Utilizing LCAs as a Proactive Approach for Sustainable Product Development

Few studies have explored how life cycle assessment (LCA) can shape research and development, and how such information can be used to improve new product development and commercialization. In this lecture, we will take an inter-disciplinary perspective to propose a proactive framework that combines LCA with technological, commercial and societal (TCS) uncertainties analysis. We will discuss the application of this framework using the example of an emerging Phenol-formaldehyde resin from a renewable raw material. We will show that our analysis identified environmental and societal levers (e.g. stakeholders support, environmental benefits) related to the new resin and commercialization barriers (e.g. technical issues, high costs) to be addressed by the developers. In addition to the traditional LCA role of identifying environmental hotspots of new technology development, a proactive approach can enhance its usefulness by identifying context specific issues and by supporting developers attempting to legitimize and commercialize more sustainable products.