An LCA for adaptor couplings used to repair and refurbish drainage and sewer pipelines
Challenge
Fernco wanted to calculate the carbon footprint of one of their adaptor coupling products and compare the impacts of assembly in the UK and Germany. Yordas utilised their LCA and industry knowledge to work with Fernco to overcome any technical and data-related challenges and ensure timely completion of the study.
Client
About the Client
Fernco is a UK-based manufacturer and distributor of specialist parts for the civils & drainage, plumbing and water management sectors.
Our Solution
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Yordas conducted a single-indicator, carbon footprint LCA following the four stage ISO 14040:2006 framework. The approach was iterative, often revisiting previous stages, to ensure full alignment with study goals.
Stage 1 – Goal and scope definition: all study goal and scope elements, such as the functional unit (relating to the dimensions of the product), system boundary, and data quality requirements were agreed with Fernco, upon commencing the project. This provided the framework for the rest of the study and was used to inform the data collection process.
Stage 2 – Inventory Analysis: worked closely with Fernco to use primary data from the pilot plant as a foundation for the LCA models. Yordas utilised its Data Management Tool (DMT) to assist in the data collection process. We established an inventory of product inputs (such as ingredients, materials, and energy requirements) and outputs (such as products, waste, and emissions) for each process, along with accompanying metadata including data sources and methods, to support the data quality assessment.
Stage 3 – Impact Assessment: product modelling was performed using the LCA for Experts software, previously known as GaBi. The ReCiPe 2016 methodology (version 1.1) was used to estimate the global warming potential (GWP) that includes the biogenic content, following the ILCD recommendations. The GWP measures the contribution of a substance to global warming, expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), when it is released into the atmosphere over a 100-year time frame.
Stage 4 – Interpretation: an environmental profile was generated for the products for both assembly scenarios (UK and Germany) and a hotspot analysis was performed to highlight the processes that contributed significantly to the overall footprint. A report containing the results of the environmental assessment was provided to Fernco including interpretations and recommendations on the next steps.
Benefits to the Client
The study provided quantifiable, data-driven insights and recommendations for Fernco to incorporate into its carbon reduction programme. Specifically:
Knowledge of the environmental footprint of each product and potential trade-offs between impacts to consider.
Identification of product hotspots where process design, material or logistical changes could help to reduce the carbon footprint
Evidence-based recommendations include pathways to optimise performance and achieve carbon reduction goals, such as material and supplier changes, in accordance with best practices.
Overall, Yordas’ study and recommendations not only help Fernco meet its carbon reduction goals but also contribute to its overall sustainability strategy, potentially enhancing its brand reputation and market competitiveness.
Start your LCA journey today
If you're interested in conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) but are unsure of where to begin or what is required, we're here to help.
Our team at Yordas specialises in LCA services and can provide you with the guidance and support you need to kickstart your sustainability journey. We are here to support you every step of the way as you work towards improving the environmental performance of your products and processes. To request a free consultation and learn more about our LCA services, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Additionally, more information about our LCA services can be found on our website here. We look forward to hearing from you and being a part of your sustainability journey.