Work package · Economics05Techno-economic analysis & LCA

Techno-economic analysis that makes the cost drivers visible.

Process-linked cost, manufacturing, sustainability, and scenario analysis that identifies what controls viability, how alternatives compare, and where development effort creates value.

Defined inputs · review points · issued outputs
Typical stageScreening · feasibility · investment
Primary inputsFlowsheet · equipment · market basis
Primary outputsCAPEX · OPEX · cost drivers
Common interfacesEngineering · finance · leadership
01 · Purpose

Connect process performance to cost, value, and development priorities.

A useful techno-economic analysis does not produce a single attractive number. It makes the cost structure transparent, tests the assumptions that matter, and shows where technical improvement or additional evidence can change the conclusion.

ONB integrates process modeling, equipment and cost estimation, manufacturing analysis, scenario analysis, and sustainability metrics to support feasibility, development planning, investment review, route comparison, and commercialization decisions.

02 · Decision questions

What will the process cost?

Estimate capital, operating cost, unit production cost, total cost of ownership, and stage-appropriate ranges.

What controls the economics?

Identify the performance, scale, feedstock, utility, equipment, financing, and market variables that dominate.

Where should development focus?

Translate sensitivities into technical targets, cost-reduction priorities, and evidence requirements.

How do alternatives compare?

Compare routes, manufacturing strategies, product configurations, locations, and environmental scenarios consistently.

03 · Scope & capabilities

Techno-economic analysis

Integrated process and cost models, unit cost, cash-flow inputs, scale effects, scenarios, and uncertainty.

CAPEX and OPEX estimation

Equipment-based capital estimates, installation factors, utilities, consumables, labor, maintenance, and replacement assumptions.

DFMA and manufacturing cost

Design-for-manufacture-and-assembly analysis, process selection, production redesign, and cost-driver decomposition.

Total cost of ownership

Acquisition, operation, energy, maintenance, consumables, downtime, replacement, and end-of-life considerations.

Life Cycle Assessment

Goal and scope, system boundaries, inventory development, scenario comparison, and interpretation support.

Roadmapping and market analysis

Development targets, application screening, market assumptions, adoption constraints, and commercialization priorities.

04 · Typical deliverables
Documented technical and economic basis
Process-linked CAPEX and OPEX model
Unit production cost or TCO analysis
Cost-driver and sensitivity analysis
Scenario and uncertainty ranges
Benchmark or alternative comparison
LCA inventory and interpretation basis
Development targets and recommended next work
05 · Engineering principle

The answer should be a range with a reason—not false precision.

Cost accuracy depends on engineering maturity and source data. ONB documents estimate basis, confidence, exclusions, scaling assumptions, contingencies, and the variables that can materially change the conclusion.

06 · Representative applications
Feasibility studiesR&D prioritizationInvestment reviewFunding proposalsProcess-route comparisonManufacturing redesignLow-carbon technologiesEnergy and fuelsSpecialty chemicalsCritical-mineral processes
07 · Frequently asked questions
How accurate will the cost estimate be?
Accuracy depends on project maturity, estimate class, equipment definition, location, vendor data, and contingency basis. ONB states the estimate basis and uncertainty rather than implying greater precision than the inputs support.
Can ONB update an existing TEA?
Yes. ONB can audit assumptions, reconcile the process basis, update equipment and operating costs, test scenarios, and improve model transparency.
Can TEA be integrated with a feasibility study or process model?
Yes. Integrating the technical and economic models generally produces a more consistent basis and makes it easier to translate sensitivities into engineering priorities.
Does ONB perform LCA independently or with TEA?
Either approach is possible. TEA and LCA can share a process inventory and scenario structure, or LCA can be delivered as a separate work package with an agreed goal, scope, boundary, and data-quality basis.
Start with the scope

What decision, drawing, model, or study does the project need next?