Product Carbon Footprint for Catena-X
PCF calculation and documentation for automotive suppliers preparing product carbon footprint data for the Catena-X ecosystem.
PCF-X supports automotive manufacturers and suppliers in calculating cradle-to-gate Product Carbon Footprints and preparing the underlying product data in accordance with the Catena-X PCF methodology.
Catena-X PCF Rulebook · Primary Data · Automotive Supply Chain
PCF Data for the Automotive Value Chain
From supplier data to a product-level carbon footprint
Catena-X enables companies across the automotive value chain to exchange standardized product-related data, including Product Carbon Footprint information.
For suppliers, this can create a practical challenge: the requested PCF must be supported by appropriate product data, clearly defined system boundaries and a consistent calculation methodology.
PCF-X supports manufacturers and suppliers in structuring the necessary information and developing a documented PCF for the product concerned.
When a Customer Requests Catena-X PCF Data
A request may originate from an OEM, Tier 1 customer or another participant in the automotive supply chain.
The first step is to understand exactly what has been requested.
PCF-X can review the customer's PCF requirements and help determine:
- the product or component to be assessed
- the required calculation scope
- the necessary primary data
- available supplier-specific data
- appropriate secondary datasets
- applicable allocation rules
- relevant manufacturing and energy data
- transportation data where applicable
- required PCF documentation and output
Catena-X PCF Methodology
Catena-X PCF methodology builds on established Product Carbon Footprint and life cycle assessment principles while defining harmonized rules for calculating and exchanging PCF data across the automotive value chain.
For automotive products and components, the assessment follows a cradle-to-gate approach and addresses relevant aspects including: Product definition · System boundaries · Primary data · Secondary data · Data quality · Allocation · Energy and manufacturing data · Logistics and transportation · Waste and recycling · Product-specific GHG emissions · PCF documentation.
The resulting Product Carbon Footprint is expressed as a product-specific GHG result in CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) and is supported by documented data, assumptions and methodological choices.
Primary Data Matters
Moving from generic estimates towards product-specific information
One of the important objectives of supply-chain PCF exchange is to progressively improve the use of data representing the actual product and its manufacturing processes.
PCF-X helps identify and structure relevant information from:
Materials and purchased components
Supplier information, material quantities, recycled content and available upstream PCF data.
Manufacturing processes
Electricity, fuels, production processes, consumables, losses and other relevant operational data.
Energy
Site-specific energy consumption and appropriate electricity-related information.
Transport
Relevant supply-chain transport data where included within the required scope.
Product information
Mass, composition, production volumes and other parameters necessary for the calculation.
PCF Calculation and Documentation
PCF-X can support the complete calculation process, from the initial customer request to the documented PCF result.
Depending on the project scope, our work can include:
- Review of the customer's Catena-X PCF request
- Definition of the assessed product and calculation boundaries
- Preparation of the data collection structure
- Review and validation of available activity data
- Life cycle inventory modelling
- Selection and documentation of emission factors and datasets
- Product Carbon Footprint calculation
- Documentation of assumptions and data gaps
- Preparation of PCF calculation documentation
- Support in responding to technical questions from the customer
Catena-X and ISO 14067
Related methodologies, different purposes
ISO 14067 provides internationally recognized principles and requirements for quantifying and reporting the carbon footprint of a product.
Catena-X addresses the exchange of PCF information within the automotive value chain and introduces additional methodological and data-exchange considerations for this environment.
For automotive suppliers, the two therefore should not be treated as competing approaches. Catena-X PCF methodology builds on established Product Carbon Footprint and life cycle assessment principles while defining harmonized rules for calculating and exchanging PCF data across the automotive value chain.
Explore ISO 14067 →
Explore Automotive PCF →
Has Your Customer Requested a Catena-X PCF?
Send us the request, specification, questionnaire or PCF template you have received.
We can review the requirements, identify the data needed and determine the appropriate approach for calculating and documenting your product carbon footprint.