Stannol is now reporting the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) for over 1,600 manufacturing products, i.e. for almost 100 per cent of our self-manufactured goods in the solder wire, solder paste, flux and solder bar product areas. The emission values are shown on our business documents (quotation, order confirmation, delivery note and invoice) at item level in kg CO2e per unit of quantity and as a total emission quantity for the respective order.
What is the PCF?
The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) quantifies the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated during the life cycle of a specific product. This cycle begins with the extraction of raw materials and continues through processing and production, transport, use, disposal and recycling. The PCF is usually measured in CO2 equivalents and enables companies and consumers to compare the environmental impact of different products. Products made from secondary materials, for example, save more than 80 percent of emissions compared to primary tin.
Creating transparency
"With the PCF, we want to create transparency for our customers. We want to deal proactively and openly with this area of sustainable reporting along the supply chain. By calculating the PCF, we can identify and implement measures to reduce the environmental impact of our products ourselves. This gives our business partners the opportunity to make informed purchasing decisions and give preference to products with a lower environmental impact," emphasises Ingo Lomp, Head of Innovation at Stannol. In addition, the PCF can simplify and positively influence the calculation of a customer's own carbon footprint.
Cradle-to-gate approach
The reported carbon footprint takes into account the greenhouse gas emissions according to the so-called cradle-to-gate approach, i.e. the emissions that arise from the extraction of the raw materials (cradle) until they leave the Stannol site (factory gate).
Primary and secondary data as a basis
The partial CO2 footprint is calculated using primary and secondary data. To collect primary data, we involved our suppliers, gathered valid data from the relevant departments and had it confirmed. The secondary data comes from public and commercial emissions databases (e.g. Gemis, BAFA, EstiMol). In the case of raw materials that cannot be found in the databases or for which the supplier companies cannot provide data, we orientate ourselves as far as possible to similar raw materials. To ensure an honest approach, these factors are calculated with a safety margin.
"Basically, we assume that the exchange of information and the provision of data within the supply chain will increase and that data will become more accurate. We are building on the fact that awareness of sustainability is constantly growing among those involved in the supply chain, meaning that disclosure and transparency in this area will become a matter of course," explains Ingo Lomp.
You can find more information on our website in the Sustainability section.