Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Whilst the term ‘carbon footprint’ is now known to almost all of us, it is only one of a number of key environmental indicators that can be measured by way of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

Our first NatureFlex™ LCA was conducted in 2007, based on data from 2006. This LCA was used primarily for internal benchmarking purposes and to ensure that process investments were targeted to maximise the potential environmental benefit.

A subsequent LCA in 2011 was taken to independent peer review in order to verify the data and methodology used. The LCA was updated in 2014 and 2017 and has very recently been updated to incorporate recent process improvements and to model future investments. The LCAs have all been carried out by Sphera (previously thinkstep) using the GaBi software.

The graph below highlights the improvements made in the environmental indicators shown from 2007 to 2021 for coated NatureFlex™ films, and shows the predicted improvements up until 2027, based on advances in technology and changes to the process:

 

GLOSSARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

(PEF Guide EC JRC)