The stainless steel industry has embarked on a transformative journey towards more sustainable practices. At the heart of this shift is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a tool used to measure the environmental impact of products from production to disposal. While LCAs offer critical insights, the industry faces challenges in standardising these assessments, as highlighted in a recent presentation at the Green Steel World event.
By Joanne McIntyre, Stainless Steel World
During the recent Green Steel World conference, I talked with Marcus Hillbom, Business Development Manager at Alleima, about the challenges of achieving benchmark LCA standards across the industry. Companies like Alleima are spearheading efforts to refine LCA processes, shedding light on the complexities and variances that currently exist in calculating carbon footprints. One of the primary reasons for discrepancies in LCA results is the interpretative nature of existing standards, such as ISO 14067:2018 (Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products — Requirements and guidelines for quantification).
“These guidelines, while providing a framework, allow for a degree of flexibility that can lead to significant variations in reported carbon footprints,” explained Marcus. “For instance, the standards permit the inclusion of only 80% of emissions, leaving room for interpretation and potential manipulation. This lack of uniformity poses a challenge for consumers and manufacturers alike, as they navigate through differing data to assess environmental impacts accurately.”
Scopes 1, 2 & 3
Another critical factor in the diverse LCA calculations is the treatment of different scopes of emissions. Specifically, the exclusion of Scope 3 emissions – which can account for 60 to 90% of a product’s total carbon footprint – can drastically alter the perceived environmental impact. “This discrepancy underscores the importance of understanding the underlying data and the choices made in sourcing raw materials and energy, both of which significantly influence a product’s carbon footprint,” Marcus continued.
“The journey towards a unified standard for LCA in the stainless steel industry mirrors the path taken by the automotive sector years ago. As with the standardised Worldwide Harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) for vehicle emissions, the stainless steel industry needs a common benchmark to ensure consistency and transparency. This alignment would empower consumers to make informed decisions and foster a level playing field for manufacturers, ultimately driving industry-wide progress.”
A promising future
In conclusion, while the path to standardized LCA practices is fraught with challenges, the ongoing efforts by industry leaders and committees indicate a promising future. By advocating for transparency and accuracy, companies like Alleima are not only advancing their own sustainability goals but also contributing to the broader industry’s evolution. As these standards continue to develop, they will serve as vital tools in the global effort to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable manufacturing practices.
Read more next month…
Read Marcus Hillbom’s full article on LCA, based on his presentation at Green Steel World, in the August issue of Stainless Steel World.
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