Measuring impact to guide meaningful progress
2024 SIGN OF PROGRESS
Since its launch, the SEAM Carbon Footprint Project has aimed to provide abrasive manufacturers with a consistent method for assessing their greenhouse gas emissions, laying the foundation for long-term reduction strategies.
In 2024, the project reached a significant milestone: the second consecutive year of consolidated reporting from 15 participating companies.
Reported emissions:
- 2023: 156,000 tonnes of CO₂ on average
(74.5 kT Scope 1 + 81.5 kT Scope 2) - 2024: 143,900 tonnes of CO₂ on average
(66.5 kT Scope 1 + 77.4 kT Scope 2)
This represents an estimated 8% decrease in average emissions over one year. While further analysis is needed to fully understand the underlying drivers, the decrease may coincide with a period of continued engagement across the industry – through energy efficiency initiatives, responsible sourcing practices, and planning at company level.
Continued monitoring and structured reporting will remain essential to confirming this trend and identifying the most effective levers for future action.
2025 Objective
Building knowledge on Scope 3
While Scope 1 and 2 emissions are increasingly well covered, they represent only part of the total carbon footprint of abrasive products. Scope 3 emissions – linked to raw materials, transportation, and product end-of-life – can account for a significant share of a product’s overall impact.
To address this complex challenge, the SEAM label is introducing:
- A dedicated module for Scope 3.1 (emissions linked to raw materials) within the carbon calculation tool
- A technical and methodological roadmap developed in coordination with member companies
The aim is clear: to define a sector-wide action plan by the end of 2025, identifying the most relevant reduction levers across the full value chain, based on realistic parameters.
Why a gradual approach? Because long-term engagement depends on it. Addressing Scope 3 emissions means rethinking procurement practices and supplier relationships in depth. It’s a systemic shift — one that requires the right tools, sustained learning… and above all, time.
SEAM + FEPA
Structuring the Transition
At the European level, FEPA’s Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) initiative complements the SEAM Carbon Footprint Project and reinforces a common objective: to provide the abrasives industry with robust and harmonized frameworks for managing environmental performance.
Both approaches follow a similar logic:
- Comprehensive modelling of the abrasive products’ life cycle
- A focus on continuous improvement, supported by concrete short- and medium-term actions
By aligning efforts with FEPA, SEAM is helping to lay the foundation for a European measurement and climate action framework for the abrasive industry — one that can actively engage end clients, decision-makers, and regulators.
What’s Next?
2025 Priorities
The coming months will be pivotal in accelerating the industry’s transition. Building on existing momentum, the SEAM label has set three key priorities for 2025:
- Expand project coverage by including new production sites and welcoming new member companies, broadening the database and strengthening sector-wide representation
- Develop a Scope 3 strategy at industry level, in coordination with suppliers and logistics partners
- Build on the work of early adopters to encourage broader uptake of effective practices across the sector
Our belief: With continued efforts, the European abrasive industry can make a meaningful contribution to the environmental transition within the manufacturing sector.