In this article, you'll learn how to efficiently and effectively model your first cradle-to-gate products in Ecochain Helix. Helix uses a multi-level setup that may seem complex at first. However, if you follow the two key workflows (i.e., the material journey and the process journey) you can build scalable, accurate product models. We’ll walk you through both journeys step by step by answering the following questions:
Why follow the material and process journey structure?
How to create a cradle-to-gate model in Helix?
Feel like you're missing information? This article connects to the following articles; check them out if you want to learn more:
Why follow the material and process journey structure?
Helix organizes your data across three levels:
Company-level
Process-level
Product-level
Each level contains pages that link together to build a complete picture of your environmental footprint. This structure allows Helix to calculate product-level LCA results across your entire site automatically. However, following the levels is not the most efficient way to model your products; for that, we advise following the material and process journey described below. This is how our environmental specialists work with Helix!
How to create a cradle-to-gate model in Helix?
Step 1: Set your calculation settings.
Before modeling, ensure your account is set to the correct calculation settings.
Click the settings icon in the main menu (next to your account name).
Adjust settings as needed for your company’s goals and reporting requirements.
Pro tip - Account settings: Not sure which settings to choose? Read the following article to learn how to set your account settings in Helix. If you’re still having trouble, talk to your environmental specialist or reach out to our support team.
Step 2: Start the material journey.
The material journey connects your products to their raw materials and upstream impacts. You can also think of it as material and product data entry.
2.1 Add your products.
To add your products, go to the Product page, under ‘Input > Product > Products’.
Add your products manually or import them (Figure 1). Learn more here.
Figure 1: The products page in Helix.
2.2 Enter production amounts.
To enter production amounts for your products, go to the Production page (‘Input > Product > Production’).
Enter the annual production quantity for each product (Figure 2).
Figure 2: The production page in Helix.
Note - Product & production import: If you imported your products, the production amounts will already be filled out!
2.3 Add the bill of materials.
To add the Bill of Materials for your products, go to the Compositions page (‘Input > Product > Compositions’).
You can either add the Bill of Materials manually or import it (Figure 3). Read more here.
Figure 2: The compositions page in Helix.
2.4 Add impact to your materials.
Next, add impact to your materials. Go to the purchasing page by clicking a material name or go to ‘Input > Company > Purchasing’.
On the Purchasing page, assign impact data to each material using impact datasets (e.g., ecoinvent) or with supplier data (Figure 3).
Figure 3: The purchasing page in Helix.
2.5 Add transport data.
The final step of the material journey (i.e., product and material data entry) is to add transport to your raw materials. Click Next or go to ‘Input > Company > Transport’ (Figure 4). Read more about the transport page.
Figure 4: The transport page in Helix.
Step 3: Complete the process journey
The second journey you need to complete to model your products in Helix is the process journey (i.e., process data entry). This journey is related to your manufacturing activities.
3.1 Enter usages and emissions.
Start by adding your manufacturing impacts on the Usages & Emissions page (Input > Company > Usages & Emissions; Figure 5). Read more here.
Figure 5: The usages & emissions page in Helix.
3.2 Define your processes.
Next, define the processes on the Processes page (Input > Process > Processes; Figure 6).
Figure 6: The processes page in Helix.
3.3 Allocate impacts to processes.
To divide your manufacturing impacts (filled out on the Usages & Emissions page) over your processes, go to the Footprint x Process page (Input > Process > Footprint x Process; Figure 7).
Figure 7: The footprint x process page in Helix.
3.4 Link processes to products.
The final step to complete your model in Helix is allocating your processes over your products on the Process x Product page (Figure 8).
Figure 8: The process x product page in Helix.
Step 4: View results.
You’ve completed your cradle-to-gate product model! To get to results, hit the ‘Recalculate’ button in the main menu.
Next steps
By following the material and process journeys, you’ve built a complete and accurate cradle-to-gate model in Helix. This structured approach ensures your data is connected correctly and your results are ready for analysis, reporting, or improvement. From here, you can review your product footprints, generate reports, or expand your model further (i.e., cradle-to-grave).
