---
url: https://www.eurocovers.eu/glossary/lca
term: LCA (lifecycle assessment)
definition: A structured analysis of environmental impacts associated with a product or system across its full lifecycle: raw materials, manufacturing, use phase, and end-of-life.
updated: 2026-05-25
---

# LCA (lifecycle assessment)

A structured analysis of environmental impacts associated with a product or system across its full lifecycle: raw materials, manufacturing, use phase, and end-of-life.

**LCA** (lifecycle assessment) is a structured analysis of environmental impacts associated with a
product or system across its full lifecycle. For floating covers, LCA balances embodied carbon
(HDPE manufacturing), use-phase savings (avoided abstraction, avoided chemical treatment, avoided
heating energy), and end-of-life recovery (HDPE recyclability). A 25-year hexagonal cover
deployment typically delivers a strongly favourable LCA against the do-nothing baseline,
especially in water-stressed regions.