Flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, not further worked than cold-rolled, of a width of less than 600 mm

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR governs foreground data packages for non-alloy steel flat-rolled products that leave the declared factory gate in a cold-rolled product state and have a finished width below 600 mm. It applies to strip or sheet made by cold reduction of hot-rolled non-alloy steel feed, with route-specific pickling, annealing, tempering, slitting, inspection and oiling recorded where actually performed.

The width threshold describes the finished product, not the rolling-line configuration: narrow product may be rolled as narrow strip or obtained by slitting wider cold-rolled strip. Products of alloy or stainless steel, products 600 mm or wider, coated or clad products, and products further worked into fabricated components are excluded. This PCR does not claim that annealing, tempering, slitting or oiling occurs for every product; conditional operations and their exchanges are recorded only when present.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.metal-products-machinery-and-equipment.basic-metals.flat-rolled-products-of-non-alloy-steel-not-further-worked-than-cold-rolled-of-a-width-25b68e7e
classification_refs	CPC 3.0 41222, exact classification context
covered_products	Non-alloy steel cold-rolled strip or sheet with finished width below 600 mm, uncoated and not fabricated beyond the declared cold-rolled product state
excluded_products	Alloy or stainless steel; width 600 mm or more; hot-rolled-only product; coated, plated or clad product; tube, profile, fabricated part or other downstream article
representative_product	Uncoated cold-rolled non-alloy steel strip, supplied as coil or sheet, finished width below 600 mm
production_route	Hot-rolled strip receiving, chemical pickling, cold reduction, conditional annealing and tempering, and finishing or slitting to the declared width
market_state	Net saleable product at factory gate, excluding transport packaging; coil or sheet form and surface protection state declared

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	Conforming non-alloy steel flat-rolled product in the declared cold-rolled state, finished width below 600 mm
How much	1,000 kg net product mass excluding packaging
How well	Product meets the declared steel grade, dimensional tolerances, width threshold, thickness, surface finish, temper or annealing state, and oiling condition
How long or cycle	One production-accounting period representative of routine output; no use-phase service life is represented
reference_flow_link	reference_product_output

Field	Value
Reference amount	1,000 kg
Reference product flow	Flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, not further worked than cold-rolled, width less than 600 mm
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	steel grade or governing standard; non-alloy designation; finished width and thickness; coil or sheet form; full-hard, annealed or tempered state; surface finish and oiling condition; site and geography; production period; pickling acid route; annealing route; slitting route; factory-gate boundary; packaging exclusion

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
measurement_rule_1	Reference product and steel-bearing product or waste flows	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Use calibrated net mass; exclude packaging and reconcile receiving, interstage, conforming output, scale loss and scrap over the same reporting period.
measurement_rule_2	Finished product width	Length	mm	Measure finished width using the site's controlled dimensional method and confirm every represented product is below 600 mm; preserve the instrument, sampling plan and result.
measurement_rule_3	Electricity	Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66	MJ	Preserve source meter readings; convert kWh to MJ using 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ and disclose any allocation from a shared meter.
measurement_rule_4	Gaseous fuels and atmosphere gases	Volume 93a60a56-a3c8-22da-a746-0800200c9a66	m3	Preserve metered volume together with temperature, absolute pressure, moisture basis and any standard-state conversion.
measurement_rule_5	Acid solutions and rolling fluids	Mass	kg	Report solution or mixture mass and separately preserve concentration, active-content basis, recirculation and make-up definition; do not report active chemical mass as solution mass.
measurement_rule_6	Reporting-period normalization	Mass	kg per 1,000 kg	Normalize each exchange from the same production period to 1,000 kg net conforming output after applying the allocation rules.

5. System Boundary

The foreground boundary begins with receipt of hot-rolled non-alloy steel strip and ends with net conforming cold-rolled product after final width control at the factory gate. It includes chemical pickling, cold reduction, conditional annealing and atmosphere generation at the line, conditional tempering, finishing, slitting, direct utilities, direct emissions, on-site treatment attributable to these operations, and outgoing process wastes. Production of hot-rolled feed, purchased chemicals, electricity, gas and water is represented by linked upstream datasets. Customer transport, use, downstream fabrication and end-of-life are outside this gate-to-gate boundary.

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
system_boundary_rule_1	Foreground start and end	Start at hot-rolled strip receipt and end at net conforming product after finishing and width verification; keep packaging outside the reference product mass.	ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
system_boundary_rule_2	Conditional routes	Include annealing, atmosphere gases, tempering, slitting, protective oil and their exchanges only when actual production records show that operation for the represented product.	ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
system_boundary_rule_3	Treatment and recycling loops	Record make-up inputs and net outputs crossing each foreground process boundary; do not count internally recirculated acid, emulsion, cooling water or internally returned scrap as a new external exchange.	ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
system_boundary_rule_4	Excluded life-cycle stages	Exclude customer transport, use, downstream fabrication and end-of-life; require linked datasets for all purchased inputs crossing the foreground start boundary.

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Hot-rolled non-alloy steel strip received at the cold-rolling site, with mass, grade, width, thickness, surface condition, supplier and upstream dataset declared
starting_condition_role	Upstream product input to the foreground cold-rolling system
product_classification_scope	Semantic product boundary for non-alloy steel flat-rolled product in a cold-rolled state with finished width below 600 mm; CPC 3.0 41222 is mapping context only
recursive_input_rule	If externally supplied cold-rolled product in the same category enters the foreground system, record it as an upstream product input with its own provider dataset and do not regenerate its inherited production burden inside this foreground model
upstream_dataset_requirement	Link provider datasets for hot-rolled strip, each acid or chemical, water, alternating-current electricity, natural gas, atmosphere gas and other purchased product input
disclosure	Declare site, geography, period, steel grade, product form, actual route, excluded operations, internal-loop accounting, treatment boundary and any same-category input

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
chemical_pickling	Chemical pickling	required	Include chemical scale removal before cold rolling; record each acid route actually used.	Remove oxide scale and rinse strip before reduction.	Mass of pickled_strip_output
cold_rolling	Cold rolling	required	Include cold reduction without prior heating and the associated lubricant circuit.	Reduce thickness and establish the cold-rolled strip state.	Mass of cold_rolled_strip_output
annealing	Annealing	conditional	Include only when product records require post-rolling heat treatment; preserve batch or continuous and gas-fired or electric route.	Restore or adjust ductility and metallurgical properties.	Mass of annealed_strip_output
finishing	Finishing and width control	required	Include inspection and dimensional control; include tempering, slitting, trimming and oiling only when performed.	Establish conforming width, form, surface condition and final output.	1,000 kg reference_product_output

Process: Chemical pickling (chemical_pickling)

Inputs

Product flows

Received hot-rolled non-alloy steel strip (hot_rolled_strip_input)

Record the hot-rolled non-alloy steel strip entering the foreground line before scale removal. Preserve its actual as-received width class because the finished product may be rolled as narrow strip or slit from wider strip.

• Selected flow: Hot-rolled non-alloy steel strip
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured net input mass from calibrated receiving or line scales, excluding packaging; retain the as-received width, thickness and hot-rolled product state
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass_balance
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Hydrochloric acid for pickling (hydrochloric_acid_input)

Record hydrochloric acid only when the foreground pickling route uses it; preserve delivered concentration and solution state.

• Selected flow: Hydrochloric acid solution
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured delivered or tank-balance mass of solution and separately recorded mass fraction; not applicable when absent
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_pickling_chemicals
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Sulfuric acid for pickling (sulfuric_acid_input)

Record sulfuric acid only when the foreground pickling route uses it; preserve delivered concentration and solution state.

• Selected flow: Sulfuric acid solution
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured delivered or tank-balance mass of solution and separately recorded mass fraction; not applicable when absent
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_pickling_chemicals
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Pickling rinse water (pickling_rinse_water)

Record supplied water crossing the process boundary for rinsing pickled strip.

• Selected flow: Process Water 94a04f7e-2d5c-41f0-b182-d54a3b373a02
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: convert metered make-up volume allocated to the pickling line to kg using the measured or supplier-declared density at recorded reference conditions; retain volume, density and conditions
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_process_water
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Electricity for pickling (pickling_electricity)

Record alternating-current electricity delivered to pickling, strip handling, pumps and associated line equipment.

• Selected flow: Alternating current 455f0ef5-6118-4f2b-a3f5-1f75e0afe3ca
• Flow property / unit: Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66 / MJ; unit group Units of energy 93a60a57-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: metered electricity converted from kWh to MJ by multiplying by 3.6; allocate shared meters by logged operating time and rated load
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_electricity_meters
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Pickled non-alloy steel strip intermediate (pickled_strip_output)

Record the cleaned strip passed from pickling to cold rolling as a foreground internal intermediate.

• Selected flow: Pickled hot-rolled non-alloy steel strip
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured or reconciled interstage net mass after pickling
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass_balance
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Spent hydrochloric pickling liquor (spent_hydrochloric_acid_waste)

Record separately the spent hydrochloric liquor transferred to regeneration, treatment or off-site management.

• Selected flow: Spent hydrochloric pickling liquor
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured transfer mass with route and acid concentration recorded; not applicable when the hydrochloric route is absent
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_pickling_residuals
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Spent sulfuric pickling liquor (spent_sulfuric_acid_waste)

Record separately the spent sulfuric liquor transferred to regeneration, treatment or off-site management.

• Selected flow: Spent sulfuric pickling liquor
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured transfer mass with route and acid concentration recorded; not applicable when the sulfuric route is absent
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_pickling_residuals
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Iron-bearing pickling sludge (iron_pickling_sludge)

Record iron-bearing sludge removed from treatment of pickling baths or acidic wastewater.

• Selected flow: Iron-bearing pickling wastewater-treatment sludge
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured wet mass with dry-solids fraction and destination recorded
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_pickling_residuals
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Acidic pickling rinse wastewater (acidic_pickling_wastewater)

Record the specific acidic rinse-water stream discharged to on-site or off-site treatment.

• Selected flow: Acidic wastewater from pickling rinse
• Flow property / unit: Volume / m3
• Amount rule: metered or water-balance volume with pH, treatment state and destination recorded
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_pickling_residuals
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Elementary flows

Hydrogen chloride emission to air (hydrogen_chloride_air)

Record measured hydrogen chloride released after abatement to the applicable air compartment.

• Selected flow: hydrogen chloride fe0acd60-3ddc-11dd-aab0-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: stack measurement or validated emission calculation for hydrogen chloride only; not applicable when demonstrably absent
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_stack_emissions
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Process: Cold rolling (cold_rolling)

Inputs

Product flows

Pickled strip entering cold rolling (pickled_strip_input)

Record the pickled non-alloy steel strip entering the cold mill as the mass-balance counterpart of the prior intermediate.

• Selected flow: Pickled hot-rolled non-alloy steel strip
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured or reconciled interstage net mass entering the cold mill
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass_balance
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Cold-rolling emulsion concentrate (cold_rolling_emulsion_input)

Record the water-miscible mineral-oil lubricant concentrate added to the cold-rolling emulsion circuit.

• Selected flow: Water-miscible cold-rolling lubricant concentrate
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured make-up concentrate mass from issue or tank-balance records
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_rolling_fluids
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Rolling-emulsion make-up water (rolling_makeup_water)

Record supplied water added to the cold-rolling emulsion circuit.

• Selected flow: Process Water 94a04f7e-2d5c-41f0-b182-d54a3b373a02
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: convert metered or batch-record make-up volume to kg using the measured or supplier-declared density at recorded reference conditions; retain volume, density and conditions
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_process_water
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Electricity for cold rolling (rolling_electricity)

Record alternating-current electricity delivered to mill drives, pumps, strip handling and cold-rolling auxiliaries.

• Selected flow: Alternating current 455f0ef5-6118-4f2b-a3f5-1f75e0afe3ca
• Flow property / unit: Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66 / MJ; unit group Units of energy 93a60a57-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: metered electricity converted from kWh to MJ by multiplying by 3.6; allocate shared meters by logged operating time and rated load
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_electricity_meters
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Cold-rolled strip intermediate (cold_rolled_strip_output)

Record cold-rolled non-alloy steel strip leaving the reduction mill before any declared post-rolling treatment.

• Selected flow: Cold-rolled non-alloy steel strip intermediate
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured or reconciled interstage net mass after cold rolling
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass_balance
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Spent cold-rolling emulsion (spent_rolling_emulsion)

Record spent water-oil emulsion removed from the rolling circuit for treatment or off-site management.

• Selected flow: Spent water-oil cold-rolling emulsion
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured removed mass with water fraction, treatment state and destination recorded
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_rolling_fluids
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Elementary flows

Mineral-oil aerosol emission to air (rolling_oil_mist_air)

Record mineral-oil aerosol released after extraction and abatement to the applicable air compartment.

• Selected flow: Mineral-oil aerosol
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: stack measurement or validated emission calculation for mineral-oil aerosol only
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_stack_emissions
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Process: Annealing (annealing)

Inputs

Product flows

Cold-rolled strip entering annealing (cold_rolled_strip_annealing_input)

Record cold-rolled strip entering annealing when the declared product specification requires post-rolling heat treatment.

• Selected flow: Cold-rolled non-alloy steel strip intermediate for annealing
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured or reconciled interstage mass; not applicable for products delivered without annealing
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass_balance
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Natural gas for annealing (natural_gas_input)

Record gaseous natural gas delivered to the annealing furnace when that fuel route is used.

• Selected flow: natural gas in the gaseous state 4f19ca0e-7b3b-11dd-ad8b-0800200c9a66
• Flow property / unit: Volume 93a60a56-a3c8-22da-a746-0800200c9a66 / m3; unit group Units of volume 93a60a57-a3c8-12da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: metered gas volume with temperature and absolute pressure reference conditions retained; not applicable for non-gas-fired annealing
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_annealing_fuels
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Electricity for annealing (annealing_electricity)

Record alternating-current electricity delivered to annealing furnaces, atmosphere systems, fans and strip handling.

• Selected flow: Alternating current 455f0ef5-6118-4f2b-a3f5-1f75e0afe3ca
• Flow property / unit: Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66 / MJ; unit group Units of energy 93a60a57-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: metered electricity converted from kWh to MJ by multiplying by 3.6; allocate shared meters by logged operating time and rated load
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_electricity_meters
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Nitrogen annealing atmosphere (nitrogen_atmosphere_input)

Record industrial nitrogen supplied to the annealing atmosphere only when used.

• Selected flow: Nitrogen gas 96ba4c16-fd7c-424e-b318-d87484d3d7c0
• Flow property / unit: Volume 93a60a56-a3c8-22da-a746-0800200c9a66 / m3; unit group Units of volume 93a60a57-a3c8-12da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: metered or supplier-record volume with reference conditions and purity recorded; not applicable when absent
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_annealing_atmosphere
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Hydrogen annealing atmosphere (hydrogen_atmosphere_input)

Record industrial hydrogen supplied to the annealing atmosphere only when used.

• Selected flow: Industrial hydrogen gas
• Flow property / unit: Volume / m3
• Amount rule: metered or supplier-record volume with reference conditions and purity recorded; not applicable when absent
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_annealing_atmosphere
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Annealed strip intermediate (annealed_strip_output)

Record annealed non-alloy steel strip transferred to finishing when annealing is included.

• Selected flow: Annealed cold-rolled non-alloy steel strip intermediate
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured or reconciled interstage net mass after annealing; not applicable when annealing is absent
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass_balance
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Fossil carbon dioxide emission to air (fossil_co2_air)

Record direct fossil carbon dioxide from combustion of natural gas in the annealing furnace.

• Selected flow: carbon dioxide (fossil) 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-923d-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: continuous or periodic stack measurement, or fuel-carbon balance using the measured furnace fuel; not applicable when no fossil fuel is combusted
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_stack_emissions
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Nitrogen monoxide emission to air (nitrogen_monoxide_air)

Record nitrogen monoxide released after furnace abatement as its own chemical species.

• Selected flow: Nitrogen monoxide
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: stack measurement or validated species-resolved emission calculation; not applicable when demonstrably absent
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_stack_emissions
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Nitrogen dioxide emission to air (nitrogen_dioxide_air)

Record nitrogen dioxide released after furnace abatement separately from nitrogen monoxide.

• Selected flow: Nitrogen dioxide
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: stack measurement or validated species-resolved emission calculation; not applicable when demonstrably absent
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_stack_emissions
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Process: Finishing and width control (finishing)

Inputs

Product flows

Strip entering finishing (strip_finishing_input)

Record the cold-rolled or annealed strip entering final inspection, tempering when applicable, slitting, trimming and oiling.

• Selected flow: Cold-rolled non-alloy steel strip intermediate for finishing
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured or reconciled interstage mass entering finishing
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass_balance
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Protective oil applied in finishing (protective_oil_input)

Record one specified anticorrosive oil or pre-lubricant applied to the finished strip when required by the product specification.

• Selected flow: Anticorrosive steel-strip protective oil
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured oil consumption assigned to conforming product; not applicable for unoiled product
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_finishing_oil
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Reference cold-rolled product (reference_product_output)

Record only conforming non-alloy steel flat-rolled product whose finished width is below 600 mm and whose declared state satisfies this PCR.

• Selected flow: Flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, not further worked than cold-rolled, width less than 600 mm
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured net conforming product mass at the factory gate, excluding packaging
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass_balance
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Ferrous edge-trim scrap (ferrous_trim_scrap)

Record segregated ferrous edge-trim scrap leaving finishing for recycling or other management.

• Selected flow: Ferrous edge-trim scrap from cold-rolled non-alloy steel
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured scrap mass with destination and any internal return recorded; not applicable when no trimming scrap leaves the process
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass_balance
• Sources: ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Elementary flows

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
allocation_rule_1	Process subdivision	Avoid allocation by using process-specific meters, batch records and mass balances for pickling, rolling, annealing and finishing.
allocation_rule_2	Shared utilities	Allocate a shared meter to represented production using logged operating time and measured or rated load; disclose formula, denominator, other users and sensitivity.
allocation_rule_3	Internal loops	Assign no new external input or output to acid, emulsion, cooling water or scrap recirculated within the declared foreground boundary; record only make-up and net exported quantities.	ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
allocation_rule_4	Conforming product and exported ferrous scrap	First subdivide direct scrap-generating operations. If inseparable burdens remain, allocate those burdens by measured dry mass between conforming output and exported ferrous scrap, without avoided-burden credit, and disclose the treatment in the downstream model.
allocation_rule_5	Off-specification steel	Return internally reprocessed steel to the mass balance without a second production burden; treat steel leaving the boundary as its specific waste or co-product flow and disclose destination.	ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

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_steel_mass_balance	all foreground processes	steel inputs, intermediates, product and scrap	scale and production record	timestamp, batch or coil id, flow role, gross mass, tare, net mass, grade, width, disposition	Reconcile calibrated scale records by coil or batch and reporting period.	kg	each coil or batch	same representative production period	all included lines at one declared site	Sum net mass by row, then normalize after allocation.	calibration certificate, batch trace and signed mass-balance reconciliation
cp_pickling_chemicals	chemical_pickling	hydrochloric or sulfuric acid input	delivery, tank and batch record	chemical identity, concentration, delivered mass, opening stock, closing stock, return, route	Reconcile purchases and tank inventory; keep each acid separate.	kg solution	each delivery and monthly stocktake	same representative production period	included pickling line and storage	opening plus receipts minus closing minus documented transfers	supplier specification, weigh ticket and tank calibration
cp_process_water	chemical_pickling and cold_rolling	rinse or make-up water	meter and batch record	meter id, opening reading, closing reading, batch addition, purpose, water density, density temperature and reference conditions	Read submeter or reconcile documented batch additions; separate recirculation from make-up; convert net volume to mass using measured or supplier-declared density.	m3 and kg	shift or batch	same representative production period	included process water users	Sum the converted make-up mass by row while retaining raw volume and density records.	meter calibration, density evidence and water-balance closure
cp_electricity_meters	chemical_pickling, cold_rolling and annealing	alternating-current electricity	meter and operating log	meter id, opening kWh, closing kWh, process runtime, load, downtime	Use submeter readings; where shared, apply allocation_rule_2.	kWh and MJ	shift or meter interval	same representative production period	included line equipment and auxiliaries	Sum kWh, allocate if needed, multiply by 3.6 and normalize.	meter calibration, interval export and allocation worksheet
cp_pickling_residuals	chemical_pickling	spent liquor, sludge and acidic wastewater	transfer, tank, scale and treatment record	stream id, mass or volume, concentration, dry solids, pH, treatment state, destination	Measure each chemically distinct stream at transfer or treatment boundary.	kg or m3	each transfer and monthly reconciliation	same representative production period	included pickling and attributable treatment	Sum each row separately; never combine acid routes.	manifest, laboratory result and treatment log
cp_rolling_fluids	cold_rolling	lubricant make-up and spent emulsion	issue, tank and treatment record	product id, mass, water fraction, opening stock, closing stock, removal, destination	Reconcile lubricant stock and measured removed emulsion separately.	kg	batch and monthly stocktake	same representative production period	cold mill emulsion circuit	Sum make-up and removed quantities by row.	product specification, stock ledger and waste manifest
cp_annealing_fuels	annealing	gaseous natural gas	custody meter record	meter id, volume, temperature, pressure, moisture basis, fuel period	Read dedicated or allocated fuel meter and preserve reference conditions.	m3	meter interval	same representative production period	included gas-fired furnace	Sum condition-consistent volume and normalize.	meter calibration and fuel invoice reconciliation
cp_annealing_atmosphere	annealing	nitrogen or hydrogen atmosphere gas	flowmeter and supplier record	gas identity, purity, volume, temperature, pressure, batch or interval	Measure each gas separately and preserve supply state and standard conditions.	m3	batch or meter interval	same representative production period	included atmosphere system	Sum each gas separately and normalize.	flowmeter calibration and supplier certificate
cp_stack_emissions	chemical_pickling, cold_rolling and annealing	one specified air pollutant	stack test, continuous monitor or calculation record	species, concentration, flow, time, moisture, oxygen correction, abatement state, method	Determine each chemical species separately using a documented measurement or validated calculation.	kg	campaign or continuous interval	representative operating conditions within the production period	included exhaust points after abatement	Integrate mass over represented operation and normalize.	test report, monitor QA record or calculation with inputs
cp_finishing_oil	finishing	protective oil input	issue and applicator record	oil product, mass issued, opening stock, closing stock, coil ids, oiling setting	Reconcile oil stock to oiled conforming coils; do not assign to unoiled product.	kg	coil or batch	same representative production period	included finishing line	Sum oil assigned to represented coils and normalize.	product specification, stock record and coil trace

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
calculation_rule_1	All inventory rows	normalized amount = allocated reporting-period exchange × 1,000 / net kg conforming reference product	row exchange, allocation result, reference_product_output mass	row amount per 1,000 kg
calculation_rule_2	Electricity	MJ = metered kWh × 3.6	metered kWh	electricity in MJ
calculation_rule_3	Steel mass balance	mass-balance difference = steel input − conforming product − net exported steel-bearing outputs − measured process loss; investigate sign and magnitude rather than forcing closure	calibrated steel mass records	disclosed mass-balance check
calculation_rule_4	Conditional rows	A conditional row is not applicable only when route records demonstrate absence; zero and missing are not interchangeable.	route log, product specification, row record	applicability flag and amount	ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
calculation_rule_5	Gas volume	Use only volumes at the same declared reference temperature, absolute pressure and moisture basis; document any conversion without deleting raw meter values.	raw volume and reference conditions	condition-consistent m3
calculation_rule_6	Process Water rows	water mass (kg) = metered net make-up volume (m3) × measured or supplier-declared density (kg/m3) at documented reference conditions	raw make-up volume, density and density reference conditions	Process Water mass in kg

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
data_quality_1	Product identity	Each represented coil or sheet batch must prove non-alloy steel identity, cold-rolled state and finished width below 600 mm.	grade certificate, route record and dimensional inspection
data_quality_2	Temporal representativeness	Use a continuous period covering routine operation and all included route steps; explain shutdowns, trials, abnormal production and substitutions.	production calendar and exception log
data_quality_3	Completeness	Reconcile steel, acid or fluid stocks, water, electricity, furnace energy, atmosphere gases, exported wastes and direct species-resolved emissions; document exclusions.	signed reconciliation and completeness checklist
data_quality_4	Geography and technology	Declare site geography, mill configuration, pickling acid, annealing configuration, abatement and finishing route.	site description, process diagram and equipment list
data_quality_5	Traceability	Retain raw readings, conversions, allocation workbooks, laboratory reports and provider-dataset identifiers from published values back to source records.	auditable data lineage package
data_quality_6	UUID readiness	Preserve unresolved flow identity explicitly; do not substitute a broader, differently classified or differently stated Tiangong flow.	UUID audit log and unresolved-row register

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
validation_rule_1	Reference product	Fail if net reference output is not 1,000 kg after normalization, if packaging is included, or if finished width is not strictly below 600 mm.	unsd-cpc-3-0-structure-2025
validation_rule_2	Product boundary	Fail if alloy or stainless steel, hot-rolled-only, coated or clad product, width 600 mm or more, or a fabricated downstream article is represented as the reference product.	unsd-cpc-3-0-structure-2025
validation_rule_3	Route applicability	Fail if a conditional operation or exchange is populated without route evidence, or marked not applicable despite records showing it occurred.	ec-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
validation_rule_4	Inventory atomicity	Fail if any row combines multiple fuels, utilities, acids, gases, wastes or emission species, or if a UUID-empty row is absent from the manifest unresolved register.
validation_rule_5	Energy and gas units	Fail if kWh-to-MJ conversion differs from 3.6, or if gas volumes with different reference conditions are aggregated without documented conversion.
validation_rule_6	Steel mass balance	Fail if the steel mass-balance result is missing; flag any unexplained difference and require correction or disclosure before release.
validation_rule_7	Allocation	Fail if shared utilities or inseparable exported scrap burdens lack the required allocation formula, denominator, records and sensitivity disclosure.
validation_rule_8	Evidence and traceability	Fail if the reporting period, site scope, raw records, meter or scale quality evidence, source ids or provider datasets needed to reproduce a material result are missing.

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	Foreground gate-to-gate production data package for a declared non-alloy cold-rolled flat steel product below 600 mm in width
downstream_use	Construction of TianGong flow, process and lifecyclemodel records and linked LCA studies using the declared product and route
allowed_use	Product-specific or site-specific modelling when required qualifiers, provider datasets, allocation, period and geography are retained
excluded_use	Alloy or stainless steel, width 600 mm or more, coated or fabricated products, generic market averages without representativeness review, or cradle-to-grave claims without added stages
required_metadata	PCR id; CPC mapping context; steel grade; width; thickness; form; temper or annealing state; surface and oiling state; site; geography; period; process route; allocation; reference conditions; provider datasets; unresolved UUIDs
required_quality_disclosure	Completeness and mass-balance results; meter and scale quality; temporal, geographical and technological representativeness; conditional-route evidence; treatment destinations; allocation sensitivity; unresolved flows and absent ranges
update_trigger	Change in steel grade family, width class, mill route, pickling acid, annealing technology or fuel, finishing route, abatement, allocation, site, reporting period, provider dataset, or material data-quality finding

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
unsd-cpc-3-0-structure-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	Exact CPC 41222 classification title and finished-width product identity
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, 2022, JRC131649, https://doi.org/10.2760/196475	Cold-rolling process sequence, chemical pickling, cold reduction, annealing, tempering, finishing, slitting, oil and water circuits, wastes and direct-emission collection scope