At Pickler, we rely on one consistent LCI database across the entire platform. This ensures that results remain comparable, transparent, and free from cherry-picking, which is essential for benchmarking and required under upcoming EU legislation.
After evaluating the needs of our users, the quality of available data, and the requirements for reliable product-level decisions, we chose Idemat as our default LCI database.
Below is a concise and balanced explanation of why.
1. Idemat Better Reflects Today’s Industrial Reality
A key difference between Idemat and Ecoinvent is the age and nature of underlying datasets.
Ecoinvent is extremely comprehensive, but many of its datasets—especially for plastics, energy, and transport—are based on older studies, statistical averages, or conservative assumptions.
Idemat updates more frequently and integrates newer publications, especially for sectors that matter in packaging (e.g., plastics, electricity, and logistics).
This results in Idemat values that better reflect actual, current practice, whereas Ecoinvent tends to produce higher, more conservative footprints.
2. More Realistic Data for Plastics, Energy, and Transport
These three areas dominate packaging LCAs and explain most differences between the databases.
Plastics
Idemat incorporates more recent PlasticsEurope updates.
Ecoinvent integrates them more slowly, which can lead to higher footprints.
Electricity
Idemat reflects recent improvements in grid carbon intensity.
Ecoinvent often lags behind, leading to overestimation.
Transport
Idemat uses measured fuel consumption of modern Euro 6 trucks and realistic load assumptions.
Ecoinvent relies on older statistical models and national averages.
This makes Idemat more suitable for supply-chain calculations, while Ecoinvent is better for policy-level modelling.
3. Methodological Differences That Influence Results
A few structural modelling choices also explain the gap:
Ecoinvent includes infrastructure (adds ~2–4%).
Idemat applies a 1–2% cut-off for very small flows.
Ecoinvent uses broader uncertainty and “safe-side” defaults.
Idemat models heat recovery in line with ISO rules for product-level LCAs.
None of these are “right or wrong”—they simply influence results in different directions.
4. Why Idemat Fits Pickler’s Use Case Best
Pickler focuses on product-level decisions, not national policy modelling. Users need:
up-to-date, science-based data
realistic values for plastics, energy, and transport
clear benchmarking across materials
transparency for CSRD, PPWR, and the Green Claims Directive
fast and understandable impact calculations
For these goals, Idemat provides the most relevant and practical data foundation.
Ecoinvent remains highly credible—especially in academic and policy contexts—but its modelling philosophy and update cycle can lead to inflated or outdated footprints for real-world product comparisons.
Conclusion
Both databases are respected. Both follow scientific LCA principles.
But for a modern, product-focused tool like Pickler—where decisions depend on realistic, current, and comparable data—Idemat is the strongest fit.
It allows us to deliver:
faster updates
more realistic footprints
greater clarity to customers
consistent benchmarking across all materials
compliance-ready results for upcoming EU regulation
This is why Pickler standardises on Idemat.