Driving Sustainability Through Life Cycle Analysis and Eco-Design at Lesjöfors
Life Cycle Analysis and Eco-Design lead the way to reduce environmental impact
As part of its commitment to sustainable innovation, Lesjöfors has launched a strategic initiative aimed at reducing environmental impact across its operations. Central to this effort is the integration of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and eco-design principles, which are becoming increasingly vital in the development of environmentally responsible products.
Understanding Life Cycle Analysis: A Holistic Approach to Sustainability In today’s fast-evolving sustainability landscape, companies are seeking effective ways to minimize their ecological footprint. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a powerful tool that evaluates a product’s environmental impact across its entire life span—from raw material extraction and manufacturing to usage and end-of-life disposal. By identifying environmental “hotspots,” LCA provides actionable insights based on internationally recognized standards.
The Carbon Footprint Project: Mapping Impact Across the Group
To lead the way in environmental accountability, Lesjöfors launched the Carbon Footprint Project in 2023. This initiative includes three key components:
- Two pilot LCA studies: One on a stamped product from Lesjöfors Banddetaljer in Värnamo, and another on a compression spring from Lesjöfors Industrifjädrar in Herrljunga.
- Development of a carbon footprint calculation model to streamline future assessments.
- Creation of a methodology for integrating carbon data into R&D processes.
The pilot LCAs have been completed with support from sustainability consultancy Miljögiraff and Anton Lindh, a student from Linköping University specializing in environmental analysis.
Marcus Hartvigsson, Managing Director of Lesjöfors Banddetaljer, shared insights from the project:
“The process was extensive and lasted several months. We gathered data on everything from material sourcing and packaging to energy use and transportation. Interestingly, while material extraction had the largest impact, surface treatment processes also showed a surprisingly high environmental footprint.”
Next Steps: Expanding Analysis and Building Scalable Models
Further LCA studies are planned, with a German subsidiary next in line. The goal is to develop a scalable calculation model that allows teams to estimate environmental impact without conducting full LCAs for every product. This will help pinpoint the most impactful stages in the product life cycle and guide targeted sustainability efforts.
“With a robust calculation model, we can identify where the greatest environmental improvements can be made and focus our resources accordingly,” says Anna Haesert, Sustainability Manager for the Lesjöfors Group.
Eco-Design: Embedding Sustainability into Product Development
While LCA helps map environmental impact, eco-design takes it a step further by embedding sustainability into the product development process. The aim is to reduce negative environmental effects throughout the product’s life cycle—from design to disposal.
“LCA gives us valuable data that we can use during product development,” explains Haesert. “By identifying areas for improvement early on, we can guide customers toward more sustainable choices. We believe eco-design will become a key part of our offering.”
Through initiatives like the Carbon Footprint Project and the adoption of eco-design, Lesjöfors is not only reducing its environmental impact but also helping customers make more informed, sustainable decisions. It’s a forward-thinking approach that aligns innovation with responsibility—one spring at a time.
