Enrollment
By August 26, 2025
Delivery mode
Live online
September 16 - October 1, 2025
Frequency
Location
Live Online
Language
English
Scope
3 ECTS
Sustainable Process Industry with Process Model-Based LCA
The European Union’s ambitious environmental goals, including climate neutrality by 2050, rely heavily on the process industry, which is essential for supplying raw materials to various manufacturing sectors.
The process industry spans a wide range of energy-intensive sectors such as chemicals, metallurgy, steel, minerals, cement, ceramics, engineering, pulp and paper, refining, and water. In addition, it plays a critical role in recycling, as processes originally designed for primary raw materials can also be adapted for waste recycling from manufacturing products.
The Sustainable Process Industry with Process Model-Based LCA program is part of a more comprehensive Certificate in Advanced LCA Simulation program. It is designed to help product designers gain the foundational knowledge and tools needed to assess and optimize the environmental performance of products, particularly batteries, without sacrificing functional quality. This program introduces key concepts in lifecycle assessment (LCA) and process modeling using HSC software, covering topics such as HSC Chemistry, Metallurgical and Chemical Technology, and the basic principles of HSC with an emphasis on simple calculation modules. Participants will also explore HSC Sim, including modeling techniques for various processes like shaft furnaces, gas cleaning, and magnetite concentration. The program is ideal for industries such as electronics, automotive, aeronautics, and sustainable energy technologies.
Learning Outcomes
After the completion of this program, you will
- understand the basic benefits of Process Model Based LCA
- create flowsheet simulation models based on elemental distributions (pyro, etc.), chemical reactions (hydro, etc.), and particles (mineral processing, etc.)
- link process models to LCA calculations and convert sustainability into physics-based and process engineering economic reality
- analyze LCA, energetic, and exergy of production chains by the utilization of HSC Chemistry®, OpenLCA, and ecoinvent
- create sustainability analyses of processing and recycling of end-of-life products in the context of battery metals production and battery recycling.
For
The program is suitable for people with an educational background in chemistry, metallurgy, mineral processing, process modeling, or sustainability technology.
We recommend that participants have prior experience in chemistry, metallurgy, mineral processing, modeling, or LCA.
This program is particularly relevant for
- Process engineers
- Process designers
- Technology marketing experts
- Environmental protection experts and
- Experts who work in process plants, technology companies, power plants, pulp and paper industry
- Authorities
Program Structure
This program includes 3 study sessions, an introductory kick-off event and a closing session. Throughout this program, the instructors from Metso will share their expertise gained from numerous projects, providing valuable insights into optimizing industrial processes. They will guide participants in leveraging innovative technologies and sustainable solutions to enhance operational efficiency, offering a competitive advantage through advanced process modeling and cutting-edge technologies.
Modules
Introductory Kick-off Session & Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Schedule
September 16, 2025
Location
Live Online
The Introductory Kick-off Session provides a comprehensive overview of the program and sets the stage for the learning journey ahead. This session introduces the key concepts of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the essential tools used throughout the course, including Keynote Presentations from the leading industry organizations. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of LCA and how it integrates with the broader context of sustainability in industrial processes.
Objectives:
-
Gain an understanding of the program structure and key learning outcomes
-
Hear from Industry experts, two key organizations providing crucial LCA data and software tools
-
Understand the core principles of Life Cycle Assessment and its application in sustainability
-
Develop a foundational knowledge of LCA tools and how they will be used throughout the program
Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment + HSC Basic & Equilibrium
Schedule
September 23, 2025
Location
Live Online
The HSC Basic & Equilibrium session provides an introduction to the HSC Chemistry software, focusing on the fundamental principles of metallurgical and chemical technology, and its application in the field of process modeling. Participants will explore HSC Basic Principles and Support Modules to understand how to use the software for simple calculations related to equilibrium processes.
The session covers the Gem Equilibrium module, which allows participants to model and analyze chemical equilibria in different systems. Practical examples will demonstrate how to apply the Gem Equilibrium module to solve equilibrium-related problems and gain insights into the behavior of chemical processes in various industrial applications.
Objectives:
-
Understand the basic principles and functionalities of HSC Chemistry software
-
Learn how to use the Gem Equilibrium module to model chemical equilibria
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Explore simple calculation modules and how to apply them to metallurgical and chemical processes
-
Gain hands-on experience in solving equilibrium problems using HSC
HSC Sim Basics
Schedule
September 24, 2025
Location
Live Online
The HSC Sim Basics session introduces participants to the core functionalities of HSC Sim, a powerful software tool for process simulation and modeling. Participants will gain hands-on experience with HSC Sim through a series of practical exercises that cover different types of process models, including element distribution, reaction equations, and particle distributions.
Key topics covered in this session include modeling for a Shaft Furnace (element distributions – Pyro), Gas Cleaning (reaction equations – Hydro), and Magnetite Concentration (particle distributions – MinPro). Participants will also explore how to combine these models to simulate more complex processes and better understand industrial operations.
Objectives:
-
Learn how to use HSC Sim for different types of process simulations
-
Model element distributions, reaction equations, and particle distributions using HSC Sim
-
Understand how to apply HSC Sim in various industrial processes, such as pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and mineral processing
-
Gain the ability to combine models to simulate complex systems and optimize processes
In Partnership with Metso: Opportunity to Explore HSC Software
Co-designed with Metso, participants of this module have a unique chance to explore the HSC software and its applications. Combining deep industry knowledge with cutting-edge technology, Metso focuses on improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and enabling the circular economy.
HSC Sim is a process simulator designed particularly for the mining industry but also for other industries. It is one of the first software packages to combine versatile chemical, thermodynamic, and mineral-processing features. The aim has been to develop a simple but powerful tool for ordinary process engineers. License for HSC will be provided for all course participants, and it will be valid for the duration of the course.
Metso is a Finnish global technology company specializing in sustainable solutions for the mining, aggregates, recycling, and process industries. With a team of over 14,000 professionals, Metso operates worldwide, providing innovative solutions that drive business growth while addressing the most pressing challenges in industrial sectors.
Developed in Collaboration with Research Institutions and Industry
The program is designed and developed by Aalto University, Metso, TU Bergakademi Freiberg, University of Bordeaux, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. VTT and Aalto University Executive Education.
The program supports the EU’s sustainable products initiative to make products placed on the EU market more sustainable. It provides product designers with knowledge and tools to understand how they can adjust existing material cycles and design new processes to optimize the environmental performance of batteries while maintaining their functional quality. Applications include electronic equipment such as computers, phones, and tablets, the automotive and aeronautic sectors, and sustainable energy-related technologies.
Program Fee and Registration
The program fee is € 1,350 (+ VAT).
Participants may choose to complete this program as a standalone or join the comprehensive Certificate in Advanced LCA Simulation that this program is a part of.