Essen, Germany. Evonik has set a new benchmark for sustainability assessments in the chemical industry. With a TÜV-certified software solution, Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) can now be generated and updated automatically-quickly, consistently, and reliably. Evonik is leading the way for chemical companies to digitize this complex process to such a depth.
The solution enables the calculation of all relevant environmental impacts of Evonik’s products-from carbon footprint and water usage to nutrient discharges into water bodies. “Our customers don’t just want to know how sustainable a product is today-they want to see how it can improve tomorrow. That’s exactly what we deliver with our new solution,” says Florian Böss, Head of Life Cycle Management at Evonik.
Automated calculations are about ten times faster than the previous manual method. Instead of taking weeks, an LCA can now be provided within just a few days. Automated LCAs are already available for more than 1,000 products, with numbers rising rapidly. By 2027, the system will be in use across all business lines.
The solution is scalable and flexible: all environmental indicators can be evaluated at the push of a button. The necessary data is sourced from central company databases or external providers. Technically, the system is based on software from Sphera Solutions, a leading provider of sustainability and operational risk management software. “The chemical industry sits at the heart of a range of value chains, with progress on sustainability in the sector especially critical,” says Naved Siddique, Chief Product Officer at Sphera. “The partnership between Sphera and Evonik demonstrates how scalable, flexible digital solutions can enhance transparency at every stage of the value chain.”
The partnership between Evonik and Sphera began last year. In July 2025, TÜV Rheinland confirmed the functionality and accuracy of the automated process. The certification is based on a well-established manual process that has now been digitized. “This builds trust and proves the reliability of our environmental impact data,” Böss adds.
The automated LCAs are not only used for customer communication but also for steering internal sustainability efforts. They support informed decisions on raw material and energy use and help evaluate CO₂ reduction measures from an economic perspective. As part of its sustainability strategy, Evonik has committed to reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 25% by 2030.
By automating the creation of LCAs, Evonik is sending a clear signal of progress and responsibility-setting a technological standard that could resonate far beyond the company itself.