Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Library
Textile Exchange has created an open-source library of the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data. This is pre-existing data that has already been collected, to which companies can apply their relevant parameters/assumptions and reduce the burden of primary data collection which is typically the most time and resource intensive step of an LCA study.
The LCI Library website is a platform for accessing data related to the textile industry. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, Textile Exchange does not endorse or verify the data included in the LCI Library. The LCI Library is solely a repository for this data and does not guarantee its accuracy or reliability. Any usage of the data from the LCI Library is at the user’s own risk. Textile Exchange takes no responsibility for using or applying data from the LCI Library. We strongly recommend that users verify the data with reliable sources before making any decisions based on it. By using the LCI Library, you acknowledge and accept these terms and conditions. Thank you for your understanding.
The LCI Library enables:
Greater efficiency in impact reporting, impact modeling, and creation of new LCA studies across the apparel, textile, and footwear industry. Increased quantity and availability of representative LCA data. It also provides data from existing LCA studies to be accessible to the industry and transparency around the data used in existing LCA studies.
LCI Library
FAQs
What is LCI data?
A Life Cycle Inventory dataset includes all of the inputs (such as resource and energy use) and outputs (such as emissions of pollutants and production losses) associated with the defined life cycle of a product/service.
What is the scope of the data in the LCI Library?
The LCI data in the LCI Library only covers the raw material production and initial processing steps in the supply chain. Before using the data in the library users should familiarize themselves with the specific scope of the data.
Who can use the LCI Library?
While the LCI Library is open source, we recommend that users of the library are trained in LCA methods and fully understand the scope and limitations of the LCAs before using the LCI data.
Where can I find out more information about how to use the LCI Library?
Details of how to use the library are documented in the user guidance.
How can I submit data to the LCI Library?
If you are interested in submitting your LCI data to the LCI Library, please read the submission guidance and email impactdata@textileexchange.org to request the data submission templates.
Why should I submit LCI data to the LCI Library?
By submitting LCI data to the LCI Library you are making it available to the industry to use freely and you are helping to fill existing impact data gaps. You are also helping to increase and improve the transparency around impact data.
Why can't I see the LCI data I was expecting to in the LCI Library?
Where can I find out more about the LCA work that is going on at Textile Exchange?
If you are interested in staying up to date with the LCA work happening at Textile Exchange, please keep an eye out for updates on our website or join our Impact Measurement Community of Practice on the Hub.
How frequently will the LCI Library be updated with new datasets?
The LCI Library will be updated bi-annually with newly submitted LCI data.
Does Textile Exchange review the LCI datasets submitted before including in the library?
The review of LCI data submitted to the LCI Library includes checking that the submission is complete and aligns to the values in the LCA documentation provided alongside the data. Submitters of the data will be notified before their data is added to the library. The review does not include any verification of the data. The hosting of the LCI data in the Textile Exchange LCI Library does not signify any endorsement of the data by Textile Exchange.
How does our LCI Library differ from the other databases?
Databases such as the Higg MSI and Quantis WALDB share Lifecycle Inventory Assessment (LCIA) data, such as global warming potential (GWP) and land use. LCIA data is the output of the lifecycle assessment modelling process. The Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Library only includes the Lifecycle Inventory (LCI) data. LCI data is one of the inputs into the modelling that is used to produce the LCIA data. Examples of LCI data include the amount of energy or water used in the process.
Learn More
Textile Exchange partnered with SCS Global Services to develop the LCI Library.
Inventory data can either be downloaded or submitted to the LCI Library.
Submitting data – if you have inventory data available for a particular fiber/material type, you are encouraged to submit this to the library. You can view the submission guidance by clicking the submit data button.
Extracting data – you can extract LCI data directly from the LCI Library when extracting data users should read the methodology and guidance document by clicking the extract button.
If you have any questions or would like to request submission templates please email impactdata@textileexchange.org