HiQLCD Steel Data Pack
Sector data spanning ores, metallurgical auxiliaries, steel products and processing technologies
Insights
HiQLCD Photovoltaic Data Pack
Technology and specification data from silicon materials to modules
HiQLCD Energy Data Pack
Chinese energy-technology data for energy-use and energy-supply assessment
HiQLCD Waste Treatment Data Pack
Connecting waste-treatment processes with resource-recovery pathways
HiQ Aluminium Industry Data Pack
Data for aluminium grades, processing routes and recycled-feedstock scenarios
China Li-ion Battery Carbon Footprint Database v1.2.0
CLBD v1.2.0 adds 82 datasets for cells, battery materials, auxiliary materials and components.
China Li-ion Battery Carbon Footprint Database v1.1.0
CLBD v1.1.0 includes 519 LCI datasets covering 180 products across the lithium battery value chain.
HiQLCD v1.5.0
New and optimized datasets across chemicals, metals, electrical equipment, transport, water and waste treatment, with updates to selected LCIA methods.
How HiQLCD Approaches Data Quality and LCA Modelling
Understand the sources, quality criteria and modelling principles behind HiQLCD - and what to check when selecting background data for Chinese supply chains.
ecoinvent v3.13 Officially Released
On 4 November 2026, ecoinvent officially released version 3.13, further expanding the industry coverage and geographical representation of its database. Besides the newly added pharmaceutical sector, this release also updates datasets for chemicals and plastics, fuels, metals, electricity, textiles, agriculture, pulp and paper, waste management and recycling, construction, batteries and other sectors. Adjustments have also been made to Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methodologies.
HiQLCD Database Passes Systematic Joint Expert Review
At the recently concluded Second Annual Academic Conference on LCA Applications in Industry, Research Professor Jianxin Yang of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (RCEES, CAS), presented the results of the review of the HiQLCD database. HiQLCD has become the first database to pass this systematic joint expert review.
From China-based Practice to Global Deployment: HiQLCD Deepens Cooperation with ecoinvent
Recently, Zhou Jing, Chairman of E-C Digital, was invited to Zurich, Switzerland, for scheduled consultations with the Chair of the ecoinvent Board and its core management team. This round of dialogue focuses on three interconnected priorities: integrating Chinese datasets into global workflows, enabling users to apply ecoinvent with higher precision, and safeguarding the database under compliant frameworks.
China Lithium Battery Carbon Footprint Database v1.1.0 Officially Launched
Battery Passport regulations mandate embedded carbon footprint disclosures covering full industrial supply chains. The newly updated lithium battery database separates geographic origin and manufacturing process for independent modeling, with native compatibility for mainstream LCA software. This article breaks down its key advantages over generic industry average datasets.
HiQLCD Named an OpenAI Select Partner
23 July — HiQLCD, a sustainability data and AI company that builds digital experts for life-cycle assessment and product carbon compliance, today announced that it has been named an OpenAI Select Partner within the OpenAI Partner Network.
122 Universities Are Using China’s Native LCA Database — Is Yours on the List?
As of July this year, faculty, graduate students and research teams across 122 universities rely on this China-native LCA dataset library. It is widely adopted across materials, chemical engineering, energy, mechanical engineering, steel, non-ferrous metals and nearly all disciplines focused on carbon footprint accounting, eco-design and low-carbon sustainability research. Scroll down to check the full list of participating institutions and find peers working in your research field.
Three Key Shifts Shaping the Future of Global LCA: Insights from LCIC 2026 on Tools, Data and Policy
Held in Berlin, Germany from July 1 to 3, the 5th Life Cycle Innovation Conference (LCIC 2026) ran under the core theme Collaborate, Innovate, Co-Create. Three transformative trends emerged: faster AI-powered analytical tools, stricter global data governance, and expanding scope for life cycle impact assessments. All three trends converge around one foundational priority: high-quality life cycle inventory data.
Why are More People Choosing to Pair an Agent with ecoinvent Data?
More and more teams are moving beyond simply "purchasing a database" and starting to ask: How can we actually make this database work for our projects? This isn't really an ecoinvent-specific issue—it's a challenge that virtually all traditional databases face.
Joint Research by Tsinghua University & HiQLCD: AI Serves as Quality Inspector for Carbon Footprint
Recently, research teams led by Professor Hu Shanying and Associate Professor Wang Xiaonan from the Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, in collaboration with the HiQLCD team, published an AI-for-LCA research breakthrough titled Cross-sector deep learning scales life cycle assessment using unified textual descriptions in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology. The study proposes a deep learning framework named LCA-TextNet.
A Foreign Manufacturer Turning to China’s Steel LCI Data for EPD Compliance & Green Market Access
A Malaysian steel pipe producer voluntarily chose regionally representative Chinese supply chain data to satisfy strict international compliance standards.
National Key Industrial Product Carbon Footprint Database Officially Launched
On June 17, China’s National Low-Carbon Day, under the top-level design and coordinated advancement of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the National Key Industrial Product Carbon Footprint Database was officially launched. Zhou Jing, Chairman of E-Carbon Digital Technology, attended the launch ceremony.
From Databases to AI: Key Industry Trends for LCA Unveiled by HiQLCD at Carbon Neutrality Expo
On the opening day of the 2026 Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo, HiQLCD rolled out a series of landmark launches centered on AI, LCA databases and cross-industry collaboration: the official release of HiQ Cortex, a vertical AI agent dedicated to LCA workflows; the launch of HiQLCD v1.5.0; a roundtable forum on building CLCDN; and strategic cooperation signings for global and sector-specific LCA databases. These milestones reflect four pivotal shifts reshaping the LCA industry.
HiQLCD & ecoinvent Now Offer Pay-Per-Record Data Licensing
HiQLCD has rolled out a core platform upgrade. Users can now purchase individual records of high-quality China-specific LCA datasets and global ecoinvent data on a pay-per-record basis.
Launch of CALCD 3.0: Empowering Chinese Manufacturing to Go Global with China’s Own Data
On May 26, 2026, at the Conference on Digital Technology-Enabled Carbon Governance and Carbon Technology Ecosystem Partnership held in Tianjin, China Automotive Life Cycle Database (CALCD) 3.0 was officially launched.
Beyond ecoinvent: What LCA Databases Are Available on HiQLCD?
In recent years, HiQLCD has integrated mainstream domestic and international databases and standardized interoperability at the technical level. To date, the platform covers three categories: general-purpose databases, China industry-specific databases, and global sectoral databases, with a total of over 200,000 LCA datasets.
Official Announcement: ecoinvent and HiQLCD Reach Exclusive Partnership in China
Recently, HiQLCD, a subsidiary of E-Carbon Digital Technology, completed an upgraded partnership with the global life cycle database ecoinvent. Johnson Gui, Senior Vice President of E-Carbon Digital Technology and CEO of HiQLCD, visited the ecoinvent headquarters in Switzerland. The two parties reached an exclusive cooperation arrangement on China LCA database private cloud services and further clarified the authorization, distribution, service, and localized application mechanisms of the ecoinv
Why are International LCA Experts Starting to Actively Use China Data?
One year ago, they asked, “Who are you?” One year later, they ask, “How can we use it in projects?” The international LCA community’s attitude toward China databases has shifted in substance from “being reviewed” to “being relied on.” This Europe visit revealed earlier than expected a signal that otherwise might have taken much longer to emerge.
From UNEP to Brightway: Where Does China’s LCA Carbon Data Stand Globally?
HiQLCD welcomed three representatives from across the international LCA community: UNEP Life Cycle Initiative Secretariat Head Llorenç Milà i Canals, Associate Professor Alessandro Manzardo from the University of Padua, and the Swiss non-profit DdS, the team behind the open-source LCA framework Brightway. These three conversations converged on a single question: where does Chinese carbon data stand within the global LCA landscape?
China LCA database passes full review by international independent experts
Completed over six months with multiple iterations, independently led by Prof. Guido Sonnemann, former head of the UNEP Life Cycle Initiative. The review covered general methodology, three core sector reports, the editor platform, and representative datasets.
Integrating ecoinvent: how China and global carbon footprint databases complement each other
ecoinvent recently published a featured interview with HiQLCD on its official website. In this dialogue, ecoinvent Business Lead Ondrej Szabo and HiQLCD CEO Johnson Gui focused on a core topic: as carbon footprint accounting across global supply chains becomes increasingly essential, how China data and international data can achieve true complementarity and coordination.
HiQLCD supported a Nature subjournal publication: LCA clarifies “greener” in catalysis innovation
Recently, a joint research team from Xiamen University (Prof. Wang Ye and Prof. Cheng Kang), Tsinghua University (Assoc. Prof. Wang Xiaonan), and the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Senior Engineer Sun Fanfei) published a paper in *Nature Communications* titled “Atomically dispersed Pd-Mn dual-metal doped CeO₂ nanorods for efficient methane oxychlorination.” Zhao Kai, a 2022 PhD student at Tsinghua University and former HiQLCD intern, is co-first author.
What Kind of Data Qualifies as Compliant with the ILCD System?
Recently, we have frequently received questions such as: "What exactly is ILCD? Is it simply a different file format? Why do databases constantly emphasise the need to be 'ILCD-compliant'?"
Why Higher Inventory Coverage and Comprehensive Result Information Matter in LCA
In life cycle assessment (LCA), the completeness of inventory coverage and the richness of result information are critical factors that directly influence the accuracy and reliability of evaluation outcomes. This is particularly true for industries with long, complex supply chains — such as the steel sector.
Why temporal and geographic representation are important in LCA data
📌 This is Part 2 of Our Series on Why Choosing a Professional LCA Database Matters. In this post, we’re looking at temporal and geographic representativeness—two often-overlooked dimensions that can make or break the accuracy of your LCA results.
Why Choosing a High-quality LCA Database Matters
Welcome to the First Post in Our Series on the Importance of Choosing the Right LCA Database.In this series, we’ll dive into why selecting a professional LCA database is crucial for obtaining reliable and actionable insights. Over the next few posts, we will explore three key aspects: methodology, representativeness, and result accuracy—helping you make informed decisions for your sustainability initiatives.
Exploring Synergies: HiQLCD & Carbon Minds in Dialogue for Sustainable LCA Data Development
We are pleased to share highlights from a recent strategic exchange between HiQLCD and Carbon Minds, centered on advancing high-quality, localized lifecycle assessment (LCA) data and exploring opportunities for collaborative growth in both Chinese and global markets.
HiQLCD and Tsinghua’s TianGongLCA Team Showcase China’s LCA Data Progress at openLCA.conf 2025
At openLCA.conf 2025 in Berlin, HiQLCD and Tsinghua’s TianGongLCA team presented China’s latest advances in LCA data transparency, standardization, and global interoperability.
🎥 Carbon Focus | 2-Minute Expert Insights
In the latest episode of Carbon Focus 🌍, a Sustainability Expert from the Green Product Evaluation Center of the China Non-Ferrous Metals Industry Association discusses the progress and challenges of China’s low-carbon transition in the aluminum industry. She highlights that while green processes and the use of green power ⚡ are on the rise, existing databases still lack the precision to reflect local processes, energy structures, and regional differences. Accurate data will enhance carbon footp
HiQLCD Invited to Participate in the Chinese Society for Industrial Ecology Conference
At the Chinese Society for Industrial Ecology, Gui Zhijun showcased the HiQLCD (High-Quality Life Cycle Database), a game-changer in lifecycle assessment (LCA). HiQLCD delivers high-quality, China’s data that fuels cutting-edge research and actionable strategies for decarbonization.
A Milestone for Sustainable Aluminum!
We’re proud to share that the standard 《Greenhouse Gas—Quantification Requirement and Method of Product Carbon Footprint—Electrolytic Aluminium》, developed with the contribution of our team, has been awarded the 2024 National Nonferrous Metals Technical Standard Excellence Award (Second Prize)!
Celebrate the Chinese Lantern Festival
This Lantern Festival, our team came together to enjoy the warmth and unity of the season with tangyuan —a symbol of togetherness. As a company that values collaboration and sustainability, we believe in nurturing both strong partnerships and responsible growth to create long-lasting impact.
Standard Release
We are excited to announce the official release of three pivotal Group Standards in the rare earth industry: 1️⃣ Environmental product declaration—Product category rules—Sintered neodymium iron boron permanent magnets 2️⃣ Environmental product declaration—Product category rules—Rare earth based hydrogen storage alloy 3️⃣ Environmental product declaration—Product category rules—Rare earth hydrometallurgical separation products
🎥 Carbon Focus | 2-Minute Expert Insights
Welcome to Carbon Focus, where we bring in industry experts to share their unique insights and practical experiences! In today’s video, our expert discusses why a localized LCA database is so important for China’s steel industry .
One chart to understand steel industry data
As a global leader in steel production and consumption, China’s steel manufacturing processes are influenced by significant regional and technological differences. 🌍⚙️ As shown in the chart below, factors such as different raw material selections and compositions (e.g., ore grade or scrap steel ratio) and energy mix (e.g., coal, natural gas, electricity) vary across regions, directly impacting carbon emissions levels. 📊🔋
📹Carbon Focus | 2-Minute Expert Insights
In this episode, we explore the urgent data needs within the non-ferrous metals industries. What are the key missing data points crucial for accurate carbon footprint calculations? We uncover how addressing these gaps can empower industries to make better sustainability decisions. 🌱
📹Carbon Focus | 2-Minute Expert Insights
In this episode, we explore the steel industry’s unique production processes and the critical data gaps that are preventing accurate carbon footprint calculations. From iron ore mining to coke usage, these upstream processes are key drivers of emissions. Establishing basic energy and raw material databases is crucial for more accurate carbon accounting. 🌱
One chart to understand photovoltaic industry data
Did you know that the carbon footprint of 1 kWh of solar electricity isn’t actually zero? That’s because we must consider the emissions from photovoltaic (PV) production.
OpenLCA International Webinar
We are thrilled to announce our participation in the upcoming openLCA webinar, where we will present the HiQLCD Database, a groundbreaking Chinese LCI database aimed at improving the accessibility of LCA datasets for China.
𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 & 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭
We’re excited to share highlights from the Real Estate & Decarbonization Summit hosted by Hang Lung Properties at the Yale Center Beijing. The event brought together over 100 experts and thought leaders to discuss innovative solutions for decarbonizing the real estate sector.
