Wuppermann expands calculation model for CO2 footprint and certificate creation

Leverkusen, 21.07.2025 - Since 2023, Wuppermann has been offering its customers the opportunity to precisely calculate the carbon footprint of individual steel products and confirm it by means of a certificate. With the help of a calculation methodology verified by the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, CO2 emissions of the most important input materials hot strip and zinc, the galvanizing process itself, as well as transport and packaging are calculated. The CO2 emissions are calculated individually per item for each delivery. The result is sent to the customer in the form of a certificate.

This calculation model has now been expanded to include additional products, so that the individual CO2 footprint of a product can now be determined for almost the entire Wuppermann portfolio. The expansion of the calculation model was again reviewed and confirmed by the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT in 2025.

Following the extension, the calculation methodology now includes the following product groups:

WProtect: A high-performance film is additionally applied to the hot-dip coated steel strip with strip widths from 600 mm. This provides the steel core with even better protection against corrosion and offers reliable, long-term protection for the finished product.

WTopCor: At Wuppermann, WTopCor stands for high-performance corrosion protection made from a zinc-magnesium alloy with low CO2 emissions.

Tubes: Wuppermann's product portfolio in the area of tubes includes black and pickled tubes as well as tubes with zinc or zinc-magnesium coating with different cross-sections and diameters.

Profiles: Wuppermann produces pickled profiles as well as profiles with zinc or zinc-magnesium coating with different cross-sections.

Calculation and methodology

Wuppermann calculates the CO2 emissions for each customer invoice item individually, based on the quantity of steel strip supplied and taking into account the individual weight ratios of steel to zinc or zinc-magnesium and the WProtect film. The specific process emissions of the plants are taken into account. The emission factors of the primary material (hot-rolled strip) based on EPD (Environmental Product Declaration), PCF (Product Carbon Footprint) or comparable certificates from the manufacturers are also taken into account. If no specific emission factors are available, the EU average is used for the calculation. In addition, the emission factors for the means of transport (truck, train or ship) and transport distances of the primary material, including internal company transport, and to the customer are calculated individually.

Certificates

The certificates issued provide a transparent presentation of CO2 emissions and include the following information:

• Emissions per tonne (CFP)
• Reference emission of the conventional cold strip galvanizing process and the CO2 savings in comparison
• Total emissions of the products ordered
• Individual CFP of the ordered products

Low-CO2 product WTopCarb

The majority of the products are also available as a low CO2 product WTopCarb: At Wuppermann, WTopCarb stands for a galvanized hot-rolled strip with a physical reduction of the CO2 footprint to a value of less than 1 t CO2-eq. / t galvanized hot-rolled strip.