Peter Greven

Challenge

The product range of Peter Greven GmbH & Co. KG mainly comprises oleochemical products based on renewable raw materials, especially animal and vegetable fats. As one of the leading German manufacturers in this area, Peter Greven claims to be one of the leading companies in sustainability. In addition to comply with international standards such as ISO 14001, this particularly includes the use of certified palm oil.

Solution

After an initial meeting involving the relevant business units, the DFGE experts first calculated the company’s emissions balance; this serves as a basis for the calculation of product emission balances. In accordance with the requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, but also in close consultation with Peter Greven, methodical specifications for the Product Carbon Footprints were then made, for example with regard to balance sheet limits and allocation method.

The considered products, two metal soaps, are used in a large number of industrial processes. Therefore, the “cradle-to-gate” approach has been chosen: here, all emissions from raw material production, transport and production are included in the calculation but not the emissions arising from the use of the product or its disposal.

Result

The calculation and breakdown of the Carbon Footprint for the products allows Peter Greven to prioritize measures to improve the product emissions balance. The integrated scenario analysis opens up and clarifies further options for action, for example regarding the choice between animal and vegetable fats; the simultaneously calculated Corporate Carbon Footprint provides an additional perspective that puts the emissions balance of the products in their context.

By calculating the emissions balances, Peter Greven also demonstrates its claim to lead the way in sustainability. Both Product and Corporate Carbon Footprint can be used for public relations and to meet customer requests.