Reliable SimaPro databases and LCIA methods available with your SimaPro license
SimaPro is equipped with a range of relevant life cycle inventory databases (LCI), including the renowned ecoinvent database and industry-specific Agri-footprint database. Thus, the usual background data come with the SimaPro license without additional costs. Further theme specific databases can be added on demand. Updates for the databases are included with a valid service contract.
Transparent data with the SimaPro Data Libraries
An LCA is only as valid as the background data it uses. To effectively build and analyse LCI models, transparent, high quality and widely accepted inventory data is required for the most commonly used materials and processes.
With the SimaPro life cycle assessment software you can access the life cycle inventory data at all different stages of your model and analysis. This transparency is powerful in assessing your complex product or process. All results can be traced back to their origin with a few mouse clicks. You can easily zoom into the "hotspots" or the area of attention (see example below). All datasets are harmonized regarding structure, nomenclature and fit well with the life cycle impact assessment methods.
Databases Overview
SimaPro includes the following databases by default:
- ecoinvent v3.x, allocation cut-off by classification (ask for a specific offer if you have a valid licence or do not need it)
- Agri-Footprint LCI database
- EU and Danish Input Output Database
- Industry data 2.0 library: PlasticsEurope, ERASM, World Steel
- US Life Cycle Inventory database (USLCI)
Additionally available for free (separate download):
- ecoinvent v3.x, allocation at the point of substitution (APOS)
- ecoinvent v3.x, substitution, consequential, long-term
- ecoinvent v2.2, KBOB und UVEK (download with ecoinvent login)
- Environmental Footprint database (EF3.1)
- EXIOBASE 3.3 - Global, detailed multi-regional environmentally extended supply and use / Input Output database
- AGRIBALYSE 3.1 - French agricultural LCI database
- Agri-Footprint, additional downloads
- LC-Inventories
- Swiss Input-Output-Database (2005)
- WEEE LCI database
- GFLI database
Additionally available - to be purchased:
- Carbon Minds cm.chemicals database (essentials and plastics data packages)
- DATASMART LCI package
- ESU Database (updated and extended data in ecoinvent v2 quality)
- ESU World LCA Food Database
- ESU Data-on-demand (specific datasets)
- Evah pigments database
- IDEA Japanese Inventory database
- Product Social Impact Life Cycle Assessment database (PSILCA)
- Social hotspots database (SHDB)
You can browse through a list of available data or search for a certain process by using the Excel file linked here.
For consulting projects, ESU-services typically uses the databases listed here (report with description of LCI data for download).
Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methods
SimaPro contains a number of impact assessment methods, which are used to calculate impact assessment results. For more information on these methods, please download the SimaPro methods manual. We can offer to apply all commonly used life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) in our projects. A short description of LCIA methods used by ESU is provided for download.
Global methods:
- IMPACT World+ Endpoint
- IMPACT World+ Midpoint
- LC-IMPACT (8 variations)
- ReCiPe 2016 Endpoint (3 perspectives)
- ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (3 perspectives)
European methods:
- CML-IA (baseline and non-baseline)
- Ecological scarcity 2021
- EF 3.1 - Environmental Footprint Method (adapted)
- EN 15804 + A2 (adapted)
- Environmental Prices
- EPD (2018)
- EPS 2015D and EPS 2015DX
North American methods
Single issue methods:
- Cumulative Energy Demand
- Cumulative Energy Demand (LHV)
- Cumulative Exergy Demand
- IPCC 2021 (8 variations, including GWP 100a, 20a and 500a, with and without CO2-uptake)
(ESU-services provides a version of this method which helps to assess additional Global warming potential due to emissions released in high altitudes, e.g. due to aviation) - Selected LCI results (+ additional)
- USEtox 2 (recommended + interim)
Water Footprint:
- AWARE
- Berger et al 2014, WAVE (Water Scarcity)
- Boulay et al 2011 (Water Scarcity)
- Hoekstra et al 2012 (Water Scarcity)
Superseded:
- BEES
- Boulay et al 2011 (Human Health)
- CML 1992
- CML 2 baseline 2000
- CML 2001 (all impact categories)
- Eco-indicator 95
- Eco-indicator 99 (E/H/I)
- Ecological Footprint
- Ecological Scarcity 2021 and older
- Ecosystem Damage Potential
- EDIP/UMIP 97
- EDIP 2003
- EPD (2023)
- EPS 2000
- Greenhouse Gas Protocol
- ILCD 2011 Midpoint+
- IMPACT 2002+
- IPCC 2001 GWP (100a/20a/500a)
- IPCC 2007 GWP (100a/20a/500a)
- IPCC 2013 GWP (100a/20a/500a)
- Motoshita et al 2010 (Human Health)
- Pfister et al 2009 (Eco-indicator 99)
- Pfister et al 2009 (Water Scarcity)
- Pfister et al 2010 (ReCiPe)
- ReCiPe
- TRACI
- TRACI 2.1
- USEtox
