Hexpol offering carbon footprint data for rubber compounds

Malmo, Sweden – Hexpol AB can now provide product carbon footprint (PCF) data for rubber materials produced at its compounding sites in Europe.

The information is generated using “an internal calculation tool” built upon the principles of ISO 14067:2018, said a 12 Jan announcement by the Swedish group.

Hexpol's methodology of calculating the 'cradle-to-gate' PCF of rubber compounds was recently certified by the German testing and consulting association TUV Rheinland.

PCF is the most established metric for determining the climate impact of materials and products, according to Hexpol's statement.

Calculations, it explained, are based on the sum of greenhouse gas emissions (and removals) in a product system, expressed as a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

At Hexpol, PCF data is calculated individually for each compound, using “detailed information regarding the emissions caused by raw materials, transport, and production will be provided.” 

To be created at the customer’s request, the PCF data will also indicate the proportion of emissions coming from primary or secondary sources, added the Swedish compounder.

Hexpol said its compounding division is “one of the first market players” that is able to provide the product transparency to customers.

Furthermore, it continued, the PCF calculator helps R&D teams to choose materials with lower emissions when creating or adjusting recipes.

“The challenge is collecting the PCF data for thousands of different raw materials from our suppliers,” said Klas Lindberg, purchasing director of Hexpol Europe and Asia.

While interest in PCF data is rapidly increasing, according to Lindberg, not all raw material suppliers are able to provide reliable data.

Where primary data cannot be provided, Hexpol ‘considers’ PCF data from various sources, according to Daniel Pankert, process intelligence manager at Hexpol Compounding Europe.

“Our information on PCFs reflects Hexpol’s current knowledge but is constantly evolving,” explained Pankert, one of the lead developers of the calculation tool.

PCF figures can, therefore, be revised when new information is made available, the Hexpol manager also pointed out.