Coffee Extracts, Concentrates, Substitutes, and Related Preparations

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR supports foreground data packages for coffee extracts and concentrates, soluble or instant coffee, preparations based on coffee extracts or coffee, coffee-containing substitutes, and roasted chicory or other roasted coffee substitutes and their extracts. It covers factory operations from receipt of declared roasted coffee, chicory, substitute ingredients, or purchased extract through extraction or blending, concentration, optional drying, and packaging at the manufacturing gate.

The Tiangong reference product flow is the real flow Instant Coffee / 速溶咖啡. It is representative of CPC 23912, but it is not a generic identity for every product in the category. A data package for liquid or paste coffee extract, a coffee-based preparation, roasted chicory, or another substitute product shall select and verify a more specific Tiangong product flow before publication; the instant-coffee UUID shall not be relabelled or reused for those products.

Coffee cultivation, primary processing of coffee cherries, manufacture of green coffee, upstream roasting performed by a supplier, distribution, beverage preparation by the user, and end-of-life after the factory gate are represented by linked upstream or downstream datasets when required by the study, not by the foreground processes in this PCR. If roasting, ingredient manufacture, or packaging manufacture occurs at the reporting site, the corresponding foreground operation shall be added and disclosed.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.food-products-beverages-and-tobacco-textiles-apparel-and-leather-products.grain-mill-products-starches-and-starch-products-other-food-products.coffee-substitutes-containing-coffee-extracts-essences-and-concentrates-of-coffee-and-p-905588a6
classification_refs	CPC 3.0: 23912
covered_products	Dried soluble or instant coffee extract; coffee extract paste; liquid coffee extract or concentrate; preparations based on coffee extract or coffee; coffee-containing substitutes; roasted chicory and other roasted coffee substitutes; extracts and concentrates of those substitutes
excluded_products	Green coffee; roasted or decaffeinated coffee sold without extraction or substitute preparation; ready-to-drink brewed coffee beverages; pure flavourings without a coffee or coffee-substitute basis; beverage-serving services
representative_product	Instant Coffee / 速溶咖啡, the verified Tiangong flow used only for dried soluble or instant coffee products
production_route	Receipt and preparation of roasted coffee or declared substitute ingredients; aqueous extraction and clarification where applicable; concentration; optional spray drying or freeze drying and agglomeration; conditional blending or formulation; packaging
market_state	Saleable dry powder or granules, paste, liquid concentrate, roasted substitute, or formulated preparation at the manufacturing gate, with product form, composition basis, dry-matter content, decaffeination status, and packaging state declared

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	Saleable coffee extract, concentrate, instant coffee, coffee-based preparation, or declared coffee-substitute product at the manufacturing gate
How much	1 kg net product, excluding transport packaging unless the study explicitly includes it in the reference product mass
How well	Product form, coffee or substitute basis, dry-matter content, decaffeination status, recipe share for preparations, drying technology where relevant, and packaging state meet the declared specification
How long or cycle	One completed production lot at factory gate; shelf life and beverage preparation are not represented by this mass reference flow
reference_flow_link	One kilogram of net saleable output is the quantitative reference for all foreground inventory amounts

Field	Value
Reference amount	1 kg
Reference product flow	Instant Coffee / 速溶咖啡 16ecdc48-3ef5-40b0-8a5d-56b3794a2ba4
Reference flow property	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66
Reference unit group	Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
Reference unit	kg
Required qualifiers	product form: dried powder/granules, paste, liquid concentrate, roasted substitute, or preparation; coffee/chicory/substitute basis and recipe shares; coffee-based or substitute-based dry-matter content; decaffeinated status; extraction medium; drying technology when dried; net packaging state; geography; reference year

When constructing a foreground data package, every item in Required qualifiers shall be declared in dataset metadata, the product description, the reference-flow comment, or an equivalent data-package field. For any non-instant-coffee product, a product-specific Tiangong flow shall replace the representative flow before publication.

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
reference_mass	Net reference product	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Normalize foreground inputs and outputs to 1 kg net saleable product. Record gross packaged mass separately and do not count packaging in the product reference mass.
product_form_dry_matter	Dried, paste, and liquid extracts	Mass fraction	kg/kg or % by mass	Record dry-matter test result and method. For EU-market coffee extract, screen against Directive 1999/4/EC: at least 95% coffee-based dry matter for dried extract, 70–85% for paste, and 15–55% for liquid extract; use the applicable jurisdictional specification elsewhere.
ingredient_mass_basis	Coffee, chicory, substitute ingredients, additives, and packaging	Mass	kg	Use as-received mass and separately record moisture or dry-matter basis when it materially affects yield or comparison.
energy_conversion	Purchased electricity, fuels, steam, refrigeration, and compressed air	Energy	kWh or MJ	Preserve measured billing or meter units and conversion factors. Do not convert energy carriers to mass without a documented lower or higher heating value and basis.
water_balance	Process water and wastewater	Mass or volume	kg or m3	Use measured mass or volume; if volume is converted to mass, record temperature-dependent density or an explicit justified approximation.

5. System Boundary

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Received roasted coffee, roasted chicory or other substitute ingredients, purchased coffee/substitute extract, formulation ingredients, utilities, and packaging materials at the reporting site
starting_condition_role	Upstream products entering the foreground manufacturing system
product_classification_scope	Coffee extracts, concentrates, coffee-based preparations, coffee-containing substitutes, roasted chicory and other roasted substitutes, and their extracts covered by the declared category scope
recursive_input_rule	A purchased extract, concentrate, or preparation within this same category is recorded once as a technosphere product input with its own upstream dataset; its production is not recursively reconstructed inside the receiving foreground process
upstream_dataset_requirement	Link representative upstream datasets for coffee or substitute ingredients, purchased extracts, water, energy carriers, packaging materials, transport where in scope, and waste treatment; disclose geographic, temporal, and technological representativeness
disclosure	Declare which starting materials are roasted, extracted, concentrated, or already formulated; identify on-site versus supplier operations; state product form, recipe basis, dry matter, drying technology, packaging boundary, geography, reference year, and all exclusions

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
boundary_foreground_operations	Foreground manufacturing	Include all on-site material preparation, aqueous extraction and clarification, concentration, drying or agglomeration, formulation, cleaning, site utilities, wastewater handling, product losses, and packaging operations that occur for the declared route.	eu-coffee-extracts-directive-1999; eu-pef-method-2021
boundary_upstream_links	Purchased inputs	Represent purchased coffee, chicory, substitute ingredients, extracts, formulation ingredients, utilities, packaging materials, and treatment services with linked upstream datasets rather than omitting their burdens.	eu-pef-method-2021
boundary_route_conditionals	Conditional operations	Include only route steps that occur for the declared product, but document a not-applicable decision for every conditional process in the Process Map.	eu-pef-method-2021
boundary_cutoff_disclosure	Excluded flows	Do not use an undocumented mass, energy, or environmental-significance cut-off. Quantify excluded flows or justify and disclose why they are immaterial to the intended dataset use.	iso-14044-2006; eu-pef-method-2021

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
ingredient_preparation	Ingredient receipt and preparation	required	Always; the operation may consist only of metered transfer when ingredients arrive ready for extraction or blending	Foreground material preparation	kg prepared feed
aqueous_extraction	Aqueous extraction and clarification	conditional	Required for coffee or substitute extracts produced on site; not applicable when a purchased extract is only blended or packed	Foreground extraction	kg clarified extract liquor
concentration	Concentration and aroma handling	conditional	Required when extract liquor is concentrated on site or recovered aromas are returned	Foreground concentration	kg concentrated extract
drying_finishing	Drying, agglomeration, and dry-product finishing	conditional	Required for dried soluble or instant products produced on site	Foreground product finishing	kg dried finished product
formulation	Blending and formulation	conditional	Required for coffee-based preparations, coffee-containing substitutes, or products made from multiple ingredients	Foreground formulation	kg formulated product
packaging	Final inspection and packaging	required	Always for saleable factory-gate product; use an explicit unpackaged state only when that is the commercial output	Foreground packing	1 kg net saleable product

Process: Ingredient receipt and preparation (ingredient_preparation)

Inputs

Product flows

Roasted coffee, chicory, substitute, or purchased extract feed (primary_ingredient_feed)

Record each principal ingredient separately by identity, origin, roasted/extracted state, moisture or dry matter, and lot. Do not merge coffee, chicory, other substitutes, or purchased extract into an unnamed aggregate.

• Selected flow: Declared roasted coffee, roasted chicory, coffee substitute, or purchased extract
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured as-received lot mass consumed, net of documented returns to stock
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net saleable reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_material_lot_records
• Range: Provisional ingredient-input QA guardrail
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0.1
  • Upper: 10
  • Unit: kg/kg net saleable product
  • Basis: broad category-level screen spanning preparations, liquid extracts, and dried extracts; replace with product- and site-specific yield evidence
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Minor formulation and processing aids (minor_ingredients)

Record sugars, carriers, anti-caking agents, or other declared ingredients and processing aids separately when used. Apply applicable product-composition rules and retain recipe records.

• Selected flow: Declared formulation ingredient or processing aid
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured issue-to-production mass by ingredient
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net saleable reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_material_lot_records
• Sources: eu-coffee-extracts-directive-1999

Waste flows

Rejected or spilled ingredients (ingredient_rejects)

Record off-specification, spilled, and discarded ingredient mass by material and destination.

• Selected flow: Organic food-processing waste
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured rejected or discarded mass
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg prepared feed
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste_records
• Range: Provisional material-loss QA guardrail
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 0.2
  • Unit: kg/kg prepared feed
  • Basis: broad first-pass screen; replace with site mass-balance history
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Prepared ingredient feed (prepared_feed)

Prepared material transferred to extraction or formulation is calculated from opening stock, receipts, closing stock, returns, and measured losses.

• Selected flow: Prepared coffee or substitute feed
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Calculated prepared feed transferred to the next foreground process
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg prepared feed
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_material_lot_records

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Process: Aqueous extraction and clarification (aqueous_extraction)

Inputs

Product flows

Prepared roasted material (extraction_feed)

Record the prepared roasted coffee or substitute material entering extraction. Purchased extract bypasses this process and enters concentration or formulation.

• Selected flow: Prepared roasted coffee or substitute material
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Metered or batch-weighed extraction feed
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg clarified extract liquor
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_material_lot_records
• Sources: eu-coffee-extracts-directive-1999

Extraction and cleaning water (process_water)

Separate water incorporated in extract from cleaning water where metering permits; record recycled water and condensate without double counting makeup water.

• Selected flow: Process water
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Metered freshwater makeup plus other externally supplied water entering the process
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net saleable reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_utility_meter_records
• Range: Provisional water-use QA guardrail
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0.5
  • Upper: 50
  • Unit: kg/kg net saleable product
  • Basis: broad first-pass screen across extract forms and cleaning regimes; replace with site metering
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Extraction energy and utilities (extraction_energy)

Record electricity and thermal energy carriers separately. Steam crossing the process boundary shall include its pressure or temperature basis and condensate return treatment.

• Selected flow: Purchased electricity and thermal-energy carriers
• Flow property / unit: Energy / kWh or MJ
• Amount rule: Metered or allocated utility consumption for extraction and clarification
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net saleable reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_utility_meter_records
• Range: Provisional extraction-energy QA guardrail
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0.1
  • Upper: 50
  • Unit: MJ/kg net saleable product
  • Basis: broad first-pass combined-energy screen; replace with separated meter or engineering records
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Clarified coffee or substitute extract liquor (clarified_extract)

Record extract mass and dry-matter fraction at the transfer point to concentration or direct liquid-product finishing.

• Selected flow: Clarified coffee or substitute extract liquor
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured transfer mass with paired dry-matter test
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg clarified extract liquor
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_mass_quality_records

Waste flows

Spent coffee grounds or substitute solids (spent_extraction_solids)

Record wet mass, dry matter, any recovered coffee oil or other co-product, and treatment or use destination.

• Selected flow: Spent coffee grounds or spent substitute solids
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured wet mass leaving extraction, paired with representative dry-matter samples
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net saleable reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste_records
• Range: Provisional spent-solids QA guardrail
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 10
  • Unit: kg wet solids/kg net saleable product
  • Basis: broad first-pass screen; replace with site mass balance and moisture data
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Extraction wastewater (extraction_wastewater)

Record wastewater volume or mass, relevant load indicators, and destination; do not combine it with water incorporated in product or evaporated water.

• Selected flow: Food-processing wastewater
• Flow property / unit: Mass or volume / kg or m3
• Amount rule: Metered discharge from extraction, cleaning, and clarification attributable to the product route
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net saleable reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_wastewater_records
• Range: Provisional wastewater QA guardrail
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 50
  • Unit: kg/kg net saleable product
  • Basis: broad first-pass screen; replace with flow-meter and production records
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Elementary flows

Process: Concentration and aroma handling (concentration)

Inputs

Product flows

Clarified extract or purchased extract (concentration_feed)

Record the feed mass, dry matter, and whether aromas are recovered and returned.

• Selected flow: Clarified or purchased coffee or substitute extract
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured feed transfer mass with dry-matter test
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg concentrated extract output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_mass_quality_records

Concentration energy and utilities (concentration_energy)

Record electricity, steam, refrigeration, and vacuum-system utilities separately where available.

• Selected flow: Purchased electricity and thermal-energy carriers
• Flow property / unit: Energy / kWh or MJ
• Amount rule: Metered or engineering-allocated concentration utility consumption
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net saleable reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_utility_meter_records
• Range: Provisional concentration-energy QA guardrail
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0.1
  • Upper: 50
  • Unit: MJ/kg net saleable product
  • Basis: broad first-pass combined-energy screen; replace with site utility data
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Concentrated extract (concentrated_extract)

Record product mass, product form, and dry matter at the concentration outlet. Recovered aroma returned to the same product is an internal flow and shall not be counted as an additional output.

• Selected flow: Concentrated coffee or substitute extract
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured outlet mass with dry-matter test
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg concentrated extract output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_mass_quality_records
• Sources: eu-coffee-extracts-directive-1999

Waste flows

Concentration condensate or wastewater (concentration_water_output)

Record condensate reuse, discharge, or treatment separately so recovered water is not counted both as waste and avoided input.

• Selected flow: Process condensate or wastewater
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Metered or mass-balance-calculated water output by destination
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg concentrated extract output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_wastewater_records

Elementary flows

Process: Drying, agglomeration, and dry-product finishing (drying_finishing)

Inputs

Product flows

Concentrated extract feed (drying_feed)

Declare spray drying, freeze drying, or another reviewed drying technology and record feed mass and dry matter.

• Selected flow: Concentrated coffee or substitute extract
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured concentrated feed to the dryer
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg dried product output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_mass_quality_records

Drying energy and utilities (drying_energy)

Record electricity, heat, refrigeration, compressed air, and inert gas separately by drying technology.

• Selected flow: Purchased electricity and thermal-energy carriers
• Flow property / unit: Energy / kWh or MJ
• Amount rule: Metered or engineering-allocated utility consumption for drying and agglomeration
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg dried product output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_utility_meter_records
• Range: Provisional drying-energy QA guardrail
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0.5
  • Upper: 100
  • Unit: MJ/kg dried product
  • Basis: broad first-pass screen spanning spray and freeze drying; replace with technology-specific site data
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Dried soluble or instant product (dried_product)

Record net dried output, dry matter, retained fines returned internally, and off-specification product separately.

• Selected flow: Instant Coffee / 速溶咖啡 16ecdc48-3ef5-40b0-8a5d-56b3794a2ba4
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measured conforming dried output transferred to formulation or packaging
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg dried product output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_mass_quality_records
• Sources: eu-coffee-extracts-directive-1999

Waste flows

Off-specification dried product and captured fines (drying_rejects)

Record final destination and distinguish internally recycled fines from material that leaves the foreground system.

• Selected flow: Off-specification soluble coffee or substitute product
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured off-specification output leaving the process
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg dried product output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste_records
• Range: Provisional drying-loss QA guardrail
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 0.2
  • Unit: kg/kg dried product output
  • Basis: broad first-pass screen; replace with site yield history
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Elementary flows

Process: Blending and formulation (formulation)

Inputs

Product flows

Coffee extract, substitute, and formulation components (formulation_components)

Record every recipe component separately and identify the coffee, chicory, or other substitute basis.

• Selected flow: Declared formulation components
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured batch recipe quantities corrected for returns and rework
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg formulated product output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_material_lot_records
• Sources: eu-coffee-extracts-directive-1999

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Formulated coffee or substitute preparation (formulated_product)

Record net batch output, recipe version, dry matter, and product-specific flow identity.

• Selected flow: Formulated coffee or substitute preparation
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured conforming formulated output
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg formulated product output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_mass_quality_records

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Process: Final inspection and packaging (packaging)

Inputs

Product flows

Unpacked conforming product (unpacked_product)

Record the product-specific flow entering packaging. The instant-coffee UUID is used only when the product is instant or soluble coffee.

• Selected flow: Product-specific coffee extract, preparation, or substitute product
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured conforming product transferred to packaging
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net saleable reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_mass_quality_records

Primary and secondary packaging materials (packaging_materials)

Record each material and component separately, including multilayer packs, closures, labels, cartons, and pallets when inside the declared packaging boundary.

• Selected flow: Product-specific packaging material
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured or bill-of-material packaging mass consumed, net of returned components
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net saleable reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_packaging_records
• Range: Provisional packaging-mass QA guardrail
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0.001
  • Upper: 1
  • Unit: kg/kg net saleable product
  • Basis: broad first-pass screen spanning bulk and retail formats; replace with the packaging bill of materials
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Packaging scrap (packaging_scrap)

Record packaging scrap by material and treatment destination.

• Selected flow: Packaging waste by material
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured packaging scrap leaving the process
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net saleable reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste_records

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Net saleable reference product (reference_product_output)

The output flow shall be product-specific. Use the verified Instant Coffee flow only for instant or soluble coffee; all other products require a verified, more specific Tiangong flow.

• Selected flow: Instant Coffee / 速溶咖啡 16ecdc48-3ef5-40b0-8a5d-56b3794a2ba4
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Fixed quantitative reference of 1 kg net saleable product
• Value mode: Fixed value (fixed_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: 1 kg net saleable reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Identity reference (identity_reference)

Waste flows

Elementary flows

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
allocation_avoid	Multi-output foreground processes	First avoid allocation through process subdivision, separate metering, and mass balance, including separate accounting for recovered aroma, coffee oil, reusable condensate, internally recycled fines, and saleable co-products.	iso-14044-2006; eu-pef-method-2021
allocation_physical_then_other	Unavoidable shared burdens	When subdivision is not feasible, use a documented physical causal relationship. If no defensible physical relationship exists, use an explicitly justified alternative such as economic allocation, report prices and reference period, and test sensitivity.	iso-14044-2006; eu-pef-method-2021
allocation_internal_recycling	Internal loops	Do not assign a second product output or avoided burden to recovered aroma, condensate, extract, or fines returned to the same foreground route; record the loop and count only makeup inputs and losses crossing the system boundary.	eu-pef-method-2021
allocation_waste_treatment	Spent grounds, wastewater, and packaging scrap	Assign treatment burdens to the foreground product up to the declared system boundary. Do not credit substitution or recycling benefits unless the downstream method and dataset scope explicitly require them and the modelling choice is disclosed.	eu-pef-method-2021

8. Foreground Data Collection, Calculation, and Quality Rules

Data Collection Protocols

protocol_id	process_id	flow_role	record_type	raw_fields	collection_method	unit	frequency	temporal_coverage	site_scope	aggregation_rule	quality_evidence
cp_material_lot_records	ingredient_preparation	Principal and minor ingredient inputs; prepared feed; formulation components	ERP issue records, scale tickets, batch sheets, stock reconciliation	material_id; supplier; lot_id; product_state; opening_stock; receipts; issues; returns; closing_stock; moisture_or_dry_matter; timestamp	Calibrated scales plus inventory reconciliation	kg and kg/kg dry matter	Each lot or batch, reconciled monthly	Representative production cycle; preferably 12 consecutive months for annual datasets	Every included manufacturing site and product recipe	Sum net consumption by material and divide by conforming reference-product output; keep ingredients separate	Scale calibration, lot traceability, stock-variance review, recipe approval
cp_utility_meter_records	aqueous_extraction	Water, electricity, fuels, steam, refrigeration, compressed air, and other utilities for extraction, concentration, and drying	Utility meters, invoices, boiler logs, engineering allocation records	meter_id; carrier; opening_reading; closing_reading; unit; conversion_factor; process_area; production_period; allocation_key	Submeter preferred; otherwise documented engineering allocation from site totals	kg, m3, kWh, or MJ	Continuous or per batch, reconciled monthly	Same representative period as product output; preferably 12 consecutive months	All equipment and shared utilities serving included processes	Convert with documented factors, subtract verified exports or returns, allocate shared totals using causal operating data, normalize to output	Meter calibration, invoice reconciliation, operating-hour record, conversion-factor source
cp_product_mass_quality_records	packaging	Extract intermediates and conforming product outputs	Batch mass records, tank or hopper measurements, laboratory results, release records	batch_id; product_id; input_mass; output_mass; product_form; dry_matter; caffeine_status; recipe_version; drying_technology; release_status	Calibrated mass measurement paired with representative laboratory sampling	kg and % by mass	Every batch or production lot	All batches in the representative dataset period	Every included product and site	Sum released output only; retain intermediate mass and dry-matter pairs for mass balance	Scale calibration, laboratory method, sample plan, release authorization
cp_waste_records	ingredient_preparation	Ingredient rejects, spent solids, off-specification product, and packaging scrap	Waste scales, container tickets, transfer notes, treatment invoices	waste_id; material; wet_mass; dry_matter_if_relevant; destination; treatment; recovery_status; batch_or_period	Weigh each transfer or use calibrated container factors verified by periodic weighing	kg and kg/kg dry matter where relevant	Each transfer, reconciled monthly	Same representative period as product output	All included processes and destinations	Sum by waste type and destination; subtract only documented internal return before boundary crossing	Scale calibration, transfer documentation, treatment receipt, moisture sampling
cp_wastewater_records	aqueous_extraction	Wastewater and condensate discharge or reuse	Flow meter, tank record, discharge permit sampling, treatment log	stream_id; volume_or_mass; density_if_used; COD_or_relevant_load; destination; reuse_quantity; period	Continuous flow meter or documented water balance with representative sampling	kg, m3, and applicable load unit	Continuous/monthly plus permit sampling frequency	Same representative period as product output, including seasonal cleaning campaigns	All included wastewater and condensate streams	Separate discharge, treatment, evaporation, product incorporation, and internal reuse; avoid double counting	Meter calibration, balance closure, laboratory report, discharge record
cp_packaging_records	packaging	Primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging inside the declared boundary	Bill of materials, supplier specification, issue and scrap records	component_id; material; unit_mass; units_used; recycled_content_if_claimed; scrap; pallet_cycles; product_format	Component weighing and approved bill of materials reconciled to issues	kg	Per packaging specification; issues reconciled monthly	All packaging formats produced in the representative dataset period	Every saleable format and included site	Sum component mass consumed minus documented reusable returns; normalize to net product mass	Approved specification, supplier declaration, scale record, inventory reconciliation

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
calc_reference_normalization	All foreground flows	normalized amount = period or batch flow amount / net conforming saleable product mass for the same period or batch	flow_amount; net_saleable_product_mass	amount per 1 kg net saleable reference product	eu-pef-method-2021
calc_dry_matter	Extract and product quality	dry-matter fraction = dry sample mass / as-received sample mass; retain the laboratory method and sampling basis	dry_sample_mass; as_received_sample_mass	kg/kg and % by mass dry matter	eu-coffee-extracts-directive-1999
calc_material_balance	Each process and complete foreground route	mass-balance difference = total measured mass inputs - total measured mass outputs - separately measured evaporation or other mass transfer; report difference relative to total inputs	input_masses; product_outputs; waste_outputs; wastewater; evaporation_or_transfer	kg difference and % closure
calc_shared_utility	Shared utility systems	allocated utility = metered shared total × causal process driver / sum of the same driver across served processes; use operating time only when it reasonably represents demand	shared_utility_total; causal_driver_by_process	utility amount assigned to each process	eu-pef-method-2021
calc_packaging_mass	Packaging	packaging mass = sum(component unit mass × units consumed) - verified reusable components returned without crossing the boundary	component_unit_mass; units_consumed; reusable_returns	kg packaging per kg net product
calc_yield	Extraction, concentration, drying, formulation, and packaging	process yield = conforming output dry mass / applicable input dry mass; for packaging use conforming net product mass / unpacked input mass	input_mass_and_dry_matter; conforming_output_mass_and_dry_matter	kg/kg process yield on declared basis

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
dq_identity	Reference product and ingredients	Preserve product-specific identities, lot links, product form, coffee/chicory/substitute basis, recipe version, and the verified Tiangong flow UUID. Non-instant products shall not use the Instant Coffee UUID.	Product specification, batch release record, supplier record, and Tiangong identity verification
dq_measurement	Mass, utilities, water, wastes, and quality tests	Use calibrated or legally controlled instruments where applicable; retain calibration status, reading units, conversion factors, and laboratory methods.	Calibration certificate, meter log, laboratory report, and conversion record
dq_temporal	Foreground annual or campaign dataset	Cover at least one representative production cycle and preferably 12 consecutive months when seasonality or product campaigns affect utilities or yield; disclose shorter coverage and its limitations.	Production calendar, monthly reconciliation, and representativeness assessment
dq_completeness	Foreground system	Reconcile material, water, energy, product, waste, and wastewater records across every included process and document excluded or unmetered flows.	Completeness checklist, mass and water balances, utility reconciliation
dq_representativeness	Upstream datasets and shared allocations	Document geographic, temporal, and technological match, shared-site allocation drivers, and substitutions used when exact upstream data are unavailable.	Dataset metadata, allocation worksheet, supplier geography, technology description
dq_uncertainty	Provisional ranges and modelled estimates	Treat every reasoned_estimate range only as a QA screen; replace it with foreground measurements or reviewed source-backed evidence before publication or disclose the unresolved limitation.	Range review log, measured value, source citation, or explicit limitation statement

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
validate_reference_identity	Reference flow	Confirm UUID 16ecdc48-3ef5-40b0-8a5d-56b3794a2ba4, flow name Instant Coffee / 速溶咖啡, flow type Product flow, state code 100, Mass property UUID 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66, mass unit-group UUID 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66, and kg reference unit.
validate_non_instant_flow	Non-instant products	Reject publication if liquid or paste extract, coffee-based preparation, roasted chicory, or another substitute product relabels or reuses the Instant Coffee UUID; require a verified product-specific flow.
validate_qualifiers	Reference product metadata	Require product form, coffee/chicory/substitute and recipe basis, dry matter, decaffeination status, extraction medium, applicable drying technology, packaging state, geography, and reference year.	eu-coffee-extracts-directive-1999
validate_route	Process coverage	Require both mandatory processes and a documented included/not-applicable decision for aqueous extraction, concentration, drying, and formulation; the detailed inventories shall match the declared production route.	eu-pef-method-2021
validate_mass_balance	Foreground processes	Require batch or period mass-balance calculations for extraction, concentration, drying, formulation, and packaging; investigate and disclose material imbalances instead of forcing closure.	iso-14044-2006; eu-pef-method-2021
validate_foreground_evidence	Collected and calculated rows	Require every collected_record or calculated_from_collection row to reference an implemented collection protocol and retain the stated quality evidence.	eu-pef-method-2021
validate_allocation	Multi-output and shared processes	Require documented subdivision attempts, allocation method, allocation factors totaling one, source period, and sensitivity when a non-physical basis is used.	iso-14044-2006; eu-pef-method-2021
validate_estimate_status	Reasoned-estimate ranges	Flag every reasoned_estimate as a non-authoritative QA guardrail and require replacement by measured or reviewed evidence, or explicit limitation disclosure, before normal published use.

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	Foreground factory-gate production dataset for a declared coffee extract, concentrate, instant coffee, coffee-based preparation, or coffee-substitute product
downstream_use	secondary_dataset; background_dataset when product identity, route, geography, technology, and data quality are sufficiently representative for reuse
allowed_use	Product-footprint, process, and lifecycle-model studies using the same product form and composition basis, manufacturing route, boundary, geography, time period, packaging state, and allocation assumptions
excluded_use	Direct substitution across dried, paste, liquid, preparation, chicory, or other substitute forms without dry-matter and function adjustment; consumer beverage preparation; agricultural coffee production; use of the Instant Coffee UUID for a non-instant product; comparative public claims without applicable review
required_metadata	Product-specific flow UUID; product name and form; coffee/chicory/substitute basis and recipe shares; dry matter; decaffeination status; extraction medium; drying technology; net and packaging mass basis; process inclusion decisions; geography; reference year; site coverage; allocation method; upstream dataset versions
required_quality_disclosure	Foreground coverage period and site share; meter and scale quality; laboratory methods; mass and water balance closure; missing-flow assessment; shared-utility allocation; upstream representativeness; provisional estimate status; exclusions and limitations
update_trigger	Change of product flow identity, product form or recipe, dry-matter specification, extraction or drying technology, site or geography, packaging format, allocation method, material supplier route, or a material shift in yield, energy, water, waste, or wastewater performance

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
eu-coffee-extracts-directive-1999	Official guidance (official_guidance)	European Parliament and Council, Directive 1999/4/EC relating to coffee extracts and chicory extracts, consolidated current version, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31999L0004 (retrieved 2026-08-11)	Product definitions; water-only extraction definition; dried, paste, and liquid form distinctions; dry-matter and composition qualifiers
eu-pef-method-2021	Official guidance (official_guidance)	European Commission, Recommendation (EU) 2021/2279, Annex I Product Environmental Footprint Method, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2021/2279/oj (retrieved 2026-08-11)	Functional unit and reference flow; system boundary; company-specific data; data quality; multifunctionality; validation and reporting rules
iso-14044-2006	Standard (standard)	ISO 14044:2006, Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Requirements and guidelines, including published amendments; official record https://www.iso.org/standard/38498.html (confirmed current in 2022; retrieved 2026-08-11)	LCA inventory consistency, allocation hierarchy, completeness, interpretation, reporting, and critical-review basis