TCAce Software

TCAce software is a powerful calculation tool for analyzing results of a Total Cost Assessment Workshop.

With applications in product, process and facilitation decision making, TCAce allows the user to implement the Total Cost Assessment (TCA) methodology developed in collaboration with industry. TCAce integrates scenario case studies and sensitivity/ uncertainty/risk analysis into your existing economic evaluation framework to give you the information you need to make sound decisions that consider all environmental, health, and safety issues. Companies have estimated that a single TCAce analysis has improved expected decision profitability by millions of dollars.

Unlike simpler analyses, TCAce uses the power of Bayesian statistics to generate a picture of the future: best case, worst case and the probability of what lies between. This complex analysis takes the blinders off decision-makers and acknowledges that events may occur beyond their control which may change the results of a decision for the better or worse.

When used effectively, TCAce

  • Protects and improves brand value
  • Dramatically reduces manufacturing costs
  • Identifies best social, environmental and economic options
  • Maximizes profit and reduces risks
  • Provides for complete assessment of environmental and environ-mentally- related human health costs
  • Enables the integration of life cycle assessment with life cycle cost analysis
  • Provides input for process, project, or corporate-level investment decision making
  • Applies to a broad range of business environments

How did TCAce come about?

An industry collaboration of ten companies led by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Center for Waste Reduction Technologies (CWRT) developed the Total Cost Assessment methodology. This team defined the requirements for TCAce as a tool to support and extend the TCA methodology. Sylvatica developed the software, which was then tested and approved by the CWRT industry collaboration.

In what types of decisions can TCAce assist?

Designed for internal managerial decision making, TCAce can help determine design, focus, or investment areas for any size project, process, or business decision.

  • Should we use ethanol or another solvent in our process?
  • Should our plant be located in an urban or a rural location?
  • Where should we focus our E&H dollars?
  • Is product A or product B more likely to have E&H consequences and costs in the future?

Who Needs TCAce? 

  • Product/process designers in the design stage of new products and processes
  • Engineers in the assessment of environmental projects
  • Industrial hygienists looking to implement health and/or safety measures
  • Business managers and analysts in developing product and business strategy
  • Environmental managers, to determine financial priorities and to reduce a company's future risks and liabilities
  • Investors, to assess an enterprise's E&H risk and liabilities
  • Owners and shareholders, because of the potential impact environmental costs may have on the financial return on their investment in the enterprise
  • Customers, suppliers, regulators, and anyone else interested in determining total costs related to environmental issues

TCAce comes with

TCAce is based on the powerful Analytica tool, and the TurboPlayer version is included when you make your purchase (more powerful versions are available on request). TCAce also includes the documentation, manual tools, and data developed by the AIChE.

“TCAce is being selectively piloted in Dow Chemical with positive results. I see TCA as an important tool in achieving the sustainable development objectives out-lined in the Dow ‘Public Report 1999’.”
- Duane Koch, Waste Minimization Manager, Dow Chemical

About Sylvatica

Founded in 1996, Sylvatica brings economic benefits of environmental consciousness to industries around the world. Through corporate consulting and easy-to-use products, Sylvatica has helped hundreds of companies improve their environmental record while improving their bottom line. www.sylvatica.com

TCAce was developed in collaboration with a consortium of member companies of the AIChE CWRT: Bristol-Myers Squibb, The Dow Chemical Company, Eastman Chemical, Eastman Kodak, Georgia Pacific, Merck, Monsanto, Owens Corning, Rohm & Haas, and GlaxoSmithKline; with support from the US Department of Energy/Office of Industrial Technologies and the National Business Roundtable Industrial Pollution Prevention Council.