GIANCE project updates
The GIANCE project has worked to organise several events on life cycle assessment over the last few months in addition to a consortium meeting held in Rome.
A productive GIANCE meeting in Rome for the project
In early April, the GIANCE project held a successful three-day meeting at the University of Roma Tor Vergata, providing a unique opportunity to strengthen the collaboration within our consortium. Participants from various international partners gathered to discuss progress, challenges, and future activities.
During the sessions, work package (WP) leaders presented crucial updates on research topics, ranging from sustainable manufacturing and innovations in multifunctional materials to testing, validation, and assessment processes. The event also provided a great opportunity for collaboration, with workshops dedicated to discussing the specific use cases of the project.
There were also moments of informal interaction, such as the group photo and the social dinner organized by CNR, which fostered bonding among all participants.
We remain committed to continuing our work with the same energy and dedication to tackle future challenges and make the GIANCE project a success for all.
GIANCE LCA Workshop at Graphene Week 2025, organised by Fraunhofer ICT
During the Graphene Week 2025, taking place in Vicenza from 22-26 September, GIANCE will participate in a dedicated LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) workshop organized by Fraunhofer ICT.
The workshop aims to foster discussion around the development of a common guideline for the environmental assessment of graphene, as well as the creation of a shared LCA database for graphene-based materials.
This will be a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to align on methodologies and criteria for environmental evaluation, promoting a more sustainable and responsible approach to the use of graphene.
If you're interested in joining or learning more, please get in touch with:
ana.salles@ict.fraunhofer.de
GIANCE Performance of the screening LCA & LCC assessment of 11 GIANCE use cases
Screening LCA & LCC assessment was conducted to compare the environmental and economic impact of the new graphene-based materials with current technologies and materials used in key application areas. The evaluation also identified critical improvements required for the further development of these innovative materials. The environmental impact hotspots identified were: Ecotoxicity (Freshwater organics); Climate change (Fossil emissions); Resource use (Fossil fuels); and Water use, driven by the high energy and water demands of graphene production and the chemical reduction processes used in wastewater treatment. The economic impact hotspots identified were: Material and energy costs, Changes in product lifespan, Operational expenditures (OPEX), Potential increases in costly waste streams. Preliminary results show that graphene production— based on low Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and literature data — offer a reduced environmental footprint compared to current reference materials. Economically, graphene-related materials (GRMs) demonstrate potential for lowering costs through reduction of the use of expensive materials such as carbon fiber (CF) and adoption of more cost-efficient manufacturing processes. These insights will help guide further development towards more sustainable and economically viable graphene solutions.
Author bio
Graphene Flagship
Bringing together 126 academic and industrial partners in 13 research and innovation projects and 1 coordination and support project, the Graphene Flagship initiative will continue to advance Europe’s strategic autonomy in technologies that rely on graphene and other 2D materials. The initiative, which builds on the previous 10-years of the Graphene Flagship, is funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.