Page 6 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

vi Preface

read and evaluate life cycle assessment information about the alternatives that they
are considering, and the environmental sustainability specialists among them should
also be able to perform the LCA studies.

Why this Book?

It is the purpose of this book to offer the reader the theory and practice of LCA in
one volume comprising:
• A textbook, explaining the LCA methodology and the theory behind it in a
pedagogical way with a meaningful balance between depth and accessibility
• A cookbook offering recipes with concrete actions needed to perform an LCA
• A repository of information about experience with the use and adaptation of
LCA and LCA-based approaches within policy-making, decision support and
life cycle engineering and management, and a collection of chapters presenting
results and methodological challenges from the use of LCA in some of the
central technological application areas of LCA
Focus is on environmental impacts but life cycle sustainability assessment is
considered through introductory chapters on social LCA and on life cycle costing.

Who is the Target Audience?

The book was written to support the LCA learning of

• University students, from undergraduate to Ph.D. level
• Researchers and (university) teachers
• Professionals looking to get started on LCA and quantitative (environmental)
sustainability assessment
• LCA practitioners looking to deepen their knowledge of specific aspects of LCA
methodology (e.g. uncertainty management) and LCA practice in specific areas
(e.g. electro-mobility, buildings, biomaterials, etc.) and looking for relevant
literature for further reading.
The structure of the book with separate and comprehensive parts on LCA
methodology (theory), LCA cookbook (own practice) and LCA applications
(practice of others) allows it to cater to the needs of this rather broad group of
potential users.