Bildet viser Ole M. K. Iversen

A Passion for LCA: Ole Magnus Kålås Iversen Ole Magnus Kålås Iversen  

 

In this post you will get to know Ole Magnus Kålås Iversen better. You will learn more about his exciting background, his passion for sustainability and his new role in the company. 

From Argentina to Kråkerøy 

Our Chief Product Officer, Ole, with a Master of Science in Industrial Ecology from NTNU, has an impressive background in environmental system analysis. After living and studying in Argentina, he chose to return to Norway to pursue a career in his core areas of expertise. He began his professional journey at Østfoldforskning (now Norsus), where he worked closely with current colleagues at LCA.no, Mie Vold and Trond Edvardsen. Together, they focused on developing tools for improved data collection, analysis, and documentation of the environmental impact of industrial products throughout the value chain, thus forming the concept of today’s LCA.no. During his time at Østfoldforskning, Ole was involved in innovative projects such as the EPD projects with Jotun and efforts in the asphalt industry. 

Motivation and Transition to LCA.no 

One key motivation for founding LCA.no with Mie Vold and Trond Edvardsen was the unique opportunity to develop innovative tools that help companies reduce their environmental impact. He saw significant potential in using his expertise to develop EPD generators and LCA tools that have direct and measurable effects on the environment. With a solid background in biology and chemistry, Ole has a deep understanding of how the numbers actually affect real environmental conditions. This scientific insight gives him a unique perspective when developing solutions that are both scientifically sound and practically applicable for all users of LCA.no’s tools. At LCA.no, Ole combines his passion for reducing environmental impact with his technical expertise, contributing to driving sustainable innovation across various industries. 

Passion for LCA 

Ole’s passion for the environment has always been strong, and he has wanted to use his skills to make a tangible difference. His studies in biology and later in industrial ecology sparked a great interest in how everything in our society affects the environment. Ole believes that digitalization is a prerequisite for implementing the green shift on a global level, and he finds great inspiration in the work of documenting environmental impact through digital solutions. We need good data to map today’s environmental impact and reduce future impacts. 

Responsibilities as Chief Product Officer 

– “As Chief Product Officer, I am responsible for the development of LCA.no’s tools, including the EPD generator and LCA tools. I ensure that the products are up-to-date, meet customer needs, and comply with the latest requirements and best practices. My work involves project management, meetings with the development team, coordination with research departments, and client consultations for the continuous improvement of the tools. I also focus on needs assessment, analysis, and product specifications, as well as close dialogue with the R&D team,” explains Ole. 

Standing Out from Competitors 

LCA.no’s software stands out by being particularly user-friendly and adaptable to different industries’ needs. With over 10 years of experience with EPD generators, the company has built core expertise in what it takes to be a market leader in EPDs. LCA.no places great emphasis on self-service, automation, and customization to customers’ needs, which sets them apart from many other software companies. 

Challenges and Updates in the Environmental Software Market 

One of the biggest challenges in the environmental software market is keeping up with constantly changing regulations and standards globally. Ole also highlights the importance of user-friendliness and accuracy in the software, as well as the legal aspects related to EPD figures and regulations. To ensure that the products are always up to date, LCA.no has a dedicated team monitoring changes in regulations and standards, as well as close collaboration with research institutions. 

Future Plans and Innovations 

LCA.no is working on integrating AI-based analysis into their LCA tools to make them even more accurate and efficient. They are also developing new modules to help companies better understand and reduce their carbon footprint. Furthermore, they plan to adapt the EPD Generator for an international market, working towards harmonization so that users can easily use EPDs in different countries. 

Future Prospects for the Software Market 

Ole believes that the market will see an increase in demand for integrated environmental tools offering comprehensive solutions. Technological advances like AI and machine learning will play a bigger role in providing more precise and efficient tools. At the same time, the competence of the people developing and using these solutions will be crucial for them to function effectively. He also envisions a more modular and specialized approach to ESG reporting, which will require data from many sources and could result in very complex systems. 

Quality, Leadership, and Personal Inspiration 

To balance innovation with reliability and stability, LCA.no has strict quality control processes and extensive testing before launching new features. The company ensures quality through regular audits, user testing, and continuous improvement based on feedback from users and stakeholders. To stay ahead of the market, LCA.no invests in research and development, keeps up with the latest trends and technologies, and works closely with leading academic institutions and industry partners. 

Being Curious and Open to Learning 

Finally, we asked Ole two things: if he could mention a book that has inspired him and if he had a “fun fact” about himself: “It’s hard to pick one book off the top of my head, but one that has inspired me and helped me see society from multiple perspectives is Mengele Zoo by Gert Nygaardshaug. The novel explores themes like environmentalism, economic exploitation, justice, and personal vendetta. It raises complex questions about morality and ethics in relation to environmental protection. My advice to young people who want to work in technology and the environmental field is to be curious and open to learning, build a strong academic foundation, and value interdisciplinary collaboration and practical experience.” 

As for a “fun fact,” I can mention that I spent a few months in Argentina as a Norwegian teacher, where I taught both written and spoken Norwegian to Argentine students. Not many Norwegians have had that joy and experience,” Ole shared. 

We look forward to seeing the results of the important work Ole leads and coordinates in his role as CPO, and we wish him the best of luck!