Further LCI background data provided as an add-on by SimaPro partners
Sometimes the data you need for your LCA model might not be readily available in the background libraries. ESU-services collaborates with several institutions in order to provide our customers LCI data necessary for their studies. Therefore, we provide the following databases in collaboration with partners. Please contact us directly for further information how to purchase these add-on databases for SimaPro.
Carbon Minds cm.chemicals database
The database is based on ecoinvent 3.x (cut-off, system). The database is ISO 14040/14044 compliant and complementary to ecoinvent. The database is updated annually and certified by TÜV Rheinland. The reference year is 2022. It contains technology, production and consumption mixes. It covers more than 1300 chemicals and plastics, in 190 regions and individual production routes. Two main databases are available: Essentials Data Package and Plastics Data Package:
Essentials Data Package
The Essentials Data Package by Carbon Minds contains system processes for the production of 78 of the most common chemicals. Three variants of the database are offered:
- Basic: production and consumption mixes of the 78 chemicals products for China, USA, Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and EU-27 average), global average
- Technology insights: Main manufacturing technologies, production, and consumption mixes of the 78 chemicals for China, USA, Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and EU-27 average), global average
- Global insights: Main manufacturing technologies, production, and consumption mixes of the 78 chemicals for more than 190 regions
Plastics Data Package
The Plastics Data Package by Carbon Minds contains system processes for the production of 92 of the most common plastics. Two variants of the database are offered:
- Technology insights: Main manufacturing technologies, production, and consumption mixes of the 92 plastics for China, USA, Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and EU-27 average), global average
- Global insights: Main manufacturing technologies, production, and consumption mixes of the 92 plastics for more than 190 regions
ESU-services has contributed LCI data regarding the global production of crude oil and natural gas and supply to different markets (2023) to the carbon minds database. More information can be found here. Please contact us directly for further information how to purchase these data.
Social Hotspots Database
We are excited to inform you about the launch of an updated and expanded version of the Social Hotspots Database - SHDB. It allows modelling of social impacts and risks and can be easily used as a stand-alone database in SimaPro. A prime resource for Social Life Cycle Assessment, the Social Hotspots Database licenses provide access to social risk data covering 140 countries and regions and 57 economic sectors with 6 impact categories, 26 impact subcategories and 157 social indicators. The risk data used in combination with the world's leading Global Multi-Regional Input Output (MRIO) model enables users to calculate product and company social footprints and to identify social hotspots. ESU-services can also provide a short introduction about the features and how to use this database. Please contact us directly for further information how to purchase these data.
ÖKOBAUDAT Database
Many SimaPro users would like to use pre-existing data available in EPDs for modelling in SimaPro. The ÖKOBAUDAT Database is available for free and contains EPD-datasets for building materials, construction, transport, energy and disposal processes. The database is constantly updated and provides over 1400 datasets with indicator results that comply with EN 15804. It is provided by the German Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building. The EPD-indicators are not directly provided in SimaPro database format. ESU-services Ltd. offers the conversion into SimaPro database format for CHF 300. For this, an own EPD-importer has been used. Please contact us for more information.
DATASMART LCI Package for North America
DATASMART LCI Package is a dataset for North American SimaPro customers provided by Long Trail Sustainability (LTS). This dataset was originally developed to create a North American focused dataset, based on a combination of US LCI v.1.60 and Ecoinvent v.2.2 data, modified specifically to be representative of U.S. operations. In an effort to continually provide more data, DATASMART has expanded to a larger dataset, covering more regions and industries, containing data developed by LTS and data submitted to LTS by companies and researchers. The data can be used to extend this library in SimaPro. Please contact us directly for further information how to purchase these data.
AGRIBALYSE database
AGRIBALYSE is a French research program dedicated to producing Life Cycle Inventories (LCI) of agricultural products. It provides a homogenous and consensual LCI database to support environmental labelling policies and to help the agricultural sector to improve its practices. The public LCI database of more than 100 products and its detailed methodology report were published in 2014. The database mainly contains LCIs for average French products, the functional unit is the product mass (kg) and the perimeter cradle-to–farm-gate. The datasets go along with a detailed methodology report (Koch and Salou 2014) and a project report (Colomb et al. 2014). The data are freely available and can be imported to SimaPro.
Calculation of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions according to greenhouse gas protocol
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol requires the breakdown of greenhouse gas emissions into Scope 1 (directly at the company location), Scope 2 (emissions from power plants according to direct electricity requirements) and Scope 3 (remaining emissions). For SimaPro users who possess a valid Ecoinvent license and wish to conduct calculations in alignment with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, we can offer a detailed breakdown of greenhouse gas emissions from Ecoinvent electricity datasets and an extended impact assessment method. This breakdown is categorized into different scopes as defined by the GHG Protocol, specifically Scope 2, Scope 3 excluding Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses, and Scope 3 T&D losses. These emissions data are provided by ESU for use within SimaPro, facilitating a comprehensive accounting of greenhouse gas emissions. Contact us for more information.
FLAG guidelines emission calculations
Like the approach for the Scope 1-3 emission categories, ESU can offer to provide a breakdown of different emission categories according to the FLAG guidelines. For the greenhouse gas footprint, the categories LUC (land use change), biogenic CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions in the primary sector are then reported separately. In principle this can be offered for as an add-on for different databases for food and agricultural products which are described in chapter 3. Contact us for more information.
