Harmonized PCFs for lubricants require good data and a solid methodological foundation

Start with reliable raw-material data, apply the UEIL/ATIEL methodology, and scale PCFs across your lubricant portfolio with expert support.

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WHY NOW?

Meet growing customer expectations and prepare your business for future market requirements.

Respond to growing customer requests

Customers increasingly ask suppliers for Product Carbon Footprints. Consistent and credible PCFs help you provide the information they need and support strong, long-term customer relationships.

Prepare for future requirements

Lubricants are not currently a priority under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), but their relevance is expected to be reassessed by 2030. Establishing a robust data and methodology foundation now helps you prepare early and reduce future implementation risk.

Demonstrate the benefits of better-performing lubricants

The environmental value of a lubricant can extend beyond its own footprint. Lower friction, longer service life or fewer lubricant changes can reduce emissions during use. Product Carbon Handprints help quantify these benefits and provide evidence of improved product performance.

Industry Key Challenges

Turning harmonization into practice

Comparable PCFs require more than following the same methodology. Companies also need the right raw-material data, clear methodological decisions and a consistent setup that works across their portfolio.

01

Build the right in-house setup

Companies start with different levels of LCA and PCF expertise. The challenge is establishing a practical framework that fits existing capabilities while producing consistent results.

02

Get the right data for every raw material

Reliable PCFs depend on suitable data across the full formulation. This is especially challenging where raw-material information is incomplete or representative datasets are not available.

03

Turn the right data into a competitive advantage

Reliable PCFs are only the starting point. The challenge is using the results to demonstrate how better-performing lubricants create measurable value for customers.

How we can help

Choose the support that your lubricant portfolio needs

Option 01

cm.chemicals

Find the right data for your lubricant raw materials

Access consistent PCF and LCA data for 1,700+ chemicals, including relevant datasets for base oils and additives. The data is based on a third-party-certified methodology aligned with UEIL/ATIEL and other relevant standards and guidelines. For grease applications, our database already covers around 90% of the most commonly used thickeners.

Your outcome

A consistent data foundation for credible PCF and LCA calculations across your lubricant portfolio.

Option 02

Custom PCF & LCA Dataset Modeling

Close critical gaps in your lubricant formulations.

Our Carbon Minds Database covers 1,700+ chemicals and plastics. If a lubricant-specific raw material is missing, we model the required PCF or LCA dataset in line with relevant standards, including the UEIL/ATIEL methodology.

Your outcome

Higher-quality, consistent data for your specific gaps, with less reliance on proxy data.

Option 03

PCF & LCA Studies

Get credible results for individual products or complete lubricant portfolios

Define the goal and scope of your study with our LCA experts. We combine your primary data with data from the Carbon Minds Database to conduct an ISO-compliant PCF or LCA study.

Your outcome

Reliable, well-documented PCF and LCA results for your lubricant products.

Option 04

LCA & PCF Training

Build practical LCA and PCF expertise in your team

Learn the fundamentals of LCA and PCF for chemical value chains, including relevant ISO standards and the UEIL/ATIEL methodology for lubricant PCFs. Join one of our scheduled courses or bring the training in-house for your team.

Your outcome

The knowledge and practical skills to understand, evaluate and start working with LCA and PCF studies in your organisation.

Option 05

Methodology Development & Certification

Build a consistent PCF methodology for your lubricant portfolio

Develop or update a calculation methodology that fits your organization and aligns with relevant standards and lubricant-specific guidance, including UEIL/ATIEL. We support you from methodology development through implementation and, if required, third-party certification.

Your outcome

A consistent, implementation-ready methodology for reliable PCF calculations across your lubricant portfolio.

Option 06

Product Carbon Handprint Calculations

Quantify the benefits of better-performing lubricants

Assess how improved lubricant performance can reduce emissions during use compared with a defined reference case — for example through lower friction, longer service life or fewer lubricant changes. Our team already brings practical experience in Product Carbon Handprint assessments for lubricant applications.

Your outcome

Evidence-based results that help demonstrate the environmental value your lubricant can create for customers.

Success story

Master Fluid Solutions, a leading manufacturer of metalworking fluids, aims to assess its entire European product portfolio cradle-to-gate by the end of 2026. To get there, the company applies a company-wide PCF methodology aligned with ISO 14067:2018 and the UEIL/ATIEL PCF guidelines for lubricants and specialty products.

 

Together, we calculated the PCFs for the first six products and closed the remaining supplier data gaps by combining Master Fluid’s primary data with Carbon Minds secondary data and Scope 3.1 emission factor mapping. The next phase will semi-automate the calculations across the portfolio.

Together with Carbon Minds, we applied the methodology, launched a pilot, and built the foundation for calculating PCFs across our European product portfolio quickly, consistently, and reliably at scale.

Dr. Christine Fuchs,
R&D Manager Europe
Master Fluid Solutions

YOUR Lubricants Expert

Oskar Vögler

Director of Industry Solutions

Oskar Vögler leads industry solutions at Carbon Minds and brings deep expertise in LCA and Product Carbon Footprints for the lubricants industry. As part of Carbon Minds, he contributed to the development of the UEIL/ATIEL methodology for calculating Product Carbon Footprints for lubricants and other specialities.

His experience also includes Product Carbon Handprint assessments for lubricant applications, helping companies evaluate how improved lubricant performance can create measurable environmental value during use.

His work in the lubricants industry also extends beyond individual projects: Oskar regularly shares his expertise at industry conferences including STLE, F+L and NextLube.

 

lubricants knowledge hub

Learn more about PCFs, data gaps and portfolio calculations

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PCF Calculation for Your Lubricants and Grease Portfolio

Define Your Next Steps to Calculate the PCFs for Your Portfolio

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Certified PCFs for Your Entire Product Portfolio

A Fully Managed Service with Minimal Internal Effort

Methodolodgy

UEIL/ATIEL Methodology for Lubricants and Other Specialties

Explore the industry methodology for calculating Product Carbon Footprints of lubricants and other specialties and understand the methodological basis for comparable results.

Find the right starting point for your lubricant portfolio

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