Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Understanding LCAs: The Hidden Factors That Shape Environmental Impact with Thomas Kägi
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Understanding LCAs: The Hidden Factors That Shape Environmental Impact with Thomas Kägi
Many organizations rely on LCAs (Life Cycle Assessments) to guide sustainability decisions, but the method is only as reliable as the data and assumptions used to build it. In this episode, Thomas Kägi, Member of the Board at Carbotech AG, explains how to structure an LCA so that the results reflect real environmental impact and not just guesses or incomplete boundaries.
Thomas describes how the functional unit sets the entire frame for an analysis, why the use phase can overshadow production in environmental impact, and how to work with supplier-specific data when it is available. He also breaks down when uncertainty matters, how to start with a screening LCA, and why rules such as ISO standards and EPDs are essential for making comparisons that are fair.
In this conversation, we cover:
- Why an LCA only makes sense when the underlying question is clear
- How system boundaries shape the outcome of a study
- Why the use phase can account for most of a product's impact
- How to work with databases and supplier-specific data
- When uncertainty in LCA data matters and when it does not
- How standards create comparability across different products
🎧 If you want a practical understanding of how environmental impact is measured and how to avoid common mistakes, this episode provides a grounded and straightforward guide.
Connect with Thomas Kägi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-k%C3%A4gi-262648a0/
Connect with us:
If you're a MedTech company evaluating commercialization risk or sustainability challenges, let’s talk: https://lucaspianegonda.clickfunnels.com/optin1756907952105
🎧 Subscribe to the Gradical Podcast for insights on MedTech sustainability and innovation:
🟣 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gradical-podcast-the-podcast-about-plastics-in/id1773569554
🟢 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4vNQ6rPE2CQUGgQtEY3sYq
📺 YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@GradicalGmbH
🌍 Learn more about Gradical: https://gradical.ch/
📩 Work with Lucas and the team: [email protected]
Do you enjoy this podcast? Then subscribe, rate it on your platform, and join the discussion on LinkedIn! Your feedback and comments help us improve the podcast and bring you relevant topics. Let’s form a better world with plastics!
If you are a Medtech company struggling to make your devices more sustainable, let’s talk—BOOK A CALL HERE.
You can also check our Youtube Channel with lots of free trainings and resources here: Lucas R. Pianegonda - YouTube
Website: www.gradical.ch
View all episodes
By Lucas PianegondaMany organizations rely on LCAs (Life Cycle Assessments) to guide sustainability decisions, but the method is only as reliable as the data and assumptions used to build it. In this episode, Thomas Kägi, Member of the Board at Carbotech AG, explains how to structure an LCA so that the results reflect real environmental impact and not just guesses or incomplete boundaries.
Thomas describes how the functional unit sets the entire frame for an analysis, why the use phase can overshadow production in environmental impact, and how to work with supplier-specific data when it is available. He also breaks down when uncertainty matters, how to start with a screening LCA, and why rules such as ISO standards and EPDs are essential for making comparisons that are fair.
In this conversation, we cover:
- Why an LCA only makes sense when the underlying question is clear
- How system boundaries shape the outcome of a study
- Why the use phase can account for most of a product's impact
- How to work with databases and supplier-specific data
- When uncertainty in LCA data matters and when it does not
- How standards create comparability across different products
🎧 If you want a practical understanding of how environmental impact is measured and how to avoid common mistakes, this episode provides a grounded and straightforward guide.
Connect with Thomas Kägi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-k%C3%A4gi-262648a0/
Connect with us:
If you're a MedTech company evaluating commercialization risk or sustainability challenges, let’s talk: https://lucaspianegonda.clickfunnels.com/optin1756907952105
🎧 Subscribe to the Gradical Podcast for insights on MedTech sustainability and innovation:
🟣 Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gradical-podcast-the-podcast-about-plastics-in/id1773569554
🟢 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4vNQ6rPE2CQUGgQtEY3sYq
📺 YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@GradicalGmbH
🌍 Learn more about Gradical: https://gradical.ch/
📩 Work with Lucas and the team: [email protected]
Do you enjoy this podcast? Then subscribe, rate it on your platform, and join the discussion on LinkedIn! Your feedback and comments help us improve the podcast and bring you relevant topics. Let’s form a better world with plastics!
If you are a Medtech company struggling to make your devices more sustainable, let’s talk—BOOK A CALL HERE.
You can also check our Youtube Channel with lots of free trainings and resources here: Lucas R. Pianegonda - YouTube
Website: www.gradical.ch