For a future worth living - Launch of the CERATIZIT PCF

CERATIZIT presented the first PCF values for carbide products at EMO 2023 in Hanover. But what does this value actually measure? And why is this a milestone for CERATIZIT and even for the entire industry? We asked around at our trade fair stand.

It was a complete success: the public presentation of the first Product Carbon Footprint for carbide products at the EMO impressed journalists, employees and customers.  For board member Thierry Wolter, the PCF we designed is even a "sexy subject". Why? He is the father of three children and wants "them to live in a good world." In view of human-made climate change , it is clear that this is only possible if CO2 emissions are reduced.  

The first step on this path is the calculation. In other words: only by knowing the exact amount of emissions can improvements be made. The so-called product carbon footprint provides transparent information on the specific greenhouse gas emissions that occur. 

CERATIZIT uses internationally recognised standards such as ISO 14067:2018 to determine the PCF value of carbide products. In concrete terms, the PCF determined by CERATIZIT refers to the carbon footprint from the beginning of the life cycle phase, so from raw material extraction (cradle) to the factory gate. All emissions generated are taken into account. The PCF is then calculated from the CO2 footprints of the raw materials plus the CO2 footprints of the production processes involved. To ensure that the values shown are correct, the calculation model was verified externally by denkstatt, a member of Inogen - Environmental Alliance.

According to Uwe Schleinkofer, the reporting of emissions for hard metal products is "unique" in the industry. Like many of his colleagues, he is happy that we are the driving force and are showing the industry what is possible with recycling and alternative energy.

We have summarised more about the PCF in a white paper.

Although many companies are working intensively on the question of how they can reduce their emissions, carbide cutting tools have not been the focus of attention until now. This is now changing with the publication of PCF values. For the first time, they allow customers to assess the C02 footprint of a tool and calculate the total emissions of a company. A milestone for the industry and customers. Also because the PCF values form the basis for comparing products from different manufacturers in terms of their sustainability. They are therefore an effective tool for finding the right measures more quickly to maximise the impact of reducing CO2 emissions. Ultimately, by presenting the PCF values, we support our customers' efforts to act more responsibly.

Many employees on the stand, at the fair, are delighted that we were the first to calculate the PCF for their carbide products. But our goals go beyond our own success: they hope that the PCF will become the industry standard. Because only through clear standards for measurement and calculation can we ensure that our industry thinks and acts in a more environmentally conscious way. This is why CERATIZIT offers other companies the use of the classification we have developed free of charge. The only condition: The same calculation method must be used to ensure comparability of the results. 

The message is getting through. From the positive feedback discussions with competitors and customers, Brian Lorenzen is certain that "we have taken the right path".  This is not only very important to him personally. For the other colleagues too, CERATIZIT's mission and vision are in line with their personal mission to create an emissions-reduced future.

In the following video we have compiled some statements after the PCF launch. The speakers are Thierry Wolter, Member of the CERATIZIT Executive Board, Uwe Schleinkofer, Head of Corporate Research; Andreas Kordwig, Director Global Product Management; Brian Lorenzen, International Marketing Projects; Steffen Baur, Head of Product Management; Daniel Wehle, Head of Marketing Cutting Tool Solutions & Global Marketing Services.