BIO_LCA_TOOL

SIMPLIFIED LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT TOOL

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Since the current challenge for European aerospace sector is to reduce the relative impact of aviation to balance out the effects of ever-growing needs for air transport, the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative was launched by European Commission in 2007 within the 7th Research Framework Programme. In the frame of this project, the “Simplified LCA tool” topic aims at developing a simplified LCA software tailored for the aerospace sector. To meet that demand, BIO proposes to build a modular, user-friendly, simplified LCA tool that adapts to the expertise level of each user, following 4 main stages: -Defining the needs and requirements as well as the relevant development option by interviewing stakeholders and designing a task force of industrials for the project; -Translating those elements into detailed functional specifications; -Developing the application; -Testing the application by users and ensuring a good dissemination of the tool. This project will be carried out in close coordination with the topic manager. BIO has many assets for this project: multi-disciplinary expertise and experience in the fields of LCA, especially LCA tool development, ecodesign studies, multicriteria analyses and environmental communication. For 20 years, our methods have been acknowledged, notably by the European Union and the private sector. We recently carried out many studies for the aerospace sector: LCA of launchers for the European Space Agency, Support of Dassault Systèmes for the LCA of a business aircraft, etc. The work delivered by BIO will contribute to providing aerospace stakeholders with a single, ergonomic and efficient tool. This interface will guarantee users a comprehensive and quick understanding of Life Cycle Thinking to promote a sustainable and reliable approach of LCA in Europe, which may contribute to fostering eco-design in the EU, and therefore to giving the European aerospace sector a new opportunity for differentiation, efficiency and competitiveness.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Aviation is becoming more environmentally friendly with a new software tool that helps improve aircraft performance during every life-cycle stage, from construction to end-of-life through operation.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

In an admirable drive to make air transport greener, the European Commission has been focusing on improving life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and promoting eco-design of aircrafts. The EU-funded BIO_LCA_TOOL (Simplified life cycle assessment tool) project developed a tool for this purpose, supporting enhanced eco-design for airframes.

Building on earlier efforts by Airbus, one of the two key partners in this endeavour, the project team delivered a free software tool application with a smart interface to support Europe's aviation industry. This fits perfectly with the industry's Eco-Design for Airframe (EDA) initiative, which aims at reducing inputs (energy, raw materials) and outputs (emissions, solid waste) throughout the aircraft's life cycle.

To achieve its aims, the project brought Airbus together with BIO Intelligence Service (now BIO by Deloitte), a leader in resource efficiency and LCA. The partnership delivered a flexible eco-design software tool and a comprehensive dissemination plan to enable efficient deployment across Europe's aerospace industry. The Excel-based application, which was dubbed LEAF (tooL for Eco-designing AirFrame), will effectively foster life-cycle thinking and LCA in line with the European Platform on Life Cycle Assessment (EPLCA).

The project is also expected to encourage innovation in the sector and invite aviation developers to think in a more sustainable manner. In this context, the eco-design tool proposes enhancements to improve product quality and environmental performance. It also supports the articulation of standards and regulations in the future, encouraging competitiveness in the European aerospace industry. With better LCA, Europe's aviation sector is firmly on the road to a cleaner and greener future.