Choosing bio-based instead of fossil-based chemicals can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of chemical products. But not all bio-based raw materials deliver the same climate benefits.
Two chemically identical products can have very different Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs). Understanding why makes it possible to make more informed sourcing decisions and unlock additional climate benefits.
“Many people are surprised to learn that two chemically identical products can have very different Product Carbon Footprints,” says Sofia Winternell, Head of Procurement & Supply Chain at Sekab.
“The difference is created long before the raw material reaches Sekab. The feedstock itself, cultivation methods, processing, transport and the energy used throughout the value chain all influence the final carbon footprint.”
The same molecule, different climate impact
Bioethanol can be produced from different renewable feedstocks, such as sugar cane or corn. Although the resulting ethanol is chemically identical, the climate impact can vary depending on how the feedstock was cultivated, processed and transported before it reaches Sekab.
This means that two chemically identical bio-based products can have very different Product Carbon Footprints.
At Sekab, all of our bio-based products are produced from renewable bioethanol and have verified Product Carbon Footprints that are significantly lower than fossil-based alternatives.
As more companies measure and report their Scope 3 emissions and set ambitious climate targets, recognizing these differences creates an opportunity to further reduce the climate impact of products and make more informed sourcing decisions.
The molecule may be identical, but the journey behind it is not.
Choosing the right feedstock
For Sekab, sourcing bioethanol is about much more than securing supply.
The goal is to identify suppliers that combine the right quality with a strong sustainability profile, transparent documentation and full traceability throughout the value chain. Every sourcing decision has the potential to improve the sustainability performance of the final product.
“The sustainability profile of the raw material is a key factor in our sourcing decisions,” says Sofia.
“Alongside quality and price, we also evaluate environmental performance, transparency and the supplier’s ability to provide reliable sustainability data.”
Before approving a supplier, Sekab carries out a comprehensive supplier qualification process. Suppliers are evaluated based on product quality, long-term reliability and a broad sustainability assessment covering environmental performance, health and safety, human rights, social responsibility, ethical business practices and supply chain governance. Continuous evaluations and supplier audits help ensure these standards are maintained over time.
Why traceability matters
To understand the climate impact of a product, it is essential to look beyond the final molecule and consider the journey of the raw material.
Traceability allows Sekab to verify where the bioethanol comes from, how it was produced and which factors influence its Product Carbon Footprint. This information provides the basis for calculations made according to ISO 14067 that gives verified sustainability data and helps customers make informed decisions.
“Customers increasingly want to know where raw materials come from and how they influence the climate impact of the final product,” says Sofia.
“Being able to provide verified sustainability data and transparency throughout the value chain is becoming just as important as delivering the product itself.”
Going one step further
Replacing fossil-based raw materials with bio-based alternatives is an important step towards reducing climate impact. Recognizing the differences between bio-based feedstocks is the next step towards improving the sustainability performance of products.
By carefully selecting feedstocks with strong sustainability performance, verified data and full traceability, companies can further reduce the Product Carbon Footprint of their products.
For Sekab, sourcing is therefore about much more than purchasing raw materials. It is about enabling customers to make better-informed choices and maximize the climate benefits of their transition to fossil-free chemicals.