ZF Friedrichshafen AG
How ZF Friedrichshafen and DFGE build PCF Capabilities across the…
How a Product Carbon Footprint supports your Climate Strategy
Product Carbon Footprint
The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) measures the greenhouse gas emissions of a single product throughout its entire life cycle—from raw material extraction through production and distribution to use and disposal. It thus serves as the foundation for credible climate communication at the product level.
There is still no general legal requirement to calculate PCFs. Nevertheless, they have long been a decisive factor in securing contracts: customers are increasingly requesting them in tenders, industry standards such as Catena-X (automotive) or the TfS PCF Guideline (chemicals) require them, and life-cycle analyses are also an integral part of sustainability strategies for legally compliant implementation of the EU Taxonomy.
We take the complexity off your hands. Using our top-down method, we identify the relevant emission sources along the value chain, systematically close data gaps, and quickly deliver a robust, audit-ready Product Carbon Footprint. Scientifically sound and proven for over 25 years.
- Data Sheet: DFGE Solutions at a glance
- Blogpost: Carbon Footprint for businesses – simply explained
- DFGE Top-Down Method
- DFGE PCF Engine (request software information)
- Case Studies
Your Path to the Product Carbon Footprint
Here’s how we work with you
Regardless of the service selected, a PCF project at DFGE follows a clear, transparent process:
Step 1: Kick-off & Analysis
Joint project kickoff, definition of system boundaries (cradle-to-gate or cradle-to-grave), and clarification of the product to be analyzed.
Step 2: Data Collection
Establishing the data collection structure and consolidating material, process, and supply chain data.
Step 3: Calculation
Assigning emission factors and filling data gaps using our top-down approach.
Step 4: Validation
Validation of the results, followed by a critical review.
Step 5: Results & Report
Presentation of the results and submission of the final report.
Product Carbon Footprint Services
From Data Collection to Verification – Our Services
- We handle the entire PCF calculation for you
- Organizing data collection and filling in data gaps
- Detailed documentation, including a management report
- Data Collection and Calculation using Our EcoZoom PCF Engine
- Efficient Data Collection and Calculation
- Reports and analyses can be exported directly from the tool
- Full access to the EcoZoom PCF Engine—calculations performed by your own team
- Flexible guidance on data gaps, methodology, and the selection of emission factors
- Detailed data exports and reports available directly within the tool
- Workshops and training sessions for building internal expertise (including for your suppliers)
- Support with switching PCF engines or addressing specific issues
- Validation according to the GHG Protocol and ISO 14067
Add-On Module
- If you need occasional sparring partners
- Book our experts by the hour – for questions, workshops, or feedback on your calculations.
- We review your product data for gaps, consistency, and usability – so your PCF is based on reliable figures.
- Support for the transition from secondary data to product-specific primary data.
DFGE PCF Engine - EcoZoom
Your Cloud Software for Product Carbon Footprint
The EcoZoom PCF Engine is our cloud-based software that enables you to systematically capture, calculate, and document the product carbon footprint of your products—in a scientifically sound, standards-compliant, and fully digital manner. We are continuously developing EcoZoom in collaboration with our partner natureOffice, integrating the software with our PCF methodology, which is based on over 25 years of experience.
- Structured Data Collection: Materials, processes, and supply chain data are consolidated into a single application—entered manually, imported via Excel, or added incrementally.
- Compliant with standards: Calculations are based on the GHG Protocol Product Standard and ISO 14067, using recognized emission factor databases such as ecoinvent and emissionDB.
- Track multiple products: Manage, compare, and analyze as many products as you like simultaneously.
- Scenarios & Comparisons: Simulate alternative materials or processes and compare the results directly.
- Ready to Share: Each product comes with a concise key fact sheet—ready for customers, RFPs, and reports.
- Quick Start: No in-depth PCF expertise is required to begin data collection.
Software and Methodology from a Single Source
Unlike pure software providers, we don’t just deliver EcoZoom on its own – we provide it alongside our methodology, our top-down approach to data gaps, and the experience we’ve gained from over 25 years of PCF practice. You decide for yourself how much you’ll handle on your own and where you’d like our support.
References
Successful PCF Customer Projects
Huf Group
Climate Strategy in focus incl. CCF, PCF, SBT Customer: Huf…
Faravelli GmbH
Sustainability as a success factor: Faravelli GmbH optimizes the Product…
Peter Greven
Comparative Product Carbon Footprint in the chemical industry Customer: Peter…
Lansinoh Laboratories Inc.
Lansinoh on the route to carbon neutrality Customer: Lansinoh Category:…
Your Advantages
Why you should turn to DFGE when calculating your Product Carbon Footprint
For the Management
- Over 25 years of experience in carbon footprint calculation
- Presentation of results tailored to C-level executives
- Significant relief for your internal resources
For the Highest Quality
- Compliant with ISO 14067, the GHG Protocol Product Standard, and PAS 2050:2008
- Comprehensive consideration of the product life cycle—cradle-to-gate or cradle-to-grave
- Aligns with industry-specific requirements such as Catena-X or the TfS PCF Guideline
- Scientifically sound
For your Sustainability Management
- Reliable product data for customers, tenders, and sustainability reports
- Alignment with your overall ESG strategy through DFGE Sustainability Intelligence
- Link to Corporate Carbon Footprint, Climate Strategy, SBTi, CDP, EcoVadis, and Supply Chain Engagement
FAQ | Product Carbon Footprint & further Information
1. What is a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)?
The total of all CO₂ and greenhouse gas emissions (in CO₂ equivalents) generated by a product or service over its entire life cycle—from raw material extraction to disposal. The PCF makes it possible to measure and compare the climate impact of individual products.
2. What distinguishes the PCF from the Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF)?
While the CCF reflects the emissions of an entire company, the PCF examines a single product throughout its life cycle. Both approaches follow similar basic principles but differ in terms of system boundaries, methodology, and purpose.
3. What does “cradle-to-gate” mean compared to “cradle-to-grave”?
Cradle-to-Gate considers emissions from raw material extraction to the factory gate—that is, up to the completion of the product. Cradle-to-Grave expands this analysis to include distribution, the use phase, and end-of-life, thereby covering the entire life cycle.
4. Which life cycle phases are considered in a PCF?
Material procurement and upstream transportation, production, distribution, and storage, as well as—depending on the system boundary—use and end-of-life treatment.
5. What relevant norms and standards apply to the PCF?
- ISO 14067
- PAS 2050:2008
- Greenhouse Gas Protocol – Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard
- Industry-specific, e.g., the Catena-X PCF Rulebook or the TfS PCF Guideline
