Bars and rods, cold-formed or cold-finished, of alloy steel (except bars or rods of high-speed steel or silico-manganese steel)

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR covers gate-to-gate production of alloy-steel bars and rods whose saleable state is cold-formed or cold-finished. The foreground starts with hot-rolled alloy-steel bar or rod feedstock received at the cold-finishing site and ends with conforming product at that site's dispatch gate. The applicable finishing route may use cold drawing, grinding, or peeling; post-drawing annealing, chemical pickling, mechanical descaling, and rust-preventive oiling are included only when performed.

High-speed-steel bars and rods, silico-manganese-steel bars and rods, wire, hollow drill bars, hot-worked-only bars and rods, and bars or rods further worked beyond the cold-formed or cold-finished state are excluded. Upstream steelmaking and hot rolling require linked upstream datasets. Downstream fabrication, transport after the dispatch gate, use, and end of life are outside this foreground boundary.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.metal-products-machinery-and-equipment.basic-metals.bars-and-rods-cold-formed-or-cold-finished-of-alloy-steel-except-bars-or-rods-of-high-s-e7244d5a
classification_refs	CPC 3.0: 41264 (exact)
covered_products	Solid alloy-steel bars and rods placed on the market in a cold-formed or cold-finished state, including bright bars made by cold drawing, grinding, or peeling
excluded_products	High-speed-steel or silico-manganese-steel bars or rods; wire; hollow drill bars; hot-worked-only products; products further worked beyond cold forming or cold finishing
representative_product	Dimensionally conforming cold-finished alloy-steel bright bar
production_route	Received hot-rolled alloy-steel bar or rod; surface preparation as needed; cold drawing, grinding, or peeling; optional annealing; final straightening, cutting, inspection, and optional rust prevention
market_state	Dry saleable bar or rod at the producing-site gate, with declared alloy grade, cross-section, dimensions, tolerance, delivery form, heat-treatment condition, and surface condition

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	Production of conforming cold-formed or cold-finished alloy-steel bars or rods
How much	1,000 kg net mass of reference product
How well	Meets the declared alloy grade, cross-section, dimensional tolerances, mechanical-property condition, and surface-finish specification
How long or cycle	One production accounting period ending at the producing-site dispatch gate; no use duration is represented
reference_flow_link	Net mass of conforming output is fixed to 1,000 kg after excluding packaging, dunnage, offcuts, scale, swarf, and other non-product material

Field	Value
Reference amount	1,000 kg
Reference product flow	Cold-formed or cold-finished alloy-steel bars and rods
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	alloy grade and composition specification; high-speed-steel exclusion; silico-manganese-steel exclusion; cold-processing route; input product form; output cross-section and dimensions; dimensional tolerance; delivery form; heat-treatment condition; surface condition and roughness where specified; rust-preventive oil presence; producing site and geography; accounting period; electricity supplier, geography, voltage, technology, and delivery boundary

When constructing a foreground data package, the items listed in Required qualifiers must be declared in dataset metadata, process notes, reference flow comment, product description, or an equivalent data package field. Missing required qualifiers make the reference flow definition incomplete for that data package.

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
reference_product_mass	reference product and mass-based rows	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Determine mass from calibrated scales or traceable piece-count, length, cross-section, and density records; normalize all rows to exactly 1,000 kg net conforming output.
net_product_definition	reference product	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Exclude packaging, dunnage, offcuts, scale, swarf, retained test pieces, and nonconforming product from reference-product mass.
electricity_energy_conversion	electricity rows	Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66	MJ	Preserve metered electricity by process; convert kWh using 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ and do not combine electricity with fuel or purchased heat.
natural_gas_volume_condition	annealing natural gas	Volume 93a60a56-a3c8-22da-a746-0800200c9a66	m3	Report gas at a declared reference temperature and pressure; document the meter basis and conversion from operating conditions.
solution_mass_and_concentration	acids, lubricants, grinding fluid, and oil	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Report supplied formulation mass separately for each chemical product and retain concentration or formulation records.

5. System Boundary

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Hot-rolled alloy-steel bar or rod physically received at the cold-finishing site's gate, with alloy grade, mass, dimensions, surface condition, supplier, and upstream dataset declared
starting_condition_role	Purchased or transferred upstream product input to downstream cold finishing
product_classification_scope	Final reference product meets CPC 3.0 subclass 41264 and its exclusions; intermediate and waste flows do not acquire that classification
recursive_input_rule	Externally supplied cold-finished product already within this category is recorded with its upstream dataset and is not recursively reproduced; inventory only additional material transformation
upstream_dataset_requirement	Use supplier-specific or representative upstream datasets for alloy-steel production and hot rolling, matching grade, recycled-content accounting, form, technology, geography, and delivery boundary
disclosure	Declare site, geography, period, alloy grade, input form, cold drawing/grinding/peeling route, surface preparation, annealing and furnace energy, yield, steel-residue status, electricity delivery qualifiers, and all exclusions or estimates

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
boundary_required_stages	foreground conversion	Include receipt and preparation, the declared cold drawing, grinding, or peeling route, final conditioning, inspection, and directly required on-site ancillary operations.	ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022; worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
boundary_conditional_stages	route-specific operations	Include pickling, mechanical descaling, annealing, grinding fluid, drawing lubricant, and rust-preventive oil only when the corresponding operation occurs; document non-applicability from route records.	ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
boundary_upstream_feedstock	upstream separation	Keep steelmaking and hot rolling outside this foreground conversion and link received feedstock to a qualified upstream dataset without truncating its burdens.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
boundary_inventory_completeness	all foreground unit processes	Record every energetic input and each material, waste, and elementary exchange material by mass, energy, or environmental relevance; identify and justify any exclusion.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
boundary_gate_exclusions	downstream stages	Exclude transport after the producing-site dispatch gate, customer fabrication, use, and end of life; disclose any broader study modules separately.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
surface_preparation	Feedstock receipt and surface preparation	required	Always include receipt and inspection; include mechanical descaling or acid pickling and rinsing only when performed	Establish qualified input state and prepare the surface	Mass of prepared alloy-steel bar or rod output
cold_processing	Cold forming or cold finishing	required	Include the one declared cold drawing, grinding, or peeling route and its actual auxiliaries	Create required dimensions, surface, and mechanical condition	Mass of cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod output
annealing	Post-cold-processing annealing	conditional	Include only when annealing or stress relief is performed after cold processing	Adjust ductility and mechanical condition	Mass of annealed cold-finished output
final_conditioning	Final conditioning, inspection, and dispatch	required	Always include final conformity operations; include rust-preventive oil only when applied	Release the saleable reference product	1,000 kg net conforming reference-product output

Process: Feedstock receipt and surface preparation (surface_preparation)

Inputs

Product flows

Hot-rolled alloy-steel feedstock (hot_rolled_alloy_steel_feedstock)

Record received hot-rolled alloy-steel bar or rod mass and reconcile grade, dimensions, and state to the upstream dataset.

• Selected flow: Bars and rods of alloy steel, not further worked than forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded (except bars or rods of high-speed steel or silico-manganese steel) c11c7e9a-d020-4b89-a50c-4a82c0f76943
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured received mass attributable to the accounting period
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net conforming reference-product output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_surface_preparation_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Surface-preparation electricity (surface_prep_electricity)

Record alternating-current electricity delivered to actual handling, descaling, pickling, rinsing, and pumps.

• Selected flow: Alternating current 455f0ef5-6118-4f2b-a3f5-1f75e0afe3ca
• Flow property / unit: Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; Units of energy 93a60a57-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; MJ
• Amount rule: process-submetered electricity converted to MJ
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net conforming reference-product output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_surface_preparation_records
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Hydrochloric acid pickling solution (hydrochloric_acid_input)

Include hydrochloric-acid solution only for a route that consumes it; record supplied solution mass and concentration.

• Selected flow: Hydrochloric acid solution
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured net solution make-up consumed by hydrochloric-acid pickling
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg prepared alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_surface_preparation_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Sulfuric acid pickling solution (sulfuric_acid_input)

Include sulfuric-acid solution only for a route that consumes it; record supplied solution mass and concentration.

• Selected flow: Sulfuric acid solution
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured net solution make-up consumed by sulfuric-acid pickling
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg prepared alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_surface_preparation_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Pickling and rinse water (pickling_rinse_water)

Include process water only when used; measure fresh make-up crossing the site boundary, not internal recirculation.

• Selected flow: Process Water 94a04f7e-2d5c-41f0-b182-d54a3b373a02
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured fresh process-water make-up
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg prepared alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_surface_preparation_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Prepared alloy-steel bar or rod (prepared_alloy_steel_bar_output)

Record the mass leaving surface preparation, with surface state and route declared.

• Selected flow: Surface-prepared alloy-steel bar or rod
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured output mass after preparation
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per surface-preparation campaign
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_surface_preparation_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Removed steel scale (steel_scale_waste)

Include alloy-steel scale only when mechanical descaling or scale separation produces this waste.

• Selected flow: Alloy-steel scale waste
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured collected scale sent to the declared treatment route
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg prepared alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_surface_preparation_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Spent hydrochloric pickling liquor (spent_hydrochloric_pickling_liquor)

Include iron-bearing spent hydrochloric liquor only when it leaves the foreground as waste.

• Selected flow: Iron-bearing spent hydrochloric pickling liquor
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured net spent liquor transferred to treatment or regeneration
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg prepared alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_surface_preparation_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Spent sulfuric pickling liquor (spent_sulfuric_pickling_liquor)

Include iron-bearing spent sulfuric liquor only when it leaves the foreground as waste.

• Selected flow: Iron-bearing spent sulfuric pickling liquor
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured net spent liquor transferred to treatment or regeneration
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg prepared alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_surface_preparation_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Pickling rinse wastewater (pickling_rinse_wastewater)

Include acidic rinse wastewater only when transferred to on-site or external treatment.

• Selected flow: Acidic pickling-rinse wastewater
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured wastewater transferred to treatment
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg prepared alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_surface_preparation_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Elementary flows

Process: Cold forming or cold finishing (cold_processing)

Inputs

Product flows

Prepared alloy-steel bar or rod input (prepared_alloy_steel_bar_input)

Carry the measured surface-preparation output into the declared cold-processing route.

• Selected flow: Surface-prepared alloy-steel bar or rod
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured intermediate input mass
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per cold-processing campaign
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_cold_processing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Cold-processing electricity (cold_processing_electricity)

Record electricity for the declared cold-drawing, grinding, or peeling equipment and direct auxiliaries.

• Selected flow: Alternating current 455f0ef5-6118-4f2b-a3f5-1f75e0afe3ca
• Flow property / unit: Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; Units of energy 93a60a57-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; MJ
• Amount rule: process-submetered electricity converted to MJ
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_cold_processing_records
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Drawing lubricant (drawing_lubricant_input)

Include one identified drawing lubricant only when the route uses cold drawing.

• Selected flow: Steel drawing lubricant
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured net lubricant make-up consumed
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg cold-drawn alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_cold_processing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Grinding fluid (grinding_fluid_input)

Include identified grinding fluid only when wet grinding is performed; exclude recirculated fluid from net make-up.

• Selected flow: Steel grinding fluid
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured net grinding-fluid make-up consumed
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg ground alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_cold_processing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Grinding abrasive (grinding_abrasive_input)

Include the specific abrasive product consumed by the grinding route, separately from grinding fluid.

• Selected flow: Abrasives 685e7b7f-1555-4112-aa0b-3786e5508534
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured abrasive replacement mass consumed
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg ground alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_cold_processing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod intermediate (cold_finished_alloy_steel_bar_output)

Record cold-processed output before optional annealing and final conditioning, with route and state declared.

• Selected flow: Cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod before final conditioning
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured cold-processed output mass
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per cold-processing campaign
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_cold_processing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Spent drawing lubricant (spent_drawing_lubricant)

Include spent drawing lubricant containing alloy-steel fines only when it leaves the drawing circuit.

• Selected flow: Spent steel drawing lubricant
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured spent lubricant transferred to treatment
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg cold-drawn alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_cold_processing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Spent grinding fluid (spent_grinding_fluid)

Include spent grinding fluid containing alloy-steel fines only when it leaves the grinding circuit.

• Selected flow: Spent steel grinding fluid
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured spent fluid transferred to treatment
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg ground alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_cold_processing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Alloy-steel swarf (steel_swarf_waste)

Include alloy-steel swarf removed by grinding or peeling as a separate waste exchange.

• Selected flow: Steel swarf 6a16eab5-8097-4e37-8d28-aa1e81b8bb5c
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured swarf mass sent to the declared treatment route
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg ground or peeled alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_cold_processing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Alloy-steel end crops (steel_end_crop_waste)

Include end crops generated during cold processing when they leave with waste status.

• Selected flow: Alloy-steel end-crop waste
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured end-crop mass sent to the declared treatment route
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_cold_processing_records
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Used grinding abrasive (used_grinding_abrasive)

Include used abrasive containing alloy-steel particles only when removed for treatment.

• Selected flow: Waste abrasive 69bac8b0-e9df-4945-9c94-f65c63531203
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured used abrasive mass transferred to treatment
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg ground alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_cold_processing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Elementary flows

Process: Post-cold-processing annealing (annealing)

Inputs

Product flows

Cold-finished bar or rod for annealing (cold_finished_bar_for_annealing)

Include this intermediate only when the specification requires post-cold-processing heat treatment.

• Selected flow: Cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod for annealing
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured furnace charge mass
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per annealing campaign
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_annealing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Natural gas for annealing furnace (annealing_natural_gas)

Include gaseous natural gas only when consumed; declare supply geography, furnace function and technology, and reference volume conditions.

• Selected flow: natural gas in the gaseous state 4f19ca0e-7b3b-11dd-ad8b-0800200c9a66
• Flow property / unit: Volume 93a60a56-a3c8-22da-a746-0800200c9a66; Units of volume 93a60a57-a3c8-12da-a746-0800200c9a66; m3
• Amount rule: metered natural-gas volume at declared reference conditions
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg annealed cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_annealing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Annealing electricity (annealing_electricity)

Record electricity delivered to furnace controls, fans, handling, and electrically heated zones.

• Selected flow: Alternating current 455f0ef5-6118-4f2b-a3f5-1f75e0afe3ca
• Flow property / unit: Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; Units of energy 93a60a57-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; MJ
• Amount rule: process-submetered electricity converted to MJ
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg annealed cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_annealing_records
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Annealed cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod (annealed_alloy_steel_bar_output)

Record output mass with heat-treatment condition and conformity status declared.

• Selected flow: Annealed cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured annealed output mass
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per annealing campaign
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_annealing_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Fossil carbon dioxide from annealing (fossil_co2_air)

Include direct fossil carbon dioxide from on-site natural-gas combustion; exclude upstream gas-supply emissions here.

• Selected flow: carbon dioxide (fossil) 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-923d-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: direct stack measurement or carbon-balance calculation from collected gas quantity, carbon content, and oxidation data
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg annealed cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_annealing_records
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Process: Final conditioning, inspection, and dispatch (final_conditioning)

Inputs

Product flows

Cold-finished product before final conditioning (final_conditioning_input)

Record the intermediate entering final conditioning, with annealed or unannealed state declared.

• Selected flow: Cold-finished alloy-steel bar or rod before final conditioning
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured intermediate input mass
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per final-conditioning campaign
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_final_conditioning_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Final-conditioning electricity (final_conditioning_electricity)

Record electricity delivered to straightening, cutting, inspection, and dispatch preparation.

• Selected flow: Alternating current 455f0ef5-6118-4f2b-a3f5-1f75e0afe3ca
• Flow property / unit: Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; Units of energy 93a60a57-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; MJ
• Amount rule: process-submetered electricity converted to MJ
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net conforming reference-product output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_final_conditioning_records
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Rust-preventive oil (rust_preventive_oil_input)

Include identified rust-preventive oil only when intentionally applied to saleable product.

• Selected flow: Rust-preventive oil for steel
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured net oil make-up applied to conforming product
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net conforming reference-product output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_final_conditioning_records
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Reference product (reference_product_output)

This is the declared reference product; its exact Tiangong product-flow UUID remains unresolved.

• Selected flow: Cold-formed or cold-finished alloy-steel bars and rods
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: exactly 1,000 kg net conforming product by reference-flow normalization
• Value mode: Fixed value (fixed_value)
• Specificity: Generic (generic)
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Method formula (method_formula)
• Collection protocol:
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017; unsd-cpc-3-0-2025

Recovered alloy-steel scrap co-product (recovered_alloy_steel_scrap)

Include sorted scrap as product output only when specifications, ownership transfer, market acceptance, and non-waste status are documented.

• Selected flow: Recovered alloy-steel scrap
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured mass released with product or co-product status
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net conforming reference-product output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_final_conditioning_records
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Waste flows

Alloy-steel offcuts with waste status (steel_offcut_waste)

Include final offcuts only when they leave as waste; do not duplicate mass reported as recovered scrap.

• Selected flow: Alloy-steel offcut waste
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66; Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66; kg
• Amount rule: measured offcut mass sent to the declared waste treatment route
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net conforming reference-product output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_final_conditioning_records
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Elementary flows

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
allocation_subdivision_first	independently metered operations	Avoid allocation by subdividing surface preparation, cold processing, annealing, and final conditioning wherever process-specific records exist.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
allocation_internal_recirculation	internal steel returns and recirculated fluids	Treat material reused within the foreground as an internal loop; report only net boundary exchanges and retain gross records for mass-balance review.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
allocation_scrap_status	alloy-steel residues	Classify each residue once as internal return, recovered scrap co-product, or waste according to documented status and destination; prohibit duplicate mass or automatic avoided-burden credit.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
allocation_shared_campaign	inseparable multi-product campaigns	If subdivision is impossible, allocate shared burdens by measured mass of conforming physically similar steel outputs; disclose product set, factor, excluded nonconforming mass, and sensitivity.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
allocation_system_expansion	separately modelled recovered scrap benefit	Apply substitution outside this foreground only when displaced production, scrap quality, recovery yield, geography, and functional equivalence are documented; report uncredited scrap separately and disclose sensitivity.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

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_surface_preparation_records	surface_preparation	feedstock, energy, chemicals, water, prepared output, and wastes	scales, invoices, batch sheets, make-up logs, meters, and transfer records	date; batch; grade; input/output mass; kWh; acid type; solution mass/concentration; water; waste mass/destination	collect by batch or meter interval and reconcile to orders	kg; kWh; m3 as metered	batch or meter interval, monthly aggregation	representative continuous 12 months	process equipment and direct auxiliaries	sum attributable records, convert electricity to MJ, subtract internal recirculation, normalize	calibration; certificates; tests; batch reconciliation; transfer documents
cp_cold_processing_records	cold_processing	intermediate, electricity, auxiliaries, output, and wastes	scales, orders, route logs, meters, issue logs, and waste records	date; batch; route; dimensions; masses; kWh; lubricant/fluid/abrasive mass; waste destination	collect separately for drawing, grinding, or peeling	kg; kWh	batch or meter interval, monthly aggregation	representative continuous 12 months	cold-processing line and direct auxiliaries	reconcile by route, convert electricity to MJ, normalize to output	calibration; route logs; issue records; transfers; inspection
cp_annealing_records	annealing	charge, gas, electricity, output, and fossil CO2	scales, furnace logs, meters, fuel analysis, and stack or carbon records	date; batch; furnace; masses; temperature cycle; gas and conditions; gas carbon; kWh; fossil CO2	collect each campaign; retain non-operation evidence when absent	kg; m3; kWh; kg CO2	batch or meter interval, monthly aggregation	representative continuous 12 months	furnace and direct controls, fans, and handling	convert electricity, normalize gas, calculate CO2 from collected carbon data or monitoring, normalize	calibration; furnace logs; fuel certificates; worksheet or stack report
cp_final_conditioning_records	final_conditioning	intermediate, electricity, oil, product, waste, and scrap	scales, orders, meters, issue records, inspection, and transfers	date; batch; input mass; kWh; oil; conforming output; waste; scrap; status; destination	collect by batch and reconcile every steel disposition	kg; kWh	batch or meter interval, monthly aggregation	representative continuous 12 months	final operations and dispatch preparation	convert electricity, separate statuses without double counting, normalize to 1,000 kg	calibration; release; issue records; status evidence; mass-balance sign-off

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
calc_reference_normalization	every row	normalized amount = period exchange × 1,000 kg / net conforming reference-product mass	exchange; net product mass	exchange per 1,000 kg product	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
calc_electricity_mj	electricity rows	electricity MJ = metered kWh × 3.6 MJ/kWh, separately by process	process kWh	MJ electricity
calc_material_balance	each process and total foreground	input steel = product + co-product + waste + internal transfers + measured stock change; investigate residual	input/output/stock masses	mass-balance residual	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
calc_fossil_co2	gas-fired annealing	use direct stack measurement or calculate from collected gas, reference-condition conversion, carbon content, and oxidation fraction	gas; conditions; carbon; oxidation or stack result	kg fossil CO2	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
calc_multi_product_allocation	inseparable campaigns	allocated exchange = shared exchange × reference-product conforming mass / total conforming mass of all campaign products	shared exchange; conforming masses	allocated exchange	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
dq_product_identity	product and feedstock	Retain grade, composition/designation, dimensions, tolerances, route, heat-treatment state, surface condition, and exclusion evidence.	supplier certificate and released-product inspection
dq_primary_foreground	all foreground rows	Use primary site records and identify every estimate, allocation, missing interval, and proxy.	meter, scale, batch, invoice, stock, laboratory, and transfer records
dq_temporal_coverage	all foreground rows	Use representative continuous 12-month data; data older than five years require justification and technology comparison.	coverage table and technology-change review
dq_route_separation	cold processing and annealing	Keep drawing, grinding, peeling, and annealing records separate; do not average routes without production-weighted shares.	route-coded production and meter records
dq_completeness	all processes	Reconcile steel mass and energy; list excluded material or emission exchanges individually with relevance justification.	signed balances and exclusion register
dq_uuid_status	selected flows	Resolve each UUID-empty row to an exact public Tiangong flow or retain the explicit unresolved entry; never substitute a proxy.	direct-read audit or manifest unresolved entry

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
validate_identity	product category	Fail if grade, form, cold-processing route, market state, or exclusions are missing, or if the product belongs to an excluded category.	unsd-cpc-3-0-2025; ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
validate_reference_flow	reference product	Fail unless net conforming output is exactly 1,000 kg after normalization and excluded non-product masses are removed.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
validate_route_conditions	conditional operations	Fail if a conditional exchange is positive without its route, or an operated step lacks its atomic inputs and outputs.	ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
validate_energy	electricity and gas	Fail if electricity is pooled with fuel, delivery qualifiers are absent, conversion is inconsistent, or gas conditions and furnace function are undeclared.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
validate_mass_balance	processes and foreground	Fail or correct when steel inputs, outputs, internal transfers, and stock change do not reconcile within documented uncertainty.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
validate_residue_status	steel residues	Fail if residue mass is counted more than once or recovered-scrap product status lacks specifications and transfer evidence.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
validate_data_quality	dataset production	Fail if period, site coverage, route separation, calibration, missing-data treatment, allocation, and exclusions are not disclosed.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
validate_uuid_accounting	inventory identity	Require each inventory row to contain a directly verified public Tiangong UUID or a matching manifest unresolved entry; prohibit proxies.

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	Gate-to-gate foreground dataset eligible for publication as a secondary_dataset or background_dataset after review and UUID resolution
downstream_use	Link qualified upstream alloy-steel and energy datasets, then use in cradle-to-gate product systems, process datasets, or lifecyclemodel projections after boundary checks
allowed_use	Modelling for the declared grade, state, route, site/geography, technology, and period; benchmarking only after harmonizing boundary and allocation
excluded_use	Excluded steel categories or undisclosed average routes; public comparative claims without a study-specific functional unit and review
required_metadata	PCR id; CPC reference; grade; specification; input form; output dimensions/tolerance; delivery form; cold route; surface preparation; annealing/furnace; surface state; site/geography; period; electricity qualifiers; upstream datasets; allocation and scrap status
required_quality_disclosure	primary-data share; 12-month coverage; calibration; mass-balance residual; route shares; missing data and estimates; UUID gaps; range-evidence gaps; exclusions; allocation sensitivity; upstream data age and representativeness
update_trigger	Change in scope, route, annealing technology/fuel, electricity, site boundary, scrap status, allocation, upstream feedstock, route mix, or records older than five years

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
unsd-cpc-3-0-2025	Official guidance (official_guidance)	United Nations Statistics Division, CPC Version 3.0 Structure, 30 June 2025, https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Download/In%20Text/CPC_Ver_3.0_Structure_30Jun2025.csv (retrieved 2026-09-03)	Exact CPC 41264 identity and exclusions relative to 41265, 41271, and 41272
ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022	Official guidance (official_guidance)	European Commission Joint Research Centre, Best Available Techniques Reference Document for the Ferrous Metals Processing Industry, EUR 31321 EN, JRC131649, 2022, https://doi.org/10.2760/196475 (retrieved 2026-09-03)	Boundary and process decomposition for cold drawing, grinding, peeling, finishing, and possible annealing
worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017	Method factor (method_factor)	World Steel Association, Life Cycle Inventory Methodology Report for Steel Products, ISBN 978-2-930069-89-0, 2017, https://worldsteel.org/media/publications/lci-report-2017-pdf/?do_download_id=7f96813a-3756-4842-8dbc-38ce201f2914 (retrieved 2026-09-03)	Mass declared unit, gate-to-gate completeness, primary-data quality, normalization, mass balance, and allocation
china-mof-tariff-2026	Official guidance (official_guidance)	Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China, 国别清单及税目税率表（2026年）, tariff line 72285000, https://m.mof.gov.cn/zcfb/202604/P020260428407579725260.pdf (retrieved 2026-09-03)	Professional Chinese terminology “其他合金钢冷成形或冷加工条、杆” used to verify the localized title