Self-declared and internally reviewed. Calculated according to ISO 14067 methodology. Subject to future independent verification.
Carbon Footprint Assessment (Self-Declared)
- Raw Material:
- Derived from EAF steel slag, avoiding virgin mineral extraction.
- Eliminates CO₂ emissions associated with primary mining and processing.
- Production:
- Energy consumption: ~300 kWh per ton of PSA, monitored internally.
- Low-dust process with fresh air blower system minimizes additional energy use.
- Transport:
- a) Factory to port (100 km haulage, 20′ GP container)
- Transport by diesel truck.
- Estimated CO₂: ~27 kg CO₂ per ton of PSA
- b) Bulk shipping to discharge port
- Optimized shipping results in ~50 kg CO₂ per ton of PSA
- c) Local transport from discharge port to warehouse (5 km)
- 20′ GP container, 3-ton forklift unloading
- Truck transport: ~1.35 kg CO₂ per ton
- d) Forklift unloading (2 hours diesel): ~0.87 kg CO₂ per ton
- Total local handling and short-distance transport: ~2.22 kg CO₂ per ton PSA
- Efficient logistics reduce carbon impact during distribution.
- a) Factory to port (100 km haulage, 20′ GP container)
- Use / Reuse:
- PSA can be reused for multiple sandblasting cycles (typically 2–3).
- This reuse reduces the functional CO₂ associated with surface preparation by approximately 77 kg CO₂ per ton of PSA used for the typical 2–3 cycles.
- Additional reuse cycles (e.g., 4 cycles) have the potential to further increase CO₂ savings, depending on maintained performance, demonstrating PSA’s eco-friendly advantage.
- End-of-Life / Recovery:
- Fine dust is reused in Cement mixtures, Precast Products, and Road Repair Applications.
- Ultra-fine and contaminated dust captured via Wet Flushing Concept System and dispose according to local authority requirements.
- Negligible net CO₂ impact.
- Total Carbon Footprint
- Self-declared: ~87 kg CO₂-eq per ton of effective abrasive.
- Represents ~65–70% reduction compared with conventional virgin abrasives.
*PSA’s self-declared carbon footprint is ~116 kg CO₂-eq per ton, providing a ~65–70% reduction compared with conventional virgin abrasives, while its reusability for multiple sandblasting cycles lowers functional CO₂ emissions by about 77 kg per ton.
| Life-Cycle Stage | Description | CO₂-eq (kg per ton PSA) |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Material | Produced from EAF steel by-products, avoiding virgin mineral extraction | Included in base 87* |
| Production | Energy consumption ~300 kWh/ton; low-dust, energy-efficient process | Included in base 87* |
| Transport | a) Factory → Port (100 km haulage) | 27 |
| b) Bulk shipping to discharge port | Included in base 87* | |
| c) Local port → Warehouse (5 km + forklift unloading) | 2.22 | |
| Use / Reuse | Reusable for 2–4 sandblasting cycles; reduces functional CO₂ | ~77 (per ton used) |
| End-of-Life / Recovery | Fine dust reused in cement, precast, and road repair; Wet Flushing System captures ultra-fine dust | Negligible |
| Total Self-Declared Carbon Footprint | Includes production, transport, use, and end-of-life | ~116 |
| Reduction vs Conventional Virgin Abrasives | Compared with conventional virgin abrasives | ~65–70% |
- The Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Premier Sharpshot Abrasive® (PSA) demonstrates a Low-Carbon Footprint (LCF) throughout its life cycle. PSA is produced entirely from steelmaking by-products, eliminating the CO₂ emissions typically associated with virgin mineral extraction. Production energy is efficiently optimized at approximately 300 kWh per ton, and PSA’s extended reuse and recovery cycles further minimize emissions during operation, resulting in only +- 116 kg CO₂-eq per ton across its usable life.
- At the end-of-life stage, PSA contributes net 0 kg CO₂e, supported by its inert, stable mineral structure. Because PSA requires No energy, Chemical Treatment, or CO₂-Emitting Processes for disposal, and can be safely integrated into construction fill or allowed to naturally remain in the environment without degradation or emission, its final carbon impact is effectively zero.
- Overall, PSA’s life cycle — from zero-emission raw materials to low-energy production, multi-cycle reuse, and zero-impact end-of-life — confirms its position as a Genuinely Low-Carbon Abrasive. This aligns fully with global green movement principles, including circular economy practices, low-carbon industrial operations, and environmentally responsible material use. PSA reflects EKF’s ongoing commitment to Safe, Sustainable, Save, and High-Performance Industrial Solutions backed by verifiable technical data.
Carbon Footprint Summary – Premier Sharpshot Abrasive® (PSA)
The Life-Cycle Carbon Footprint of Premier Sharpshot Abrasive® (PSA), assessed in accordance with ISO 14067:2018, demonstrates a Low-Carbon profile across all stages of its life cycle, encompassing raw material sourcing, production, transportation, operational use, and end-of-life recovery. PSA is manufactured entirely from Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Steel by-products, thereby avoiding the CO₂ emissions typically associated with the extraction, processing, and transportation of virgin mineral resources. The production process has been optimized for energy efficiency, consuming approximately 300 kWh per ton of PSA, while incorporating low-dust handling and fresh air blower systems to minimize additional energy requirements and emissions during manufacturing.
In operational use, PSA can be reused across multiple sandblasting cycles (typically 2–4), which significantly reduces the functional carbon footprint per ton by displacing the need for equivalent amounts of conventional virgin abrasives. Transport and logistics have been carefully optimized: factory-to-port haulage (100 km), bulk shipping, and local handling at the discharge port have been quantified, contributing minimally to the overall CO₂-eq footprint. At end-of-life, fine PSA dust is recovered and reused in applications such as cement production, precast materials, and road repair, while ultra-fine dust is captured through the Wet Flushing Concept System, resulting in negligible net emissions.
Based on these considerations, the total Self-Declared Carbon Footprint of PSA is approximately 116 kg CO₂-eq per ton, representing a ~65–70% reduction in comparison with conventional virgin abrasives. This assessment highlights PSA’s sustainable material composition, energy-efficient production, functional reusability, and responsible end-of-life management, demonstrating its suitability as a low-carbon abrasive solution for industrial surface preparation applications in alignment with ISO 14067:2018 principles.
*Typical CO₂-eq range for virgin abrasives based on literature and industry averages.
