Reducing Product Carbon Footprints through lower-PCF Raw Materials

For many chemical products, raw materials represent the largest share of the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF). By sourcing selected raw materials with a lower PCF than other conventional alternatives or benchmarks, BASF can offer products with reduced Product Carbon Footprints while maintaining the same quality and performance that customers expect from BASF products. 

What are lower-PCF raw materials? 
Lower-PCF raw materials are selected raw materials from suppliers with a lower PCF than conventional sourcing alternatives or industry benchmarks. 

Through an attribution approach (Mass Balance) and a verified PCF calculation methodology, the carbon reduction benefits of these feedstocks are allocated to specific products using these raw materials, enabling BASF to offer products with a reduced PCF. 

The chemical composition, product quality and performance remain unchanged. Customers receive the same product while benefiting from a reduced Product Carbon Footprint.

Product availability 

Within BASF's reduced-PCF portfolio, lower-PCF raw materials are currently used in combination with other carbon-reduction measures such as electricity from renewable energy sources and lower-PCF steam, enabling further reductions in Product Carbon Footprints. 

Products manufactured at the Ludwigshafen Verbund site can achieve PCF reductions of approximately 10% to 45%* compared to corresponding conventional products.

*Product carbon footprint (PCF) refers to cradle-to-gate emissions and is calculated according to applicable methodologies. PCF reductions are assessed case-by-case in comparison with the conventional BASF product. 

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