Seco leads the way with Life Cycle Assessments

Alcester-based Seco Tools (UK) Ltd is taking bold steps toward a sustainable future, leveraging life cycle assessments (LCA) to meet ambitious sustainability goals as well as supporting customers in making environmentally conscious decisions. An LCA systematically evaluates the environmental impact of products across their lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. By providing detailed insights into metrics like climate impact (CO₂eq) and other key environmental impacts, Seco is enabling both internal improvements and customer transparency.

Throughout the year, Seco focused on two key pilot areas: turning inserts — an initiative launched in Fagersta, Sweden, which enables the tooling manufacturer to assess the environmental impact of a large portion of its insert portfolio; and round tools — a pilot carried out with a start-up company in Lottum, the Netherlands, Seco has established a scalable LCA process for solid end mills, setting the foundation for future advancements.

These results set the standard for providing information on the environmental impact of tooling on component manufacturing by providing key figures on the impact of purchased tools and connecting these results with cutting data. These initiatives, along with programmes such as ‘reconditioning’ and ‘used carbide recycling’, emphasise Seco’s commitment to driving sustainable solutions for manufacturing.

In 2025, Seco will expand its LCA coverage to include more of its portfolio and enhance My Pages with additional sustainability data. Seco My Pages is a versatile online platform that offers various services, like quick quotations, effortless product searches or tool recommendations. It enhances customer experience by providing a centralised space for easy access to critical information. By utilising LCA as a service in demonstrations and testing, Seco enables partners to conduct feasibility studies and tests with a strong focus on sustainability.