openLCA 2.5 Released with Enhanced EPD Workflows and Life Cycle Costing

GreenDelta has released openLCA version 2.5.0, delivering improvements to Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) workflows and expanding Life Cycle Costing functionality, reinforcing the open-source platform's position as a capable tool for both practitioners and researchers.

Key Points

• EPD results can now be set as default providers, enabling automatic linking in processes

• New folder organization system for imported EPD results

• Life Cycle Costing functionality extended to library-linked databases

• Navigation improvements including copy/paste shortcuts in the navigator

• Multiple bug fixes addressing social assessment scaling and project calculations

EPD Workflow Enhancements

The main updates in version 2.5.0 address demand for EPD development capabilities:

• EPD Results as Default Providers: Users can now set EPD results as default providers in processes. This allows automatic linking of EPD results into desired processes, which then display correctly in product systems without manual drag-and-drop operations. This streamlines workflows for practitioners working with upstream EPD data
• Improved EPD Organization: A new feature enables import of EPD results into dedicated folders, making it easier to organize, manage, and reuse EPD data across multiple projects. For consultancies managing numerous client projects, this organizational capability reduces the risk of data confusion

Life Cycle Costing Expansion

Version 2.5.0 introduces the ability to perform Life Cycle Costing (LCC) calculations for databases linked to libraries. This enhancement makes library usage more integrated and complete within openLCA, enabling practitioners to leverage pre-built library datasets while still conducting economic assessments. The integration addresses a common pain point for users who want to combine the efficiency of library-based modeling with full sustainability assessment including cost dimensions.

Navigation and Usability

The update includes practical improvements to daily workflow:

• Copy/paste shortcuts now function in the navigator, reducing friction in data management tasks

• Bug fixes address project calculation failures for systems without impact contributions

• Social aspect scale activity values in library exports have been corrected

Recent Database Updates

Complementing the software release, several database updates have become available for openLCA users:

• LCA Commons 2025.1: The latest release from the Federal LCA Commons includes a new elementary flow system (v130), updated LCIA methods for TRACI 2.2, ReCiPe 2016, IPCC Global Warming Potential, and updated USLCI and USEEIO process repositories
• ecoinvent 3.11: All three system models (Cutoff, APOS, and Consequential) are available as unit processes and system processes. The openLCA implementation includes enhanced sector tagging, price properties for LCC analysis, and links to ecoQuery results
• LCIA Methods Package 2.7.4: Recent method package updates include additional flows for resource and emission characterization

System Requirements

Users should note that updating from versions prior to 2.3.0 requires upgrading from Java 17 to Java 21. The current release supports Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms with detailed installation instructions available on the openLCA website.

Community Resources

openLCA users benefit from several support channels:

• openLCA.conf 2025: Annual user conference for training and networking

• ask.openLCA: Community Q&A platform for technical support

• LCA Collaboration Server: Free server application for team-based modeling

• Trainers Academy: Certification program for LCA instructors

The EPD workflow improvements are timely given regulatory demand for environmental declarations. The ability to efficiently integrate supplier EPD data into product models addresses a practical challenge in construction and manufacturing LCA projects. openLCA is available as a free download from openlca.org. Commercial databases and professional support services are available through Nexus and GreenDelta.