A carbon report is only useful when it changes what happens on site.

Life Cycle Assessment + Decarbonisation Model, or LCA+, is our commercial service for food and process manufacturers. We use life cycle modelling to examine the way a site consumes energy, water and materials, with waste and logistics included where they affect the question.

A typical project takes four to eight weeks, depending on the scope and access to data, with Aminu Owonikoko leading the review and building the life cycle model in Minviro XYCLE.

We build a footprint covering Scopes 1–4 in Minviro XYCLE (LCA).

Using data from the operation, we model direct emissions, purchased energy and value chain emissions, then examine opportunities to reduce them. Scope 4 is an emerging concept: avoided emissions are shown separately from the Scopes 1–3 inventory.

The work produces a baseline footprint, hotspot analysis, a modelled reduction pathway and practical opportunities to reduce operating costs. We start with cost and likely carbon effect, then account for the work each option would create on site and any operating risk attached to it.

Some reductions will depend on major equipment or infrastructure. Where an option requires significant capital, the model can set out the case for further engineering and procurement work.

Gasol is developing broomcorn as a UK grown source of non food ethanol. Agronomy trials are under way at Langford, Bristol, including precision compost work. Aminu reports higher yield and lower carbon intensity in the early trial results.

ORE has completed techno economic and life cycle comparison work on broomcorn, wheat straw and corn stover. Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation validation and a pilot line are planned.

Manufacturers approaching LCA+ need access to site data and an operational question that matters to the business. Gasol enquiries are welcome from people who can fund the next stage, strengthen the agronomy or help ORE understand the requirements of fuel buyers.