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Helix Release Notes

Learn about recent updates in Ecochain Helix

Emily Lalonde avatar
Written by Emily Lalonde
Updated over a week ago

As Helix continues to grow and evolve, we are constantly updating and improving to enhance the user experience. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the recent changes in Helix.

Latest Updates

01.05.2025 - Update to MKI A2 weighting factor

[English below]

🔔 Let op: Deze update is alleen van toepassing op gebruikers die werken volgens de Bepalingsmethode 1.1 of 1.2 en de Milieukostenindicator A2 (set 2) gebruiken. De huidige MKI (A1, set 1) blijft ongewijzigd.

GeĂŒpdatete MKI A2 (set 2) berekening voor verbeterde nauwkeurigheid

We hebben een update doorgevoerd in de berekening van de MKI A2 (set 2), op basis van de nieuwste weegfactoren van de NMD. EĂ©n van de weegfactoren – die voor landgebruik - is recent aangepast door de NMD, en onze software is hier nu volledig op afgestemd.

Je zult mogelijk een kleine verlaging zien in de MKI A2-resultaten. Deze wijziging zorgt ervoor dat je resultaten actueel en in lijn zijn met de meest recente normen.

Let op: om de bijgewerkte resultaten te zien, dien je in Ecochain Helix op de knop ‘Herberekenen’ te klikken. De MKI A2 (set 2) is daarna automatisch bijgewerkt.

Wil je meer weten? Neem dan gerust contact op met je Customer Success Manager.

Meer informatie

De eerder gebruikte weegfactor voor landgebruik in onze software (0.000178) was gebaseerd op de consultatieversie, waarin het mid-scenario uit het CE Delft-rapport werd gevolgd (CE Delft). In de definitieve regelgeving is gekozen voor het low-scenario (0.000087), vanwege onzekerheid in de robuustheid van landgebruik data. Deze waarde is gepubliceerd op de NMD website en opgenomen in de definitieve regeling.

🔔 Please note: This update is only applicable for users that apply the Bepalingsmethode 1.1 or 1.2 to calculate the ECI A2 (set 2). The current ECI (A1, set 1) remains unchanged.

Updated ECI A2 (set 2) calculation for Improved Accuracy

We’ve implemented an update to the Environmental Cost Indicator A2 (set 2) in line with the latest NMD weighting factors. One of the impact category weightings – for land use - was recently revised by the NMD, and our software has been updated accordingly.

As a result, you may notice a slight reduction in your ECI A2 results. This update ensures your results are accurate and aligned with the most current standards.

Note: To view the updated results in Ecochain Helix, please make sure to click the ‘Recalculate’. The ECI A2 (set 2) will then be automatically updated.

If you’d like to know more, please reach out to your Customer Success Manager – we're happy to help.

More information

The previously used weighting factor for land use in our software (0.000178) was based on the consultation version, which used the mid-scenario from the CE Delft report as its source (CE Delft). The final official value (0.000087), published on the NMD website, reflects the low-scenario assumption from the CE Delft report due to uncertainty in land use data robustness. This value was adopted in the final regulation.

25.02.2025 - Add comments to years & scenarios

New update

You can now add comments to years and scenarios, allowing you to track changes and add context directly within the dropdown menu. By documenting key changes in scenarios and years you can improve transparency and collaboration within your Helix account.

What's new with comments?

  • You can now add short descriptions to each year (2007–2025) and scenario (1–6). These comments offer quick insights into what was added or changed in a specific scenario or year in your account.

  • You can edit comments in a pop-up. Comments that exceed the character limit are displayed via an ellipsis (...).

  • Your comments are only tied to the year/scenario you make them in and aren't copied to other years/scenarios if you duplicate it.

How to add comments?

  1. Click the edit icon next to a year or scenario to add a comment (Figure 1).

    Figure 1: Leaving comments on years/ scenarios in Helix.

  2. Enter a short description (maximum 20 characters) to the pop-up.

  3. Save the comment by clicking "Save" or pressing enter. Remove comments by removing the text to leave the text box empty and click "Save".

  4. Hover over a truncated comment to see the full text in a tooltip.

29.01.2025 - NMD 3.9 in Helix

New Update

We are pleased to announce NMD v3.9 is now available in Helix, providing updates for the Dutch construction sector. With this release, users can now model and report on MKI A2 results, enabling compliance with the latest regulations.

What’s new in NMD v3.9?

  1. New Dataset Inclusions:

    • Bamboo materials from BamooLogic.

    • Recycled plastics by Govaplast.

    • Corrected and expanded cement profiles.

  2. MKI A2 Integration:

    • Updated weighting factors reflecting higher emphasis on climate change and raw material depletion.

Pro tip - Using MKI A2: Wonder why you should use the NMD v3.9 database? Well, if you’re a company in the Netherlands, you will be required to calculate MKI A2 for Dutch tenders starting in January 2026.

For more on how to use and apply NMD v3.9 in Helix, click here.

06.01.2025 - Export Product Usages & Emissions

New update

We've enhanced the Excel export functionality in Helix, allowing you to download a detailed breakdown of individual usages and emissions (U&E) per product. This improvement eliminates manual workarounds and offers clearer insights for internal reporting and external verifications

What's new with exporting usages & emissions

With this release, the detailed breakdown, which was previously visible in the donut chart on the product statistics page, is now also exportable. You can download the results in Excel with more granularity in U&E data! For example: 

  • Unique rows for each U&E item contributing to the total process impact.

  • Data matches the donut chart on the product statistics page.

  • Improved usability and consistency across detailed and regular exports.

How to export usages and emissions?

  1. Go to Helix > Results > Product Overview > Download.

  2. Choose “Product Emissions Detailed” to download itemized U&E data in Excel.

03.05.2024 - Ecoinvent v3.9.1 Cut-off in Helix

New update

We published a new LCA database, Ecoinvent v3.9.1, in Helix!

What is new in Helix?

  • 1,099 new datasets and 1,876 updated datasets were integrated, with around 271 new products added.

    • Sectors updated with version 3.9 include: Agriculture, Batteries, Chemicals, Electricity, Metals, Pulp and Paper, Oil and Gas, and Waste

    • Further information can be found on the ecoinvent website.

  • Ecoinvent v3.9.1 in Helix now provides new LCIA methods - EF 3.1 and EN15804+A2 (based on EF v3.1).

    • To view these methods (Figure 1):

      • Go to settings

      • Find the calculation method.

      • In the LCA standard field, select "EF 3.1 method" or “EN15804+A2 (2022).

CAUTION LCIA methods: These new LCIA methods are NOT available for previous database versions, such as Ecoinvent v3.8 or NMD v3.8, and older.

What is the new content per sector?

Here’s what’s most relevant to our customers in the new ecoinvent v3.9.1:

  • Batteries: The update introduces new datasets for 'Lithium, Iron, and Phosphate' battery technology, expanding the database's coverage to five key battery chemistries. These datasets include specific battery components and updated information on battery separators and electrolytes.

  • Building and construction: The update includes new data for cement and concrete using recycled and waste-mixed aggregates. The global cement and concrete production datasets have been restructured, maintaining only the most representative datasets.

  • Chemicals and plastics: The update adds 36 new chemical products, including pesticides and plasticizers such as ethephon, triclopyr, and dioctyl adipate. Additionally, it introduces data on steam reforming technology for hydrogen production in Europe and globally, marking the first step towards improving hydrogen representation in the database.

  • Electricity: Ecoinvent v3.9.1 updates electricity market mixes for various regions, reflecting 2019 conditions and 2020 for the US, Canada, and Switzerland. Additionally, electricity mixes for China, India, and Brazil are updated. The update also includes detailed submarket data and new information on electricity transmission networks, covering aerial, underground, and subsea cables. Importantly, residual mixes are introduced using data from the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB).

Note - Residual mix: “Residual mix” refers to the electricity mix on the grid after excluding power from consumers who do not have specific claims to Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or Guarantees of Origin (GOs).

Using Ecoinvent v3.9.1 Cut-off in Helix

How to select the database on the usage and emissions page

If you want to use this database on the usage and emissions page:

  1. Go to settings.

  2. Find the calculation method.

  3. In the Standard Database field, select "Worldwide - Ecoinvent v 3.9.1 Cut-Off" (Figure 1).

    Figure 1: Viewing the new Ecoinvent v 3.9.1 Cut-Off calculation method in Helix.

How to select the database on the usage and emissions page?

If you want to use this database on the usage and emissions page:

  1. Go to settings.

  2. Find the calculation method.

  3. In the Standard Database field, select "Worldwide - Ecoinvent v 3.9.1 Cut-Off" (Figure 2).

    Figure 2: Selecting the new Worldwide - Ecoinvent v 3.9.1 Cut-Off database in Helix.

How to select datasets from the new database?

If you want to search for a dataset in the database:

  1. Type "v3.9.1" in the search field, followed by a keyword (i.e. electricity Europe) (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Searching for Ecoinvent v3.9.1 datasets in Helix.

When to use Ecoinvent v3.9.1?

  • Dutch Construction sector: If you are modeling products sold in the Dutch Construction sector, beware that the NMD assessment method will be updated in 2024. The NMD database will be updated to “NMD3.9”, which will be based on Ecoinvent 3.9.1. Additionally, This will involve adopting new ECI weighting factors, among others.

  • As general best practice: Use the latest database version for any new projects. In Helix, we recommend selecting EF 3.1 method, EN16804+A2 (2019, based on EF 3.1), or IPCC 2021 as the LCIA method to calculate impacts using Ecoinvent v3.9.1

27.10.2023 - Bug fixes and more!

Helix is constantly improving. In this edition, we have solved a lot of issues so you can work smoothly in the application.

Bugs fixed:

Environmental profiles can be generated using the 'generate report' button.

On the product overview page, you can download each product independently.

Other fixes:

  • The connection and unlinking of transport methods has been improved.

  • It is now possible to export products even if the account is locked.

  • When you export and reimport references on the purchasing page, all of these references are automatically connected.

We are always improving!

27.10.2023 - Helix bug - Environmental profile

Currently, the environmental profile generator is experiencing an issue. We are fixing this issue as soon as possible!

Update 27/10/2023 - This has been resolved! You can export environmental profiles as usual.

What happened?

If you download(ed) multiple environmental profiles you might receive a mail with an error message.

Solution

While we are working on deploying a fix as soon as possible, it is still possible to generate the ‘environmental profiles’ 1-by-1 from the Ecochain Helix software.

Solution 1 - download one by one on LCA report page

1. Go to the generate report pag

2. Only select one product

3. Click on Generate LCA report

4. Select on another product and repeat

Solution 2 - Go to product overview

1. Go to product overview page

2. Click on results

3. Click on Environmental profile to export the file

18.10.2023 - References in Purchasing database - issues

Is the dataset in the purchasing database not available?

What is it?

After a small update, not all databases can be found in the purchasing database.

What can be found in the purchasing database?

It is possible to select all datasets from:

  • Nationale Milieudatabase v3.1 (obv Ecoinvent 3.5)

  • Nationale Milieudatabase v3.3 (obv Ecoinvent 3.6)

  • Nationale Milieudatabase v3.5 (obv Ecoinvent 3.6)

  • Ecoinvent v3.5 Cut-off

  • Ecoinvent v3.6 Cut-off

  • Ecoinvent v3.8 Cut-off

The impact shows 0 in the purchasing page. What can I do?

Currently, some datasets show 0 values in the search results. These datasets can be selected and used even though they display 0 in the search results. When selected, then the impact of the dataset is taken into account.

Help! My dataset is not shown in the purchasing database. What can I do?

If you want to publish your datasets in the purchasing page, please do the following:

  1. Go to the product overview page (results → product overview) of the account you want to publish

  2. Click on 'unpublish all matching products'

  3. Click on 'publish all matching products'

  4. Your datasets can now be found in the purchasing database. The database is now public and all users can see and use your dataset in their own LCA model.

Note: Only admin users can publish or unpublish datasets.

26.09.2023 - Small improvements Helix (Product Results speed and bug fixes)

Helix is continuously improving!

Product results page

We have worked on increasing the loading speed of the product results page. This page should load much faster!

Composition page - manual edit

The manual edit button on the composition page has been fixed and you can now press enter to submit your materials.

Product page - Advanced setting

The product page does not show all properties by default anymore. You will have to click on 'Advanced' to see all settings

Audit projects removed

The "Audit projects" button has been removed from the results tab.

14.09.2023 - Technical issue: Process x Product page shows invalid results

The process x product page shows 0 values if you manually edit composition.

UPDATE 21/9/2023 - This is not an issue anymore. And it's working as intended.

What happened?

The distribution in the process x product page experienced a bug that showed 0 values (shown in blue) if:

  1. Custom distribution method (shown in red) is chosen

  2. Composition is changed manually (shown in orange) in the composition page. If you import an Excel file, then it doesn't matter.

Am I affected?

  • Did you use custom distribution method in process x product?

  • Did you manually change the composition of a product?

If you answered both questions with a yes, then it would be good to follow one of the workarounds below.

If you answered one of these questions with a no, then this doesn't apply to you and you can continue to work as usual.

Workarounds

Workaround 1 - Import and export products

  1. Change composition in the composition page

  2. Export products (purple) from the product page

  3. Import the same product file in the product page.

Workaround 2 - Edit composition using Excel import

  1. Export composition file from the composition page

  2. Make change in Excel

  3. Import composition file in the composition page

Updates

14.09.2023 - We are working hard on fixing this issue and will keep you updated on the process.

21.09.2023 - Issue has been resolved. There is no need to work with workarounds.

Related Articles
Explained: Nationale Milieudatabase (NMD) v3.9
Explained: Updated ECI (MKI) weighting factors
Mobius Release Notes
Explained: Environmental Footprint Method
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