated with the product’s life cycle and industrial processes. Following LCA principles, the analysis focuses on critical elements, including direct and indirect energy consumption, material flows (using MFA), and the generation of emissions and waste at each stage of the life cycle. This comprehensive assessment provides a detailed understanding of the environmental footprint of the industries involved, facilitating the transition towards more sustainable solutions.
The assessment follows a cradle-to-gate approach, covering all processes up to the point where the product leaves the facility. Data is gathered from all project partners, with STAM as the main coordinator. The analysis considers material usage, energy consumption, and emissions before and after implementing TRINEFLEX solutions to identify the most significant improvements. In this context, LCA plays a crucial role in ensuring that TRINEFLEX contributes to a more sustainable industrial production, aligning with the EU’s environmental goals.
The TRINEFLEX LCA Tool
In TRINEFLEX is developed a LCA tool , it’s a web application designed to collect and display information about the environmental impact of manufacturing processes. It allows users to easily record what goes into production, such as water or raw materials, and what comes out, like emissions or other by-products. All this information is stored with the most relevant details to better understand its environmental weight. The key feature of the app is data analysis: through an interactive dashboard with graphs and charts, partners can quickly visualize results, compare different variables, and make more informed decisions to improve their processes.
