Written on: November 1, 2024 by Nicole Korb
In today’s business landscape, the collection and analysis of environmental data are gaining ever more importance. Companies are facing demanding sustainability regulations, while consumers are demanding greater transparency regarding the carbon footprint of the packaging they purchase. Tinplate steel manufacturer thyssenkrupp Rasselstein, based in Andernach, Germany, is addressing this need by sharing its expertise in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with its customers—packaging manufacturers.
LCA is a methodical approach used to evaluate the environmental impact (such as CO2eq.) of a product throughout its entire life cycle. By providing detailed emissions data, thyssenkrupp Rasselstein equips its customers with insight into the environmental performance of tinplate steel. Furthermore, we offer support to customers in calculating an LCA for their own products.
“We frequently encounter customers who are keen to understand the carbon footprint of their products and identify opportunities for CO2 savings within their production processes,” explained Dr. Linda Kerkhoff, Development Engineer, Materials, Applications, Technology Dept., thyssenkrupp Rasselstein GmbH.
“In tinplate production, we recognized early on the importance of evaluating the entire product life cycle, which is why LCA has become a core component of our sustainability strategy. LCA is now embedded in our product development process from the very beginning stages,” she added.
Conducting an LCA offers numerous advantages for companies. Rasselstein packaging steel has been verified and certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), a global certification body in business assurance. The certification helps ensure a reliable database and calculation methodology, facilitating transparent communication with end customers, enhancing competitiveness with other packaging materials and serving as a foundation for the LCA of customer’s products.
Overall, the LCA enhances transparency, offering valuable insights into production processes and their environmental impact, thereby enabling the development of more sustainable packaging solutions.
Analysis supported
Over the past three years, thyssenkrupp Rasselstein has significantly expanded its expertise in LCA. It has developed a comprehensive energy management system that provides the essential data foundation for conducting LCAs of tinplate production. Close collaboration with colleagues at the steelworks in Duisburg, Germany, from which the hot-rolled strip for the production of tinplate is sourced, has established an additional database.
“We have access to all relevant data sets, enabling us to calculate our product’s environmental impact with precision,” said Kerkhoff. This allows the packaging steel manufacturer to comprehensively represent the entire process in its LCA, from steel production at the Duisburg plant to the point when the tinplate leaves the Andernach facility en route to the customer.
In an LCA, emissions are categorized into three different scopes. Scope 1 covers all direct emissions generated on-site, including emissions from the combustion of natural gas. Scope 2 and Scope 3 are referred to as indirect emissions. Scope 2 encompasses emissions from the generation and procurement of electricity, natural gas and steam. Scope 3 includes emissions from the upstream value chain, such as the extraction and production of raw materials like tin, iron ore and steel/hot-rolled strip.
CO2 savings potential
The LCA conducted by thyssenkrupp Rasselstein revealed a total carbon footprint of 2.45 t CO2 eq./t of packaging steel. The majority of these emissions are attributed to the hot-rolled strip supplied by thyssenkrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg, classified as Scope 3 emissions.
Throughout the packaging steel production process, Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions are generated. At the Andernach site, Scope 1 and 2 emissions are being continuously reduced through ongoing energy efficiency initiatives, such as the construction of a more modern coating line and the implementation of innovative recuperators in the annealing lines.
Customers already have several ways to reduce the carbon footprint of aerosol and food cans.
“For instance, manufacturers can opt for tinplate made from CO2-reduced bluemint steel, which can directly cut their Scope 3 emissions from packaging steel by up to 62%,” noted Kerkhoff.
“Further CO2 reductions are achievable through the use of products such as rasselstein D&I Solid and rasselstein Solidflex, which allow for a reduction in material thickness,” she added.
To further assist customers, thyssenkrupp Rasselstein collaborates closely to examine their processes and products, offering to conduct a tailored LCA that identifies CO2 savings potential and optimization opportunities and provides guidance on how to best implement these improvements.
“We have an in-depth understanding of our customers’ needs and what packaging manufacturers truly value. Our goal is to partner with our customers to showcase tinplate steel as a viable and sustainable packaging material for the future,” concluded Kerkhoff. SPRAY
Nicole Korb: Communications & Market Development, thyssenkrupp Rasselstein GmbH
