Building Trust in Product Carbon Footprints
CO₂ Transparency as the Key to Climate Action
The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) quantifies greenhouse gas emissions from raw material extraction to the factory gate (cradle-to-gate). This measurement captures all CO₂ equivalent emissions associated with producing a specific product.
With growing regulatory requirements and rising customer demands for emissions transparency, reliable PCF data enables companies to track their Scope 3 emissions and identify reduction opportunities. Product-level transparency forms the foundation for effective sustainability strategies across chemical value chains to achieve climate neutrality goals.
As the chemical industry transitions away from fossil feedstocks, collaboration across the value chain is essential for success. PCF transparency fosters effective partnerships across the entire value chain, creating trust, reducing compliance costs, and increasing market uptake of more sustainable products while supporting competitive positioning.
Lifecycle+: TÜV-Certified Automated Calculations for Reliable PCF Data
Our comprehensive digitalization of product-specific life cycle assessments (LCA) represents a pioneering achievement in the chemical industry. Our TÜV-certified automated system Lifecycle+ calculates emissions for approximately 50,000 products annually, processing supplier-specific data and integrating information from our internal systems. This automated approach delivers significantly superior Data Quality Ratings (DQR) compared to conventional manual calculations that rely on averaged reference values from third-party databases.
We follow the Together for Sustainability (TfS) PCF Guidelines for the Chemical Industry, ensuring our data is comparable across the sector. The approach complies with ISO 14040, ISO 14044, ISO 14067 and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, with the TÜV Rheinland certification validating our calculation methods.
The resulting standardized PCF data supports the required sustainability reporting, procurement decisions and regulatory compliance across global markets. This transparency enables informed choices between conventional and alternative feedstocks, including bio-based and recycled raw materials as well as other innovative raw materials, helping to identify opportunities for cutting emissions within one’s own value chains.
While PCF focuses specifically on greenhouse gas emissions, our comprehensive LCA approach evaluates additional environmental impact categories. For detailed information about these broader environmental impacts and our complete LCA methodology, explore our LCA webpage.
How does Covestro calculate PCFs?
Covestro uses Lifecycle+, our automated, TÜV Rheinland-certified LCA tool, to calculate cradle-to-gate emissions for approximately 50,000 products, combining information such as process emission data from our internal ERP systems with supplier-specific raw material data.
What standards does Covestro follow for PCF calculations?
We follow the TfS PCF Guidelines for the Chemical Industry, ISO 14040, ISO 14044, ISO 14067 standard, and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. This ensures our PCF data is comparable across the chemical industry and supports effective collaborative partnerships along the value chain.
How is PCF data made available to customers?
Product-specific PCF data is available through our customers' sales contact. Our customers receive detailed emissions information along with supporting documentation for integration into their sustainability calculations and reporting frameworks.
How can the PCF be reduced?
PCF reduction requires collaboration across the entire value chain. Key approaches include selecting alternative feedstocks such as bio-based or recycled raw materials, improving energy efficiency in production, and partnering with suppliers who strive to continuously reduce emissions. Our sales team is available to support companies in identifying the most effective reduction strategies for their specific applications.
More Information
Press Release Life Cycle Assessments digitalized: boosting transparency
Webinar: Transparency at Scale: How Covestro automates LCAs for their global product portfolio
Interview with Mathias Matner, Head of Sustainability and Advocacy, Coatings & Adhesives
Together for Sustainability: The Product Carbon Footprint Guideline for the Chemical Industry