Life Cycle Assessment, EPD and DPP
The added value of a Life Cycle Assessment
A Life Cycle Assessment, or 'LCA' for short, provides a detailed overview of the environmental impacts of a product or product group throughout its entire life cycle - from raw material extraction to production, use, and waste processing. On that basis, you implement targeted improvements to reduce your footprint.
Identify hotspots
Discover where in the life cycle the greatest environmental impact lies and where you can improve most efficiently. No more guesswork - only targeted actions based on solid data.
Reduce your impact
Use data-driven insights to make more sustainable choices in your production and processes. From raw material selection to final processing - every step is optimized.
Reduce operational costs
Optimize processes and reduce material and energy costs through more efficient workflows. Ensure sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.
Show transparency
Clearly report your environmental performance to customers and stakeholders with validated data. Build trust through measurable results.
Life Cycle Assessment: how does it work?
Defining goal and scope
Together, we determine what you want to analyze, which approach best suits your goals, and set clear boundaries for the analysis.
Data inventory
We systematically collect data on inputs (raw materials, energy) and outputs (emissions, waste) at each stage of the life cycle.
Analyzing impact
We evaluate the environmental impacts of all data: CO₂ emissions, water usage, land use, and other relevant impact categories.
Analysis and interpretation
We thoroughly analyze the results to identify the most significant environmental impacts and promising areas for improvement.
Reporting
We report all results according to international standards (ISO 14040, ISO 14044, PEF) in a clear, actionable document.
Concrete action plan
We translate insights into concrete actions with timelines, responsibilities, and measurable KPIs for lasting impact.
Need an LCA? Here's why you should choose Mantis
With extensive LCA experience in sectors such as construction, chemicals, food, and manufacturing, we guide companies in Belgium and Europe from scope definition to final report. Together, we ensure that your sustainability reporting not only meets all relevant requirements but also adds concrete value to your business strategy.
Complete peace of mind. From data collection to action plan implementation – we guide you through the entire process.
Pragmatic approach. No academic theories, but practical, actionable insights that make an immediate impact.
Proven track record of results. Our team has already completed dozens of successful LCAs, achieving demonstrable CO₂ reductions and cost savings for companies of all sizes.
In-depth expertise. Our experts master all LCA methodologies and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in sustainability reporting.
What insights does an LCA provide?
A smaller footprint for products or processes starts with understanding the current situation. A life cycle assessment provides answers to questions such as:
How high are the CO₂ emissions of your product(group) or service?
Is the environmental impact primarily in raw material extraction, production, or the use phase?
How do you perform compared to competitors in the market?
Where are the biggest opportunities for improvement and how do you effectively address them?
Which LCA analysis is right for your organization?
Avoiding analysis paralysis means making the right choice from the start. LCA is a broad concept with many possibilities. Depending on your goals and specific needs, we help you choose the appropriate framework. However, the basic LCA approach always remains the same.
Digital Product Passport (DPP) → A requirement stemming from the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), aiming to extend product lifespans.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) → According to standardized regulations for sharing product information. Primarily in the construction sector.
Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) → Same basis, but the results focus solely on greenhouse gas emissions.
Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) → According to the regulations set by the EU. There is significant overlap with the other analyses.
From LCA to EPD
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized document that summarizes the environmental impact of a product based on an LCA. Increasingly, tenders and sector initiatives require an EPD as proof of environmental performance claims. The EPD process builds upon your life cycle assessment: the LCA provides the data, and the EPD makes that data publicly verifiable.
Spirotech strengthened its position in tenders with a certified EPD. Acterra was the first in Belgium to publish a B-EPD for green roof substrate.
Ready to get started?
Map the environmental impact of your products or processes and develop a concrete action plan for more sustainable production.
Not our words
"The team always thinks along with us, for both the short and long term. Pragmatic, efficient, and technically excellent. Their experience has often made the difference for us, in strategy and in the field."
Marc Croonen
Chief HR, Sustainability & Communication at Vandemoortele
“Why Mantis? An accessible approach and a high level of expertise. They successfully translate complex regulations into something workable for our organization.”
Jan Laroy
Managing Partner at Urbastyle
Frequently Asked Questions
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A life cycle assessment maps the environmental impact of a product or service across its entire life cycle: from raw material extraction and production to use and waste processing. The methodology is based on the international ISO 14040 standard. The result is an objective, data-driven picture of where the greatest impact lies and where opportunities for improvement exist.
The duration of an LCA can vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the product or process and the availability of data. Factors such as data accuracy, the chosen scope, and the involvement of internal teams can impact the timeline.
If you want to gain a complete insight into the environmental impact of products or processes, an LCA is a worthwhile investment. By conducting an LCA, you can identify environmentally impactful hotspots, but also achieve savings, for example, through more efficient raw material use or lower energy consumption.
In short, although an LCA costs time and money, it helps your company make more sustainable choices, improve your competitive position, and comply with regulations and customer demands.
There are so many different LCA models because each model is designed around specific goals, sectors, and available data, and takes into account various impact categories such as CO2 emissions, water usage, toxicity, and more. Confused by all the LCA frameworks? We offer clear advice.
No, one LCA model is not inherently better than another. It all depends on the context in which the model is used. Therefore, it's important to choose the right model that aligns with your specific needs, sustainability goals, and available resources.
No, an LCA is not necessarily essential. In some cases, a more focused analysis, such as a Carbon Footprint analysis, may suffice. This is especially true when the primary goal is to reduce CO2 emissions or when the main environmental impact is already known.
An LCA is suitable for any company that needs to comply with legal environmental requirements, or that wants to make products more sustainable and improve environmental performance. Any company that develops products can use it for strategic decision-making in product development, supply chain management, and sustainable procurement policies.
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized document that summarizes the environmental impact of a product, based on an LCA and verified by an independent party. An EPD makes your environmental performance claims publicly verifiable and is increasingly requested in construction tenders.
Also interesting?
Carbon Footprint
Energy audit or plan
Sustainability reporting
Sustainabilityplan
Climate risk analysis
VLAIO Greening Scan
EcoVadis guidance
SBTi guidance
VSME reporting
CO₂ Performance Ladder
Tailored services
