A major field of research of ITC-ZTS covers the generation and evaluation of basic information for the analysis and assessment of anthropogenic materials flows. Data on materials and energy flows entering and leaving technical process chains (“life cycle inventory (LCI) data according to ISO 14040 ff.) are a major part thereof. Due to the complexity of economic production and consumption processes, analysis of product life cycles, i.e. process chains from production, use, and disposal, affects a number of technologies and branches on the regional, national, or global scale. Supply of high-quality life cycle inventory data therefore requires expert knowledge from numerous sectors.

Increasing use of these data for decision support, e.g. in product development or for the new ecolabel type III, also requires a tailored scientific methodology for their supply and use so as to ensure specificity of decisions. This complexity of the problem requires an integrated scientific approach with the supply and use of life cycle inventory data and cooperation in expert networks.

Since 2002, ITC-ZTS has been active in the setup of a scientific infrastructure for the field of life cycle inventory data. In 2002, a BMBF-funded preliminary study on “Quality assurance and user-oriented supply of life cycle inventory data” was carried out with more than 30 actors from science, industry, and administration participating. The results were presented at a workshop on 18/19 November 2002 (the documentation may be obtained as scientific report FZKA 6789).

Since early 2003, the Office of the German Network on Life Cycle Inventory Data has been established at ITC-ZTS. The Network comprises an information and coordination platform for all groups involved in the supply and use of life cycle inventory data, the development of a research association, and the setup of a pool of life cycle inventory data.