Latest Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Values for KURARAY POVAL™

Kuraray has conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for its KURARAY POVAL™. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) products manufactured in Frankfurt, Germany. Using the cradle-to-gate approach, the assessment shows that the “total climate change” value for 1 kg of KURARAY POVAL™ is 2.54 kg CO₂ equivalent for 2025.

In addition, Kuraray has also evaluated the impact of integrating bio-ethylene into its production process. Based on the same cradle-to-gate methodology, the “total climate change” value for 1 kg of KURARAY POVAL™ ECO is now 1.76 kg CO₂ equivalent. This result is based on the utilization of bio-ethylene through the ISCC PLUS-certified mass balance approach and applies to the KURARAY POVAL™ ECO grades portfolio.

The updated PCF values provide customers with information regarding the carbon footprint of KURARAY POVAL™ products and support informed decision-making for sustainability initiatives.

This updated figure also shows our commitment to transparency and continuous improvement in reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Calculation Conditions:

• Reference Standards/Guidelines: ISO14040, ISO14044, ISO14067
• Reference period: 2025
• System boundary: Scope1, Scope2 and Scope3 Category1,3,4,5 (Cradle to Gate)
• Calculation software: LCA for Experts (GaBi) (provided by Sphera Solutions GmbH）
• Database: Managed LCA Content (MLC) ver. 2026.1 (provided by Sphera Solutions GmbH）
• Impact Assessment Methodology: IPCC AR6 GWP 100
• Verification method: Internal verification by responsible department of LCA
   

Notes:
a.     Applied the cut-off rule for some minor raw materials within the range of 2% or less of the total input weight to the process subject to the calculation.
b.     Mass allocation of all GHG emissions of the plant was applied to the main product and a co-product.
c.     The data provided before July 31, 2026, was calculated using a different version of the database. We have confirmed that the differences in PCF values from the previous year are more significantly influenced by the database updates than by our production conditions.

Disclaimer
Above PCF calculation value are based on the amount of activity and Green House Gas (GHG) emission factor information available at the time of calculation. These are not guaranteed values. The PCF calculation values are subject to revision in a timely manner due to improvements or changes in manufacturing processes, updates to GHG emission factors, and revisions to related laws, regulations, guidelines, or the issuance of new regulations. It does not allow for comparisons with the PCF of other companies' products.