The International Carbon Black Association (ICBA) announced the release of its first-ever industry-average Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) for carbon black produced using furnace technology. The milestone was unveiled at the Carbon Black World conference, held May 12–13, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Furnace carbon black is the predominant form of carbon black production, accounting for approximately 95% of the total volume manufactured by ICBA member companies. This technology is widely used in the global market due to its efficiency and scalability. The release of an average cradle-to-gate PCF for furnace carbon black marks a significant advancement in the ICBA’s commitment to supporting sustainability across the carbon black supply chain.

The cradle-to-gate PCF reflects the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the product from raw material extraction through to the factory gate, excluding the use and end-of-life phases. By providing an industry-wide average, the ICBA aims to establish a reliable, science-based reference point for downstream industries to use in their own PCF calculations and sustainability assessments.

The development of this average PCF is intended to promote greater transparency, consistency, and comparability in sustainability reporting. It will help manufacturers, customers, and stakeholders align more closely with international climate goals and corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies. Importantly, it also provides a foundational benchmark that downstream users can rely on to inform eco-design efforts, carbon accounting, and supply chain reporting.

In 2024, recognizing the critical role of standardized methodology in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the ICBA initiated a collaborative effort to develop a Product Category Rule (PCR) specific to carbon black. This PCR is designed to be process-agnostic, meaning it applies to all types of carbon black manufacturing technologies. The aim is to ensure that product-level LCA and PCF data are both credible and comparable across the industry, regardless of the specific production process used.

“ICBA’s initiative to standardize product carbon footprints and develop category rules marks a critical advancement in promoting transparency and consistency across the carbon black industry,” said Jennifer Chittick, president of the ICBA. “By establishing clear and reliable metrics, we empower stakeholders to better understand and reduce environmental impacts. I am proud to support this important work, which reflects our shared commitment to decarbonization and responsible industry practices. This effort sets a new benchmark as we collectively pursue a more sustainable future.”

The PCF and LCA data released by the ICBA have been independently verified by third-party reviewers in accordance with internationally recognized standards, including ISO 14044, ISO 14067, and ISO 14071. This verification ensures the data’s integrity and reliability.

Through this initiative, the ICBA continues to demonstrate its leadership in advancing environmental stewardship and enabling informed, science-based decisions across the carbon black value chain.