Lifecycle Thinking for Next-Generation Chemical Engineering.

This article explores the concept of lifecycle thinking and its application in chemical engineering. Lifecycle thinking, supported by lifecycle assessment (LCA), offers a comprehensive framework for evaluating the potential impacts of products or processes throughout their lifecycle. The article emphasizes the importance of LCA in guiding future developments in chemical engineering and provides best practices for its use in different sectors. It also discusses the relationship between LCA and emissions reporting, as well as the emerging field of social lifecycle assessment (S-LCA) for quantifying social impacts. Overall, the article highlights the role of LCA in transitioning to a circular and net-zero-emissions economy. [Extracted from the article]