Understanding the entire value chain

Unlike isolated indicators such as carbon footprint, an LCA allows the environmental impact of a product to be analysed across its entire value chain — from the origin of raw materials through to production, transport, and distribution stages.

For B2E CoLAB, this methodology is becoming increasingly strategic. “We are witnessing a clear shift in the market. Companies are no longer just looking to communicate environmental commitments. They want to understand, based on evidence, where the main impacts of their products lie and where they should act first,” explains Taynara Franco, LCA technician at B2E CoLAB.

According to her, the true value of an LCA goes beyond the numerical results: “A good LCA helps transform technical data into business decisions. It enables companies to review raw materials, suppliers, formulations, and even investment priorities.”

The Soja de Portugal case

Soja de Portugal has been working on sustainability for several years, including corporate reports and earlier carbon footprint measurement initiatives.

Market demands, particularly around greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of certain feed products, reinforced the opportunity of the moment.

The next step was therefore to deepen and consolidate the work already done. “We felt the need to apply methodologies in a more consolidated, systematic way, aligned with current guidelines. It was in that context that we moved forward with B2E CoLAB on an LCA,” the company explains.

The biggest challenge lies in the data

One of the most common lessons B2E CoLAB encounters in industrial settings is that data exists, but is rarely prepared to meet the level of detail this type of methodology demands.

That is exactly what happened in this project. “The biggest challenge was, without doubt, obtaining the information needed to build the inventory,” notes Soja de Portugal, adding: “The most critical point was identifying the origin of raw materials, as that information was not systematised in our management software.”

For B2E CoLAB, this reality is common across many companies. “Many organisations believe the challenge of an LCA lies in the calculations. In practice, the biggest challenge is almost always the structure of internal data and the ability to connect technical, operational, and sourcing information,” warns Taynara Franco.

The value is in the detail

Although the quantitative results of this study remain confidential at this stage, the process enabled the identification of relevant insights. The analysis confirmed that the raw materials phase represents the most significant portion of the assessed product’s environmental impact. “This result allowed us to identify this phase as a priority for future improvement actions, particularly in terms of supplier selection, ingredient origin, and formulation optimisation,” notes Soja de Portugal.

The LCA also revealed that the environmental performance of a raw material can vary significantly depending on its origin, processing methods, and associated logistics. This type of analysis enables a better understanding of the factors that most influence environmental impact across the value chain and supports future decisions based on concrete data.

For B2E CoLAB, this is precisely where the methodology’s value lies. “An LCA is not only useful for choosing between categories of ingredients. It shows, within each choice, where origin and processes make a difference — and therefore where optimisation is possible,” states Taynara Franco.

More than a study: a foundation for future decisions

For Soja de Portugal, the main gain from this work goes beyond environmental measurement. “The experience of working with B2E CoLAB was very positive. We highlight the quality of the service provided, as well as the high level of detail and technical rigour.” The company adds: “The close support from the team was a key asset in delivering a rigorous and precise study.”

The process also left the company better prepared: among the key opportunities identified is the improvement of internal data collection and management — a capability that can now serve any future analysis.

For B2E CoLAB, this is precisely the goal. According to Taynara Franco, “beyond delivering results, we want to help companies build internal capacity to interpret data, make more robust decisions, and prepare for a market where sustainability will increasingly be synonymous with evidence.”

In a context where sustainability is beginning to influence purchasing decisions, product development, and international competitiveness, measuring is no longer just a technical matter. It is becoming a strategic decision.