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Below are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

General Questions

What is PUReLCA?

PUReLCA® is an advanced software tool designed specifically for the European flexible polyurethane foam industry. It enables foam producers to conduct third-party verified Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) in an efficient, secure, user-friendly environment.

Who developed PUReLCA and why?

PUReLCA® was developed by Metsims Sustainability Consulting on behalf of EUROPUR, the European association of flexible polyurethane foam blocks producers. It was created to help foam manufacturers meet growing regulatory requirements and customer demands for transparent, product-specific environmental impact data. The tool enables companies to quantify and improve their sustainability performance in a cost-effective and reliable way.

Who can use PUReLCA?

PUReLCA® is designed primarily for flexible polyurethane foam producers (both slabstock and moulded foam manufacturers), sustainability managers, and other industry stakeholders looking to enhance their understanding of environmental impacts in PU foam production.

Is PUReLCA only for European polyurethane foam producers?

For the moment, yes, as it is developed specifically with European market conditions in mind. However, the ambition is to make it available globally in the future, subject to a contract with EUROPUR and confidentiality commitments.

What are the main benefits of using PUReLCA?

PUReLCA® offers multiple advantages for polyurethane foam producers:

Level-playing Field for Environmental Reporting: Consistent approach to scope, wastes, logistics, energy and ingredient data.
Accurate Carbon Footprint Measurement: Calculates the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) and environmental impact of specific formulations.
Regulatory Compliance: Helps companies meet upcoming European sustainability requirements, e.g. the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation.
Third-Party Verified Results: Ensures credibility and reliability of sustainability data for customers, regulators, and certification bodies.
Impact Simulation & Benchmarking: Allows foam producers to evaluate novel raw materials and compare formulations against industry averages.
Cost-Effective LCA Data Generation: Provides an affordable alternative to custom-built LCA studies, making sustainability reporting accessible and scalable.

Technical Questions

What is the difference between Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)?

These are all methodologies used to assess and communicate the environmental impact of products, but they differ in scope, purpose, and reporting frameworks. In simple terms, PCF focuses only on greenhouse gas emissions (measured as CO₂eq); cradle-to-gate LCA evaluates multiple environmental impacts (e.g., carbon footprint, water use, energy use, resource depletion) from raw material extraction to the product leaving the factory (does not consider end-of-life scenarios; and EPD is a standardized document that reports LCA results in a transparent and comparable manner for a product category – in this care flexible PU foam.

What data is required to perform a PCF of an LCA assessment using PUReLCA®?

Users need to provide specific input data, including:

Raw material composition (types and quantities used).
Transportation details (logistics related to raw materials delivery).
Production energy consumption (electricity, gas, other fuels).
Waste and emissions data (waste amounts and disposal methods, emissions released).

How does PUReLCA® calculate the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) of flexible PU foam?

PUReLCA® calculates the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies in line with recognised standards. The tool considers:

Raw materials used: The environmental impact of polyols, isocyanates, additives, and other substances & consumables used in PU foam production.
Transportation: The environmental impact of logistics method used to deliver raw materials to a manufacturing plant, including any ingredient packaging.
Production process: Energy consumption, emissions, and waste generated during manufacturing.

What impact categories can PUReLCA® assess?

PUReLCA® evaluates over 13 environmental impact categories, including, notably:

Global Warming Potential (GWP) – Carbon footprint
Energy Use – Fossil and renewable energy consumption
Water Consumption – Water use throughout the life cycle
Acidification Potential – Contribution to acid rain formation
Eutrophication Potential – Impact on water ecosystems
Ozone Depletion Potential – Effect on the ozone layer
Photochemical Ozone Formation – Smog-forming emissions

Can different raw materials and foam formulations be compared?

Yes, PUReLCA® allows foam producers to simulate the impact of different raw materials and compare formulations to identify more sustainable raw material options before launching a full-scale production. ‘Test’ foam formulations can be compared within the system, but also with the EUROPUR’s industry-wide eco-profile of flexible PU foam.

How accurate are the results provided by PUReLCA®?

PUReLCA® follows internationally recognized LCA standards to ensure credibility. Accuracy depends on the quality of data input by users (raw materials suppliers)—where more precise production and supply chain data yield more reliable results. PUReLCA® uses verified ingredient impact data from collaborating chemical manufacturers, supplemented by third-party verified datasets.

Is third-party verification included in the PUReLCA® process?

Yes, PUReLCA® will only require light verification because the software is pre-verified. For PCF/LCA calculations this will be done by the software developer (Metsims Sustainability Consulting).

How does PUReLCA® ensure data security and confidentiality?

PUReLCA® incorporates robust data protection measures, including:

Confidentiality agreements ensuring user data remains private.
Strict compliance with European GDPR and data security standards.
Secure cloud-based storage with encrypted multi-factor authentication (MFA).
User-defined access controls, allowing companies to decide how their results are shared.

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