Advancing its Green Metal Concept
May 21, 2024 -- Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (TSE: 5713) is pleased to announce that it has calculated the carbon footprint of products (CFP) of electrolytic copper produced at Toyo Smelter & Refinery, which is the amount of GHG emissions over the life cycle of a product, and received a thirdparty assurance for the calculation result.
Based on the calculation result, it is considering that the company will offer Green Copper, an electrolytic copper with CFP reduced more than 25% compared to its own current CFP (Scope1+Scope2+Scope3) using the mass balance approach which is already used for steel and aluminum.
In brief
Sumitomo Metal Mining says it calculated the life-cycle carbon footprint of electrolytic copper made at its Toyo Smelter & Refinery and received limited third-party assurance for the calculation and Chain of Custody validation. The company says the assessment used a cradle-to-gate inventory study and was based mainly on ISO 14067:2018 and Japanese government guidelines. Based on the results, Sumitomo Metal Mining is considering offering Green Copper, with a carbon footprint more than 25% below the company’s current footprint, using a mass balance approach. The company describes the work as part of its Green Metal concept and efforts to provide lower-carbon products across its supply chain.
Key takeaways
- Sumitomo Metal Mining calculated the carbon footprint of electrolytic copper produced at its Toyo Smelter & Refinery.
- DNV Business Assurance Japan provided limited assurance for the calculation results and Chain of Custody validation.
- The company is considering Green Copper with a footprint more than 25% below its current electrolytic copper footprint.
- The calculation used a cradle-to-gate study and followed ISO and Japanese government guidance.
The company calculated GHG emissions per kilogram of electrolytic copper produced at Toyo Smelter & Refinery based on a cradle to gate inventory study, in light of the situation that CFP is becoming more and more important in taking measures to go forward to carbon neutrality due to the growing needs of customers and supply chains. The calculation is mainly according to ISO 14067:2018 and Carbon Footprint Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment. It then obtained limited assurances of verification of the calculation results and validation of Chain of Custody from DNV Business Assurance Japan K.K., a third-party assurance organization.
Sumitomo Metal Mining is advancing its Green Metal concept for offering low-carbon products. Leveraging its strength to both undertake mine development and operation, and smelt and refine copper, the company goes forward to low-carbon economy throughout its supply chain.
Sumitomo Metal Mining will continue to strive to enhance its corporate value by promoting carbon neutrality and other initiatives to realize a sustainable society
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Questions around this news
What does the electrolytic copper carbon-footprint calculation cover?
The release describes the carbon footprint of product (CFP) as greenhouse-gas emissions over a product’s life cycle. For copper made at Toyo Smelter & Refinery, the company calculated emissions per kilogram using a cradle-to-gate inventory study, mainly following ISO 14067:2018 and Japanese government guidelines.
What is Green Copper, and how is it intended to differ from the company’s current copper?
The company says it is considering offering Green Copper, electrolytic copper whose CFP would be reduced by more than 25% compared with its own current CFP. The proposed reduction would account for Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions and use a mass balance approach.
What assurance did the copper-footprint calculation receive?
The release says DNV Business Assurance Japan K.K. provided limited assurance covering verification of the calculation results and validation of Chain of Custody. This is third-party assurance; the release does not describe it as an unqualified guarantee of the footprint or of future product performance.
How does a mass balance approach work?
A mass balance approach tracks the quantities of materials or sustainability attributes entering and leaving a supply chain or production process. When materials are mixed, certified attributes can be assigned to particular outputs under accounting rules, even if those outputs are not physically distinguishable from other material.
