LCA software for preparing and managing EPDs: R<THINK by Kiwa
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What is R<THINK by Kiwa?
R<THINK by Kiwa is an integrated software platform for calculating, managing and sharing environmental data. Developed on the basis of decades of experience in Life Cycle Assessments, the software helps manufacturers prepare LCAs and EPDs independently and efficiently. The platform consists of three components: R<THINK LCA, R<THINK CCF and R<THINK SHARE.
What is an LCA?
An LCA assesses a product’s environmental impacts throughout the relevant stages of its life cycle. These may include raw material and energy use, production, transportation and end-of-life processing. This information helps you identify where the greatest environmental impacts occur and which improvements are possible.
What is an EPD?
An EPD presents the results of an LCA in a standardized environmental declaration. This enables customers, clients and other stakeholders to assess and compare the environmental performance of products. Independent verification and publication of EPDs are subject to separate procedures and requirements.
R<THINK LCA by Kiwa supports this process with automated calculations, available environmental databases, reporting features and options for importing and reusing data. R<THINK by Kiwa allows you to manage both individual products and larger product portfolios. Please note that the software supports the preparation of EPD calculations, but these are not automatically independently verified.
What are the benefits of R<THINK by Kiwa?
- Prepare LCAs and EPDs independently
R<THINK by Kiwa users have online access to their product calculations and can modify data themselves and calculate new scenarios. This reduces their dependence on external parties for every change to a product or production process. The effects of changes become visible immediately, enabling users to assess more quickly which decisions contribute to better environmental performance. - Manage EPDs efficiently
Are raw materials, energy consumption, suppliers or production processes changing? With R<THINK by Kiwa, you can assess the effects of these changes and update calculations accordingly. By recording and reusing data in a structured way, you reduce duplicated work and gain greater control over the management of your LCAs and EPDs. - Use reliable environmental data
R<THINK by Kiwa provides access to various environmental data sources, including ecoinvent, EPDs for raw materials and company-specific environmental profiles. Predefined data structures and content building blocks support a consistent approach and help users meet the requirements of the applicable standards. - Gain immediate insight into opportunities for improvement
The software presents calculation results in a clear format. Users can analyze the contributions of different materials, production processes and life cycle stages and compare product variants. This helps identify opportunities to save raw materials and energy and reduce waste and emissions. - Generate reports automatically
R<THINK by Kiwa generates reports in various formats, including LCA background reports, Excel files containing calculations and results and EPDs. This simplifies documentation and preparation for verification and makes the results usable for different stakeholders. - Share environmental data digitally
R<THINK SHARE by Kiwa makes EPD data machine-readable so it can be exchanged with other systems. Through API integrations, for example, data can be used in BIM software, ERP systems, data platforms and Digital Product Passport applications. This means environmental data is not only available in a PDF but can also be used in digital processes, helping you prepare for the requirements under CPR 2024 and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
How does R<THINK LCA by Kiwa work?
R<THINK by Kiwa supports the key steps, from calculating environmental impacts to preparing and sharing an EPD.
Collect your data
Map your product’s composition, material use, energy consumption, transportation and other relevant data. Where possible, use existing data and available environmental profiles.
Calculate the environmental impact
R<THINK by Kiwa processes the data to produce an LCA. The calculations identify the environmental impacts of your product throughout the relevant life cycle stages.
Analyze the results
Review which components contribute most to the environmental impact. Compare product variants and assess the effects of alternative materials or production processes.
Prepare your EPD
Use the calculations to generate an EPD and its supporting documentation in accordance with the applicable methodology and reporting requirements.
Prepare for verification and publication
The generated reports support the verification process. Following the required independent verification and any applicable publication process, you can make EPD data digitally available and share it.
Which organizations and products is R<THINK by Kiwa suitable for?
R<THINK by Kiwa LCA focuses on two product groups:
- Construction products, for which EN 15804 is the primary standard.
- Electrical and electronic equipment, for which EN 50693 is the relevant standard.
The software is suitable for manufacturers that regularly prepare and maintain LCAs and EPDs. It saves time, particularly when managing large numbers of products, product variants or production locations, by recording and reusing environmental data efficiently. R<THINK by Kiwa also supports improvements in environmental performance during product development. By adjusting calculations, comparing alternatives and analyzing the effects of improvement measures, you can identify opportunities to make products more sustainable.
R<THINK by Kiwa from Kiwa NIBE
R<THINK by Kiwa was developed using Kiwa NIBE’s decades of LCA expertise. In addition to the software, Kiwa NIBE and Kiwa’s international network of experts provide technical support for using the platform and conducting Life Cycle Assessments. Through onboarding and training, you learn how to use the software and independently prepare and manage LCAs and EPDs.
Ready to manage LCAs and EPDs more efficiently?
Would you like to calculate your products’ environmental impact yourself, prepare EPDs and manage environmental data more effectively? Discover what R<THINK by Kiwa can do for your organization. Contact Kiwa NIBE for more information about the software, available licenses and options for your products.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): Demonstrate your product’s environmental impact
Would you like to demonstrate the environmental impact of your products? An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) makes your product’s environmental performance transparent. Kiwa NIBE supports you throughout the EPD development process, from the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to reporting, verification and publication. This gives you reliable environmental data for tenders, sustainable construction and international market access.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Assess your product’s environmental impact
Would you like to gain insight into the environmental impact of your product, process or service? With a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Kiwa NIBE systematically assesses environmental impacts throughout the life cycle.
