Elinkaariarvoon

Elinkaariarvoon is the illative form of the Finnish noun elinkaariarvo, and as such it is not a separate concept but a grammatical form used in sentences that refer to or aim toward lifecycle value. The root term elinkaariarvo means the value generated by a product, service, or system over its entire life cycle.

The underlying concept, elinkaariarvo, describes the cumulative value across stages from raw material extraction to end of life, including economic costs and benefits as well as environmental and social impacts. In practice, lifecycle value is discussed within life cycle thinking, often in conjunction with methods such as life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC). Valuation may combine quantitative results with qualitative considerations, and may apply discounting and horizon analyses to compare different options.

Applications include guiding product design toward longer, more durable or more recyclable solutions; informing procurement criteria that prioritize total lifecycle value over upfront price; and supporting policy analyses and circular economy strategies that seek to maximize long-term benefits and minimize externalities.

Limitations and challenges center on measuring non-market effects, data quality and availability, and the choice of time horizon and discount rates. Valuing environmental and social impacts can be controversial and may involve methodological and normative assumptions, which must be made explicit in analysis.

See also elinkaariarvo, elinkaarianalyysi, elinkaarikustannus, life cycle assessment (LCA). The term elinkaariarvoon is primarily a grammatical form used in Finnish language contexts rather than a distinct field of study.