New standard Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database on US
industry now available

LCA has become an integral part of the product development process for the
majority of large European and Japanese companies. So far US companies seem
to be falling behind this development, mainly due to a lack of reliable US
data. An exclusive cooperation between the renowned US-based Franklin
Associates and the Dutch market leader in LCA software PRé Consultants has
resulted in a unique US LCA database. With this database companies can
produce much better LCA studies then before, at a fraction of the normal
costs. 

Many European and especially Japanese companies have proudly presented
product improvements generated by systematically applying LCA in the
product development process. Many have also shown that such improvements
generate new business opportunities, as consumers indeed do care about the
environment. Another driving force is the "greening" of the tax systems in
Europe. The long-term trend is bound to be an increased taxation on less
environmentally sound products and activities. In contrast, the lack of
good LCA data has been a serious obstacle for the application of LCA and
Eco-design in North America and many companies risk missing opportunities. 

The new Franklin database contains a wide range of emissions and resource
consumption parameters for the 86 most commonly used materials and
processes in the USA. These processes include the production of:

· Electricity and heat from different fuel mixes
· Virgin and recycled content models for plastic, paper, cardboard steel,
aluminum and glass
· Different transport modes and mechanical energy systems.

As all data have been extensively peer reviewed and fully documented this
database is a perfect starting point for LCA practitioners. The
practitioner can concentrate its efforts on collecting very company
specific data. This will make the work focussed and efficient.
Franklin Associates, which collected the data, is the world's first LCA
consultancy. It started to develop the LCA concept in 1972. The data for
this database have been developed during a series of projects for the US
EPA and private industry, and are up to date for the late 1990's.  

PRé Consultants produces the database for its SimaPro LCA software.
Originally introduced in 1990, SimaPro is now the most widely used LCA
software package in the world. Version 4.0 contains a wealth of data and
advanced features, which make LCA analysis highly efficient and
informative. The database is freely available for all SimaPro users with a
service contract.  

More information, including a fully functional demo, can be found on
http://www.pre.nl. 

Or contact our US representative:
Sylvatica
Mr. Gregory A. Norris 
147 Bauneg Hill Road
North Berwick
Maine 03906
phone: 207-676-7640
fax: 207-676-7647
e-mail : [log in to unmask]


Mr. Michiel Oele
PRe Consultants BV		phone:   +31 33 4555022
Plotterweg 12			fax:  	  +31 33 4555024
3821 BB Amersfoort		e-mail:    [log in to unmask]
The Netherlands		web site: http://www.pre.nl



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