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Taking responsibility together: The product carbon footprint at RUDOLF
At RUDOLF, sustainability is about more than the quality of a product. It starts with its development.
We use Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs), which we have calculated according to the Partnership for Carbon Transparency (PACT) methodology and which have been certified by TÜV SÜD, to highlight the respective climate impact of our products. By being one of the first companies to have its PACT methodology certified by TÜV SÜD, we are setting new standards for transparency and credibility in CO₂ accounting. The PCF quantifies the greenhouse gas emissions attributable to a product during specific phases of its life cycle.
At RUDOLF, PCFs are calculated using both the PACT methodology and the industry standard, in accordance with the Together for Sustainability (TfS) PCF Guidelines. The calculation is based on the cradle-to-gate methodology. This takes into account emissions from the extraction of raw materials to the factory gate, including incoming transport, energy consumption and the company's own production processes. However, the assessment does not include packaging or outgoing shipments. It provides a transparent and comparable foundation for the systematic understanding and reduction of emissions.
Transparency Creates Change
“For us, credibility comes with solid data. The certification of our PCF Program is not the finish line; it is a foundation. It gives our R&D and our partners reliable insights that help us make better decisions, focus on what is truly impactful, and move forward step by step with ambition and pragmatism.”
– Fabian Walda, Head of Sustainability at RUDOLF
This is based on the consideration of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated throughout the product's life cycle. The entire process is covered, from extracting raw materials to manufacturing the product. Potential sources of emissions are identified by systematically recording all phases—from extraction to manufacture, use, and disposal or recycling.
The next step is to collect reliable data. This includes material and energy consumption during production and transport, as well as logistics processes. The information is essential for creating a reliable emissions balance. Scopes 1, 2, and 3 originate from the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and help companies systematically record their greenhouse gas emissions. A complete product carbon footprint takes all three scopes into account, focusing on Scope 3 emissions in Category 1 (purchased goods and services).
Ensuring the accuracy and credibility of the RUDOLF PCF program is a core principle of the PCF methodology. To this end, RUDOLF prioritizes the use of primary data, particularly for activities under its operational control.
For upstream emissions, such as those arising in connection with raw material procurement, secondary data from reputable third-party databases is initially used. RUDOLF actively collaborates with suppliers to collect product-specific emissions data. Over time, this allows secondary data to be replaced by more accurate, supplier-specific primary data. This continuous improvement process enhances the overall accuracy and transparency of our PCF results.
Finally, the results are evaluated. This involves identifying the emission hotspots with the largest share of the carbon footprint. These findings can be used to initiate targeted measures to reduce emissions in order to systematically improve the product's climate impact.
Certified credibility
The RUDOLF PCF program has been audited by TÜV SÜD and meets the requirements of global standards, including PCF program certification in accordance with the PACT methodology and the TfS PCF standard.
This means that our data is not only accurate, but also independently validated. All PCF values are given per kilogram of unpackaged product and measured using the “cradle-to-gate” system boundary approach in Geretsried. Changes due to new products or regulations may result in adjustments. Transparency always remains our benchmark.
Request the Product Carbon Footprint
Glossary
CO₂ | Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It is primarily produced through the combustion of fossil fuels, industrial processes, and respiration. Because CO₂ traps heat in the atmosphere, it is one of the most important greenhouse gases and a significant contributor to climate change. |
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ecoinvent | ecoinvent is a comprehensive life cycle inventory (LCI) database providing data on the environmental impact of thousands of products and services. Used worldwide in ecodesign applications, industry and scientific research, it supports decision-making processes aimed at improving sustainability in various sectors. |
GLEC | GLEC stands for Global Logistics Emissions Council, an international organisation dealing with the calculation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the logistics industry. GLEC has developed the GLEC Framework, a globally recognised guideline for transparently recording and reporting greenhouse gases in the logistics chain. This guideline has now also been incorporated into the international standard ISO 14083. |
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol | The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is an internationally recognized framework for recording and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. It establishes standards for measuring, classifying (Scope 1, 2, and 3), and transparently communicating emissions. The goal is to establish consistency and reliability in climate accounting. |
Overhead-Activities | Overhead-Activities are emissions that cannot be attributed to a single product. Rather, they originate from general business processes. These activities are therefore considered "overhead costs" and typically arise in administration or infrastructure. |
PACT | The Partnership for Carbon Transparency (PACT) is an international initiative that establishes a global standard for the exchange of product-related CO₂ emissions data. Based on recognized standards such as ISO 14067 and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, PACT enables efficient, interoperable data exchange between companies through digital product passports. The initiative aims to transparently and comparably communicate product carbon footprints along the entire value chain. |
PCF | The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated during a product's life cycle—from raw material extraction to production, transport, use, and disposal. Expressed in CO₂ equivalents, the PCF provides a transparent basis for presenting and reducing a product's climate impact. |
QGIX | QGIS is free software for geographic information systems that can be used to view, edit, capture, analyze, convert, and display spatial data. |
Scope 1 | This includes all direct emissions generated within the company, such as gas consumption in production and company vehicle use. |
Scope 2 | All indirect emissions from purchased energy (e.g. electricity, steam or district heating) used in the manufacturing process. |
Scope 3 | All other indirect emissions occurring outside the company but relating to the product (e.g. raw material extraction, supply chains, transport, use and disposal). |
TfS | The TfS (Together for Sustainability) Guidelines provide a framework for calculating the carbon footprint of products in the chemical industry. They help companies quantify and report their greenhouse gas emissions. |
TÜV SÜD | TÜV SÜD is an independent testing and certification company headquartered in Munich. It helps companies around the world to ensure that their products, processes and systems are safe, high-quality and sustainable. |
WBCSD | The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a global network of more than 250 leading companies promoting sustainability as a key driver of competitiveness. |