LCA-based material selection in the early stages of design: environmental benefits, tools, obstacles and opportunities

Today we know that material selection plays an essential role in environmental product performances. In fact, among the main Life Cycle Design strategies to reduce product environmental impacts, many have a direct influence on the material selection practice. However, the choice and comparison between different materials is not a trivial operation for designers: on one side they seem to lack appropriate expertise, on the other access proper data about the materials’ environmental performances or LCA is not always an easy task. The paper focuses on the literature review aimed at identifying the main tools for material selection based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the early stages of design, showing their potential, pointing out environmental benefits and further opportunities, but also obstacles in their integration into the design practice.