The latest version of the cm.chemicals database, version V1.01 2022, released in September 2022, includes major updates, new database packages, and updated datasets. For a detailed description of all the changes introduced in the new update V1.01 2022, please see the change report. In the future, Carbon Minds plans to update the cm.chemicals database every year in March, starting with the next update in March 2023.
New features
- CAS numbers were updated for all chemicals in the cm.chemicals database, using the official CAS Registry Numbers.
- Biogenic carbon content and biogenic carbon emissions calculations were introduced in the cm.chemicals database. The modeling approach to calculate biogenic carbon contents and biogenic carbon emissions is based on a matrix-based calculation framework that tracks carbon atoms across the complete chemical supply chain. More details are described in the change report.
- The compliance of the methodology to generate the cm.chemicals database with the ISO standards 14040 and 14044 was reviewed by TÜV Rheinland Energy GmbH in an independent external review. Additionally, the methodology is currently in the process of a new yearly review according to ISO 14040, 14044, and also 14067 by TÜV Rheinland.
Database – wide changes
- The ecoinvent database used in the background is changed from ecoinvent Version 3.7.1 to 3.8. Additionally, the background is changed from the ecoinvent APOS system model to the ecoinvent cut-off model, adding more consistency between the cm.chemicals modeling approach and ecoinvent’s modeling approach.
- For technology data, market data, and trade data, no updates were included compared to Version V1 2021 due to the Covid crisis in 2020. Thus, the reference year 2019 is still used for the input data.
New data
The cm.chemicals database has expanded largely and now covers more than 1000 chemicals and plastics in more than 190 production regions. This amounts in total to more than 80000 LCI datasets for chemicals and plastics. As part of this, Carbon Minds now offers two additional database packages for the plastic industry that cover 92 relevant plastics:
- Plastics – Technology insights
- 92 plastic products
- Production and consumption mixes + major production technologies (core layer) OR major production technologies (extension layer)
- Regions: China, the US, Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and EU-27 average), and global average.
- Plastics – Global insights
- 92 plastic products
- Production and consumption mixes + major production technologies (core layer) OR major production technologies (extension layer)
- Covers all available regions: up to 190 regions per chemical and EU-27 average and global average.
Get cm.chemicals packages for openLCA
For more information on all available data packages and the scope of datasets in each data package, please visit “documents tab” in openLCA Nexus.