> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://code.dcycle.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Resource Manager

> Create and manage the materials, energy sources, waste streams, and processes used in your Life Cycle Assessments.

## Understanding Resources

In Dcycle's LCA module, a **resource** (also called a "piece") represents any input or output in your product's life cycle. Resources are the building blocks you'll later assign to blocks in the [LCA Portfolio](/guides/lca/portfolio).

Each resource is matched to an emission factor from the **ecoinvent** database, which provides the environmental impact data needed for calculations.

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                      RESOURCE MANAGER                           │
├─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┬───────────┬───────────┤
│  Material   │   Energy    │   Waste     │  Process  │  Product  │
├─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼───────────┼───────────┤
│ Raw inputs  │ Electricity │ Solid waste │ Chemical  │ Reference │
│ Packaging   │ Natural gas │ Wastewater  │ Assembly  │ outputs   │
│ Components  │ Diesel      │ Hazardous   │ Coating   │           │
│ Chemicals   │ Heat        │ Recyclables │ Mixing    │           │
└─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┴───────────┴───────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
                   Intelligent Mapping
                   (ecoinvent database)
                              │
                              ▼
                    Emission Factors
                    assigned per resource
```

## Resource Types

| Type         | Description                           | Examples                                                  |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Material** | Raw materials and physical inputs     | Steel, plastics, wood, packaging, chemicals               |
| **Energy**   | Energy carriers and sources           | Electricity, natural gas, diesel, heat, steam             |
| **Waste**    | Waste streams and disposal            | Solid waste, wastewater, hazardous materials, recyclables |
| **Process**  | Manufacturing or transformation steps | Injection molding, welding, painting, assembly            |
| **Product**  | Reference output products             | The finished product or intermediate components           |

## Creating Resources Manually

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to LCA Resource Manager">
    In the Dcycle app, go to **LCA > Resource Manager** from the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click 'Add Resource'">
    Click the **Add Resource** button to open the creation form.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in the resource details">
    Complete the form with the following fields:

    | Field                | Required | Description                                                                        |
    | -------------------- | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Name**             | Yes      | Descriptive name (e.g., "Low-density polyethylene granulate")                      |
    | **Type**             | Yes      | One of: `material`, `energy`, `waste`, `process`, `product`                        |
    | **Supplier**         | Yes      | Name of the supplier or provider. This field is a free text, you can type anything |
    | **Supplier Country** | Yes      | Country where the supplier is located                                              |
    | **Description**      | No       | Additional details about the resource                                              |
    | **Location**         | No       | Specific location or facility                                                      |
    | **Region**           | No       | Geographic region for emission factor matching                                     |
    | **Address**          | No       | Street address (only for `material` and `process` types)                           |
    | **Postal Code**      | No       | Postal code (only for `material` and `process` types)                              |

    <Note>
      **Address and Postal Code** are only available for `material` and `process` resource types. These fields help Dcycle calculate transport distances when the resource is used in transport blocks.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the resource">
    Click **Save**. The resource is created and queued for intelligent mapping.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Bulk Upload via Excel

For large inventories, you can upload multiple resources at once using an Excel file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Resource Manager">
    Navigate to **LCA > Resource Manager**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click 'Bulk Upload'">
    Click the **Bulk Upload** button to start the import flow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the template">
    Download the Excel template provided. It contains columns for all resource fields and example rows.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in your data">
    Populate the spreadsheet with your resources. Each row represents one resource with the same fields as manual creation (name, type, supplier, supplier country, etc.).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload the file">
    Select your completed file and upload it. Dcycle validates the data and creates all resources.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Bulk Upload Tips**

  * Ensure the **type** column uses exact values: `material`, `energy`, `waste`, `process`, or `product`.
  * The **supplier country** should use standard country names.
  * Leave optional fields empty rather than filling placeholder values — this improves emission factor matching accuracy.
</Tip>

## Intelligent Mapping

After creating resources, Dcycle's intelligent mapping system automatically matches each resource to the most appropriate emission factor in the **ecoinvent** database.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Resource created">
    When you create a resource (manually or via bulk upload), it enters the mapping queue.
  </Step>

  <Step title="AI-powered matching">
    Dcycle's system analyzes the resource name, type, supplier country, and description to find the best emission factor match from ecoinvent.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and confirm">
    Once mapping is complete, the matched emission factor appears on the resource. You can review and change the mapping if needed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **Mapping takes 24-48 hours**

  Intelligent mapping is not instant. New resources typically take **24-48 hours** to be matched. Plan your LCA workflow accordingly — create resources first, then build your portfolio once mapping is complete.
</Warning>

### Status Indicators

Resources display a status indicator showing their mapping state:

| Status        | Meaning                                                                                                   |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Mapped**    | Emission factor successfully assigned. The resource is ready to use in LCA blocks.                        |
| **Pending**   | Mapping is in progress. Wait for the process to complete (24-48h).                                        |
| **Not Found** | No suitable emission factor was found. Review the resource name and details, or manually assign a factor. |

<Tip>
  **Improving Match Accuracy**

  To get better emission factor matches:

  * Use **specific, descriptive names** (e.g., "Polyethylene terephthalate granulate, bottle grade" instead of "PET").
  * Include the **correct supplier country** — ecoinvent factors are region-specific.
  * Add a **description** with technical details (e.g., density, grade, composition).
  * Set the **region** field to narrow the geographic scope.
</Tip>

## Managing Resources

Once resources are created and mapped, you can:

* **Edit** — Update name, type, supplier, country, and other fields. Re-mapping may be triggered if key fields change.
* **View emission factors** — See the matched ecoinvent factor, including the reference, database version, and unit.
* **Change emission factor** — Manually select a different emission factor if the automatic mapping isn't accurate.
* **Check usage** — See which LCA portfolios and blocks reference this resource.

<Note>
  **Shared Resources**

  Resources belong to your organization and can be reused across multiple LCA portfolios. If you update a resource's emission factor, the change applies everywhere it's used.
</Note>

## Next Steps

Once your resources are created and mapped, head to the **Portfolio** to build your product's life cycle:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="LCA Portfolio" icon="diagram-project" href="/guides/lca/portfolio">
    Build blocks, connect them, and calculate impacts
  </Card>

  <Card title="LCA Overview" icon="leaf" href="/guides/lca/overview">
    Back to LCA overview
  </Card>
</CardGroup>