Methodological framework for life cycle assessment (LCA)
Application of the life cycle inventory in the steel industry

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool for evaluating the environmental impact of a system comprising all the activities associated with a product or service, from the extraction of raw materials to the disposal of waste . LCA consists of four phases:

• definition of study objectives and scope ;

• inventory (material balances – energy) ;

• impact assessment ;

• interpretation of results....