GaBi Latest Upgrade

GaBi LCA Databases 2019 - Midyear Release (July 9th, 2019)

In the scope of the GaBi Databases 2019 Midyear Release we provide you with a couple of new and updated LCI datasets and new LCIA methodologies:

1. Datasets

In the GaBi Professional Database:

1 new and 46 updated steel datasets from Worldsteel

17 new and 15 updated polymer datasets from Plastics Europe

3 new Molybdenum datasets from IMOA (International Molybdenum Association)

In the GaBi Extension Database XXI India:

1 bug-fix in ts' Indian Aluminium Ingot dataset

2. LCIA Methodologies

New EN 15804 impact assessment methodology for the EN 15804 construction standard that has been amended in 2019
The old EN 15804 was based on CML as calculated in 2012. The new EN15804 is based on the EF 3.0 (see below) with one notable difference. The biogenic carbon uptake and re-emission is included in EN15804 as opposed to EF 3.0. For more details about EN 15804 click here.

New Environmental Footprint impact assessment methodology EF 3.0 for the EF transition phase
Compared to EF 2.0 the toxicity impacts are now specified into inorganic substances, organic substances, and metals. Furthermore, the entire set of toxicity factors has been expanded and re-calculated. For more details about EF 3.0 click here.

Among the new impact assessment methods, we recommend caution when drawing conclusions based on the results for the toxicity assessment methods (i.e., human toxicity cancer, human toxicity non-cancer, and freshwater eco-toxicity) as well as resource depletion (minerals and metals). The methodologies might not be robust and proficient enough (and are lacking application experience with widely used LCI databases) for making important decisions based on the results calculated with those impact assessment methods.

Please note that following the revised EN 15804:2019 (same as under the Environmental Footprint 2.0 and 3.0 rules) non-ILCD/EF compliant flows should never be characterized, even if there is a technical equivalence in an LCA context. This affects particular ore resource flows of specific metal content (e.g., "Lead - zinc ore (4.6% - 0.6%”), "Iron ore”, …) and all minerals that are not included in the ILCD/EF flow list. Some datasets from industry associations and older EPD datasets—that thinkstep is republishing unchanged—still make use of these flows. Therefore, those datasets may calculate relevantly lower impacts in "Resource depletion, minerals and metals” than they would if those flows were replaced by ILCD/EF compliant flows (e.g., in the above case "Zinc [Non-renewable elements]”, "Lead [Non-renewable elements]”, "Iron [Non-renewable elements]”). We therefore recommend caution when using such datasets in models intended to apply the impact methods/quantities of EN15804:2019, EF 2.0 and EF 3.0.

In addition, please note that for both EN 15804 and EF 3.0 LCIA Methodologies (same as for all other LCIA methodologies in GaBi), we provide the characterization factors exclusively for elementary flows that are actively used anywhere in the GaBi databases (and in any other data licensed to GaBi clients, such as e.g. the ecoinvent database). This is to avoid flooding users with unused elementary flows that would counteract efficient inventory work: The EF 3.0 and EN 15804 LCIA methodologies specify characterization factors for about 93,000 elementary flows, several times as many as are actively used in LCA practice. In case you ever would need an elementary flow that is not available in GaBi, please be hence aware that when creating that flow, you need to potentially add the characterization factor of the LCIA Methodology that you foresee to use.

GaBi Databases 2019 Edition

We have fully refreshed all GaBi datasets included in the GaBi Databases 2019 Edition with the most current, consistent energy data and the latest available technological information, giving you the peace of mind that you can continue to work with the best data available on the market. We enriched the content with more than 300 new datasets—a free, voluntary bonus for all clients with an annual maintenance contract or subscription license.

In addition, there is a new 'End-of-Life-Parameterized Models' database, with over 130 parameterized plans that support you in consistently and efficiently modelling various disposal and recycling pathways, and that allow you to easily switch between different methods (Environmental Footprint, cut off, avoided burden).

The total number of plans and processes amounts to about 12,500 and is by far the largest, consistent LCA database in this quality worldwide.

Since the 2017 Edition, we have included regionalized water and land use data throughout the GaBi Databases, which you can use with your own regional water consumption information. We have further advanced the compliance and standardization for ISO 14040 /14044 / 14025, EN 15804, ILCD, EF (PEF/OEF), and the internal dataset documentation is more detailed than in previous versions. Continue reading to learn more about these and other improvements in this year’s content upgrade.

Environmental Footprint – Important Note!

Working with EF Data provided in GaBi

With the release of the GaBi Database 2019 Edition, thinkstep has provided you with the official EF 2.0 characterisation factors and the mapping to the official units and official elementary flows from the ILCD export/import function..

The EF 2.0 version is the only version that can be used to generate PEF/OEF results under pilot phase PEFCRs/OEFSRs and to create EF data as an ILCD export file.

Do not use previous versions of EF characterization factors and ILCD zip archives anymore!

Earlier versions of EF/ILCD LCIA methods and flow lists have no official status and datasets developed with those earlier versions may not be EF compliant.

In case you have been using a previous version of the EF characterization factors, please update any created datasets with re-export. Similarly, recalculate the results using the EF 2.0 in GaBi, double checking the datasets created by users against recent official EF documents, before claiming compliance.

If you need assistance, please contact: content spamgeschützt @ spamgeschützt thinkstep.com

EF 3.0 is available online on the EC website since April 2019. You can only use this version for developing PEFCRs/OEFSRs during the transition phase and for any other PEF/OEF studies where a PEFCR/OEFSR is not available. The EF 3.0 LCIA methodologies are now available in GaBi, since the 25 June 2019 midyear update. As to data exchange and there are no use cases yet for import or export of EF 3.0 data sets, such interfaces will be made available in GaBi later.

Features GaBi Databases 2019 Edition

Fully refreshed database content

We have fully refreshed all datasets in the 2019 Edition to represent the latest energy and technology information, legislation and supply chains. With GaBi Data, you can rest assured that you are using the most up-to-date data available. This includes, among other things:

Energy mix and production data updates, globally.
This includes, among other things:

1. Global energy mix and production data updates
2. Extensive Update of the treatment plant models
3. Revised the use of prohibited substances in accordance with the Montreal Protocol
4. Updated information on biogenic carbon content, water content, as well as prices in many products for use, such as in the allocation
5. Adjusted primary energy from solar energy for renewable materials
6. Integrated land use impacts for underground mining
7. Integrated infrastructure into wastewater treatment datasets
8. Updated ship transmittance emissions
9. Changed global supply chains
10. Revised of the end-of-life for building technology
11. Updated mapping files for all element flows to / from the ILCD / EF flow list used in the European Commission's PEF / OEF context (as of November 2018, EF 2.0)
12. Update of US road transport fuel consumption data

• We have further extended and improved documentation at the LCI level for many datasets, giving you efficient and structured access to all details about what each data set represents, how it was modelled, data sources, achieved data quality (with a set of data quality indicators), review information and compliance (e.g., with ISO 14040 and 14044 for all our own datasets and ILCD data network entry-level for a selection). Did you know that you can browse the entire documentation?

• You can find all changes we made in the important Upgrades and Improvement document. It provides you with information on relevantly affected datasets or groups of datasets, the extent of changes in terms of changed impact results (for most cases) and reasons for the changes. Glance through the report to check for any changes that might affect your models and to stay on top of your results and analyses.

 
We have added more than 300 new LCI datasets, including:
 
Professional database: 3 new plans, 162 new processes, the latest national and region-specific aluminum routes, IAI data, various chemicals and materials, Australian wood products and disposal of FWPA, new energy carriers and transport processes and nickel, lead, kaolin data from relevant associations, etc.

Extension database II, Energy: 84 new processes, 1 new plan - different power mix Future scenarios of important nations for 2025, 2030, 2040, other country-specific energy carriers and fuels, etc.

Extension database IX, End of Life: 13 new processes—waste collection, open waste incineration, municipal wastewater treatment based on a completely revised model, new datasets for hazardous waste incineration in the US

New Extension Database IXb, End of Life - Parameterized Models: 137 support material and country-specific plans and processes for the consistent and efficient modeling of various disposal and recycling routes and allow easy switching between different methods (PEF, cut-off, avoided burden)

Extension database XIV, Construction materials: 24 new processes - Cement variants China, EPDs of various companies with a focus on insulating plastics (EPS), precast concrete elements, Portland cement, etc.

Extension database XVII, full US: 27 new processes - waste incineration of various plastics and printed circuit boards, EPDs from various companies, H2O2, ammonia, etc.

Twenty-five new processes have been added to the Additional Databases Food and Feed XX, India XXI, Renewable Resources XII, Electronics XI, Organics Ia & Inorganics Ib—from glucose syrup to IC electronic components.

The total number of plans and processes is now more than 12,500!


Standards/compliance support (Examples)

• All GaBi datasets conform to ISO 14040 and 14044, similar to all other datasets from third parties that we distribute.
• The water flows and land use flows of all GaBi ts relevant processes are regionalized, allowing you to apply the new EF-compliant AWARE method for water scarcity and the EF-compliant land use method LANCA, e.g., in the context of studies on the Environmental Footprint (PEF / OEF). All existing and newly added datasets in the “Construction” extension database continue to be available in the modular structure of EN 15804, ensuring you can model and develop EPDs in compliance with this essential European construction standard. Note that construction materials in the ''Full US'' extension database do not implement the European EN 15804, to better support their use in the US.
• GaBi Databases support EF (PEF/OEF)-compliant studies and modern data exchange, with full ILCD documentation functionality and for your own data sets, with further improved import and export functionalities from / to ILCD, including an updated mapping of flows, sizes and units according to the current reference list of ILCD / EF from November 2018 (EF 2.0).
  

LCIA Update

• Four new quantities from ISO 14067 GWP (based on IPCC AR5) are now available. They use the same characterization values as IPCC AR5, but split into fossil, biogenic, land use and aviation.
• Environmental Footprint (EF): The characterization factors have been updated to version 2.0. The most important innovation is the introduction of three subcategories for climate change: fossil, biogenic and land use. These three effects add up to the overall impact of climate change.
  

Benefits GaBi Databases 2019 Edition

Work with the world's most current and most extensively documented product sustainability data.

Base your decisions on the latest and most relevant LCIA data on the market.

The high number of more than 12,500 plans and processes in total makes it even easier to find the right data for your specific requirements. You also have the assurance that this is the most accurate and up-to-date information of its kind, reflecting industrial realities and not just derived from energetic assumptions, simplified stoichiometric models or academic studies, as is often the case.

EF (PEF / OEF) support—stay up-to-date with your projects by getting the latest information and changes on this European market and policy-driven development.

Build EPDs and Life Cycle Assessments for entire buildings quickly and easily, compliant with EN 15804. This saves you valuable time and helps you maintain your competitive advantage.

What do I need to do to get my upgrade on GaBi Databases 2019 Edition?

Nothing - we’ll deliver it straight to you!

In February 2019 all our clients with an active maintenance contract or subscription license receive an automatical upgrade of their software and databases (except for new data and database products, such as the new additional database 'End-of-Life - Parameterized Models').

Note: After that date, if you don’t receive a message that a new version is available, or when you check your GaBi software under “Help/Check for updates on thinkstep,” please contact your local GaBi sales representative. Your license may have expired.
 

Find out more GaBi Databases 2019 Edition

List of datasets: >> click here to view/download

GaBi database upgrade guide: click here to view/download

Details and Reasons for Changes: >> click here to view/download

Change log GaBi Service Packs: click here to view/download

If you have any urgent questions regarding your GaBi upgrade, please don’t hesitate to contact your local GaBi sales representative.