A database of powder metallurgy (PM) process diagrams was built and used to perform detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of 38 PM processes representing the all value chain (including ore extraction, powder production, parts manufacturing). This study is probably the largest one performed in Europe, or even in the World, on that industry.

Process Environmental Profiles (PEP) documents were built to communicate on the LCA results of several processes in a R&D context. This type of document can be used in any kind of R&D context by technical teams, to identify clearly where are the environmental hotspots of processes (process step, type of material used, energy flows, emissions, etc…). Among the different use-cases studied, CEA showed that real impacts reduction can be obtained on CO2 emissions and energy consumption for medical application. Pontentials for other applications were raised (aeronautics, automotive, cutting tools and moulding tools). Moreover, a simplified environmental evaluation tool for LPBF and MIM processes was developed for technical teams and can be enriched for the evaluation of any kind of PM processes with further developments. This tool can be used for ecodesigning LPBF and MIM parts.