ecoinvent

Core Features

• High-quality Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) dataset

• Global multi-sector environmental data

• Transparent methodological framework

• Support for LCA, EPDs and environmental footprinting

• Integration with leading LCA software (SimaPro, openLCA, Umberto, etc.)

• Scenario modelling

• Supply chain environmental impact assessment

• Data quality indicators and uncertainty modelling

• Versioned releases and updates

• Multi-region datasets

• Waste management LCI datasets

• Energy system modelling and material cycles

• Climate, toxicity, water and resource impact data

• Import/export of datasets

• Documentation and peer-reviewed methodology

Plans & Pricing

Ecoinvent uses a licensing model based on:

License Types:

• Academic license

• Business license

• EPD developer license

• Consultancy license

• Non-profit license

• LCA practitioner bundles

Pricing Structure:

Pricing varies based on:

• License type

• Number of users

• Dataset access level

• Database version updates

• API or partner tool integrations

Academic and research users receive reduced pricing.
Enterprise licenses cover large teams and EPD developers.

Integrations

Ecoinvent integrates with the world’s main LCA software tools:

• SimaPro

• openLCA

• Umberto

• Brightway2

• OneClick LCA

• GaBi / Sphera (indirect compatibility)

• Environmental footprint calculators

• Internal custom LCA tools via dataset import

Certifications & Awards

Ecoinvent is recognised for:

• Transparent data quality indicators

• Peer-reviewed methodology

• Global academic references in LCA research

• Alignment with ISO 14040 / 14044 principles

• Use in EPD and environmental footprint standards

(Ecoinvent itself is not a B Corp and does not hold ISO certification as a company; the methodology aligns with environmental standards.)

Expert Voices & Reviews

Common expert feedback includes:

• “The gold standard for LCI datasets in LCA modelling.”

• “Essential for accurate environmental footprinting.”

• “High transparency and methodological rigour.”

• “A critical resource for ecodesign and supply-chain modelling.”

Customers & Case Studies

Used by:

• Universities & research institutions

• Manufacturers

• Renewable energy companies

• EPD program operators

• Chemical and materials companies

• Government bodies

• Consultants and environmental engineers

Use cases include:

• LCA of products and services

• EPD creation

• Environmental hotspot identification

• Corporate ecodesign strategies

• Circular economy modelling

• Policy and regulatory impact assessments

Closing Insights

Ecoinvent is a foundational tool for any organisation performing life cycle assessment, footprinting or environmental modelling. Its main strengths are scientific rigor, transparency and broad cross-sector coverage.

Strengths:

• Global, peer-reviewed datasets

• Industry-leading LCI quality

• Widely supported across LCA tools

• Strong methodological transparency

• Essential for ecodesign, EPDs and regulatory reporting

Limitations:

• Not a user interface–driven software (data-focused)

• Requires LCA expertise to interpret

• Not a carbon accounting or ESG system

• Not suitable for real-time operational monitoring

Best For:

Manufacturing, chemicals, materials, waste management, construction, agriculture, energy, research, circular economy projects and environmental consultancies.

Resources

• https://ecoinvent.org/

• https://ecoinvent.org/the-ecoinvent-database/

• https://ecoinvent.org/support/

• https://ecoinvent.org/data-providers/

• https://ecoinvent.org/knowledge-base/

• https://ecoinvent.org/contact/