Overview

Chemical Recycling Europe (CRE), representing the chemical recycling industry, partnered with Sphera Sustainability Consulting to address the diverse approaches to life cycle assessments (LCA) within the association. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in the chemical sector, Sphera’s experts facilitated the development of a tailored LCA guideline aligned with industry needs and existing standards.

Through in-depth workshops and collaborative alignment, this initiative enabled CRE to harmonize methodologies, ensuring consistent and credible environmental performance evaluations across innovative recycling technologies. The result is a robust, stakeholder-accepted framework that supports better decision-making, enhances transparency and drives sustainability within the chemical recycling industry.

IN THIS CASE STUDY
HIGHLIGHTS

Comprehensive workshops addressing LCA methodologies.

Development of an industry-specific LCA guideline.

Alignment achieved through collaboration and expert insights.

Harmonization ensures consistency in assessing the environmental impacts of chemical recycling technologies.

Challenges

1

Fragmented LCA approaches across CRE member companies.

2

Public scrutiny over environmental claims of new recycling technologies.

3

Need for credible and harmonized standards for evaluations of environmental impacts.

4

Variability in comparative studies between linear and circular systems.

Solution

CRE recognized the need for a unified approach to address inconsistencies in LCA practices within the chemical recycling industry. Sphera responded with a series of in-depth workshops led by its sustainability consulting experts, focusing on LCA methodologies. Drawing on insights from years of LCA projects with chemical companies, Sphera guided CRE through the alignment process, fostering consensus among its members.

These collaborative efforts culminated in the creation of a detailed guideline document tailored to the unique requirements of chemical recycling technologies. Input from industry stakeholders and a public consultation process ensured broad acceptance and transparency. The guideline now provides a clear framework for consistent LCA practices, enabling CRE to effectively compare the environmental impacts of closed-loop and linear recycling technologies and substantiate claims with confidence.

Results

CRE’s collaboration with Sphera resulted in a comprehensive LCA guideline that harmonizes methodologies across the association. Developed in close partnership with industry stakeholders, the guideline enables consistent analysis and reporting of the environmental impacts of novel technologies, promoting transparency and credibility. CRE’s members now have access to a unified approach for evaluating recycling technologies against established LCA standards, positioning the industry to better achieve sustainability objectives and meet regulatory expectations.

“Sphera combines leading expertise in LCA, involvement in standard setting activities and hands on experience in conducting LCAs of chemical recycling. Sphera supported us in getting the association engaged on the topic of LCA through in-depth workshops and is now our partner to support our industry standard setting ambition through the development of a guideline for LCA of chemical recycling.”

— Lilla Mezriczky, Secretary General, Chemical Recycling Europe

What made this happen?

Sphera’s 30+ years of expertise in LCA consulting, combined with its engagement with leading chemical companies and industry associations, provided the foundation for this success. This blend of experience, paired with advanced LCA software and industry-leading LCA data, enabled CRE to achieve a critical milestone in its sustainability efforts.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Consulting Services

Prove the environmental claims of your products with LCA and PCF calculations supported by the world’s leading LCA experts. Sphera’s LCA consultants can carry out life cycle assessment or carbon footprint studies for your products or enable your company to perform LCAs and PCFs on its own. Learn more

About Chemical Recycling Europe (CRE)

Founded in: 2019

Recycling Industry

Brussels, Belgium
20 member companies
CASE STUDIES

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