Joint workshop hosted by Afera and IVK facilitates discussions on calculation methodology, scope, and features of the new PCF tool
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A targeted group of 30+ experts within the adhesives and adhesive tapes industry attended the second workshop on Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) organised by Afera and IVK in Düsseldorf on 21 September 2023.
Afera and the German Adhesives Association, IVK are jointly collaborating with Sphera, a specialized provider of sustainability consulting services to develop the sector-wide tool for harmonized PCF calculation of adhesives and adhesive tapes.
Following the webinar held in June 2023, this was the first in-person workshop. Co-hosted by Vera Haye, IVK Managing Director, and Pablo Englebienne, Afera Regulatory Affairs & Sustainability Manager, the workshop was led by Margarida Gama, PCF expert and Senior Consulting Manager at Sphera. More than 30 participants carried out key discussions on the calculation methodology, scope, and key features of the new PCF tool.
The outcome of the discussions on the following topics are summarised below:
| Calculation methodology | To be based on ‘ISO standard 14067:2018: Greenhouse Gases – Carbon Footprint of Products’ through an expansion of the Together for Sustainability (TfS) PCF Guideline |
| Scope | Cradle-to-gate* For reporting within B2B for the time being |
| Functional unit |
For tapes: For adhesives: |
| Parameters | ‘Open parameters’ [raw material, waste (including treatment), energy use, warehousing, packaging] and ‘Fixed parameters’ [transportation, auxiliary materials] |
| Raw materials | Clusters of raw materials to be defined |
| Timeline | Data collection – kick-off Jan 2024; Tool delivery – end of 2024 |
*Discussion on the inclusion of transportation to be conducted in the next workshop |
The open questions identified during the second workshop, including those regarding the grouping of raw materials, data collection process, expected timelines, and futureproofing, will be taken up in the next workshops in November to ensure that the tool supports everyone’s needs.
“This is where it really starts: an unmatched intra- and inter-industry collaboration in the adhesive and tape industries in Europe. We are on our way to a sustainable future. 30+ participants from both industries came together to co-create this unique tool that enables a standardised, easy to use and reliable PCF calculation tool,” Evert Smit, President of Afera said, post-event.
The final 2 workshops
The following workshops will be held face-to-face in November, detailing the specific implementation of the PCF calculation tool according to the needs of the industry.
PCF Tool Workshop Series
Workshop #3: Adhesive Tools
6 November, 10:00 to 17:00 (CET)
Düsseldorf
Workshop #4: Tape Tool
7 November, 10:00 to 17:00 (CET)
Düsseldorf
Harmonised Calculation of PCF of Adhesives and Tapes
The AFSP was set up with cooperation at its heart to solve problems that are too big for one single company to tackle. Joining forces with the liquid adhesive industry to develop a common approach and solution to calculate the environmental impact of adhesives and adhesive tapes is one such example.
The 2 associations are working with software developer Sphera on an online platform, access to which will be made available to Tape Manufacturer Members under an access fee.
The common goal is to ensure that Member Companies are soon able to determine PCF values for adhesives and tapes in a straightforward, harmonised, affordable manner. This will allow businesses to meet future legal requirements as well as the demands of the supply chain.
Get more information regarding the PCF tool here: Afera PCF calculation tool: The what, why, how and when
Enquire or register
For access to the webinar recording and/or registration details for the upcoming workshops, enquire here or contact us at AFSP@afera.com.