Implementation of Product Carbon Footprint Methodology in the chemical industry - A case study for BIM Kemi AB

Abstract

The research aims to define an appropriate methodology for elaborating product carbon footprints for BIM Kemi AB, a chemical industry located in Stenkullen, Sweden. The scope includes a review of two methodologies which are based on the life thinking approach and on the life cycle assessment (LCA) tool. Once a methodology has been selected, PAS 2050, it has been applied to a product manufactured at the company. The study was intended to cover all the stages included in a cradle-to-gate study. Data has been collected from suppliers, who were asked to respond a questionnaire, publications and online databases. However the data collection has proved to be difficult due to that the supply chain is not ready for providing the data required. Approximations have been made for some ingredients and the results have shown that in the specific case of the analyzed product the major contribution to the carbon footprint comes from the manufacturing and transporting of ingredients. The transport of the product to the customers‘ gates (an average distance) has also shown to be an important contributor. The manufacturing of the product itself is less harmful in global warming impact terms. The study also provides some guidelines for the company to consider them in future product carbon footprint calculations.