In 2024 Ferroli launched a project aimed to calculate the carbon footprint of a product. ISO 14067 sets up an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) approach to explore the carbon footprint of a product. For this purpose, the standard requires the definition of a functional unit that allows comparability with other similar studies, and the subdivision of emission sources into three macro-categories: upstream, core and downstream. The identification of a functional unit helps to quantify the performance of a system product to be used as the unit of reference for the LCA. Furthermore, the complete analysis of the life cycle of a product is call “cradle to grave” analysis, but partial analysis is also possible. Those are identified as “cradle-to-gate” or “gate-to-gate” analysis. As first study, a cradle-to-gate approach was chosen, neglecting the downstream macro-phase.

For the first step of the project, we chose a product among Ferroli’s, the Bluehelix Hitech RRT 28C, the most important product in our catalogue. We started a literature analysis to find any suitable PCR (Product Category Rule) to define our functional unit. Below you can see the project’s main features:Name of the product: BLUEHELIX HITECH RRT 28C

Functional Unit: One single boiler

Reference Year for data collection: 2023 and 2024

Reference PCR (Product Category Rule): PCR 2021:02 Air-Conditioning Machines

Approach: Cradle-to-gate

Upstream Processes considered: Extraction and production of raw material for all main parts and components, Production of electricity and fuels used in the upstream module, Production of auxiliary products, manufacturing of primary and secondary packaging.

Core Processes considered: External transportation to the core processes, manufacturing process for main parts and components, waste treatment of waste generated during manufacturing, production of electricity and fuels used in the core module

Exclusions: Downstream processes (due to the cradle-to-gate approach), business travel of personnel, commuting of personnel, research and development activities, manufacturing of production equipment, buildings and other capital goods, transportation to the final user.The data collection was made according to ISO 14067 (LCI Life Cycle Inventory) with reference to the declared functional unit. To every material and packaging we analyzed the type of materials, weight, name of the supplier and location of the supplier; we also took into consideration the amount of water, electricity and natural gas required for the process, calculating then the waste generated through the type of waste (CER code), amount, weight and destination.

For results calculation we used Simapro software, a professional tool to collect, analyze and monitor the environmental performance of products and services. From Simapro it is possible to analyze the single life cycle of each component which is parte of our Bluehelix RRT 28C. We discover that the making of 1 Bluehelix produces 235 kgCO2e. In particular, 86% of total emissions are due to alloys, burners and components such as sensors, pumps, expansion vessels.

Choosing a “cradle to gate” approach, we neglected the downstream phase, discover that upstream emission contributes to 94% of product’s emissions, due to the purchasing of components.

In 2025 we will search for information related to % of recycled materials of components we buy from suppliers and will start the downstream phase of the projects. We will identify items that produces more emissions, to start an analysis about their emissions’ reduction and a specific study of energy efficiency in wall-hung boiler production. Our goal is to update the Product Carbon Footprint in 2026 following the implementation of improvements actions and obtain ISO 14067 certification for our Bluehelix RRT 28C.