Guest Column: Life cycle analysis as an invaluable tool
This is a special feature from the March 2025 Special Meals/Pre-WTCE digital issue of PAX International, on page 32.
The product life cycle
Developing innovative and exciting products for inflight is always an exciting challenge! There are so many fundamental criteria to consider—functionality, weight, stowage, aesthetics. As we all move at seemingly breakneck speed toward 2050 and Net Zero targets, understanding the environmental impact of the end-to-end supply chain every product onboard is becoming more and more of a focus.
Airline inflight teams need to be able to rely on their suppliers to advise on the latest innovations in manufacturing, more sustainable techniques and general industry best practice in the various product categories. While material selection is an obvious and usually straightforward substitution, what happens in production, and ultimately at disposal, must also influence the selection.
Alison Wells, CEO, Plane Talking Products
At PTP, we have recently invested in software which helps us better understand the environmental impact of every step in the manufacture and supply of our products. It is a big ask because our products range from premium ceramics to luxury textiles; from amenities to soup flasks and everything in between. Understanding what goes into the manufacture of each item, the implications of the location, transportation and the disposal all contribute to building the full picture of the product life cycle.
Life cycle analysis (LCA) stands out as an invaluable tool that, despite its complexity, offers unparalleled insights and strategic advantages to help us achieve this.
At its core, life cycle analysis assesses the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. This intricate process involves analyzing multiple factors such as energy consumption, resource usage and emissions, providing a comprehensive view of a product’s environmental footprint. While the complexity of LCA may seem daunting, it is precisely this depth of analysis that reveals critical information that can drive significant improvements in sustainability practices.
Stages of LCA
Life cycle analysis is structured into four main stages.
Goal and Scope Definition: This initial stage involves clearly stating the purpose of the analysis. Whether it is to improve product sustainability, comply with regulations, or communicate environmental performance to stakeholders.
Inventory Analysis: The collection of data on the inputs and outputs associated with the product. This includes numerous factors such as raw materials used, energy consumed, emissions released and waste generated.
Impact Assessment: This is where raw data transforms into meaningful sustainability metrics. We assess environmental impacts across multiple categories such as: carbon dioxide emissions equivalents for climate change, water usage or land use for biodiversity effects.
Interpretation: Finally, the interpretation phase brings clarity to the numbers, helping us and our customers make informed decisions. Showing off the entire life cycle and its emissions. Transparency is key.
PTP has invested in software that helps it better understand the environmental impact of its products, from premium ceramics to luxury textiles
Airline customer application
At PTP we are using the information that we are gathering to drive data-based decision making. By supporting the case for sustainable changes to materials, manufacturing methods and end of life disposal with verifiable data, we can advise our customers on the environmental impacts of the products and where to focus attention to achieve the best results. For example, one of our recent projects demonstrated a reduction in water usage by more than 90 percent and decreased CO2 by more than 50 percent with a simple material change.
In summary, at PTP we are finding that life cycle analysis is an indispensable tool which supports our sustainability efforts. By adopting a holistic view of our products from raw materials to disposal, we have gained critical insights which in turn drives our product design and development. With this information we can innovate more sustainably and offer advice and recommendations to airline customers who are looking for ways to decarbonize.
