Flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, not further worked than hot-rolled, of a width of 600 mm or more

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR applies to unfabricated flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel with a finished width of at least 600 mm, delivered from the steelworks after hot rolling and no further metallurgical working. It covers coil and cut sheet or plate delivery, including as-rolled and pickled delivery states. Temporary oiling may accompany a pickled product when it is only corrosion protection and is declared separately; clad, plated, painted, polymer-coated, or otherwise coated products are outside the category.

The PCR supports foreground data packages for a high-frequency basic material used across electrical equipment, photovoltaic support systems, construction, and general manufacturing. Its canonical need is methodological rather than classification coverage: steelmaking route, slab supply, external recycled input, internal home scrap, hot-rolling yield, coil-versus-plate finishing, and optional pickling can materially change the inventory and must remain visible.

Cold-rolled products, stainless steel, alloy steel, products narrower than 600 mm, coated products, and downstream manufacture of components are excluded. Slitting below 600 mm, profiling, stamping, bending, welding, drilling, galvanizing, painting, assembly, and fabrication of brackets, frames, sections, enclosures, or other components belong to downstream product systems.

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-hot-rolled-of-a-width-o-fbbe0da4
classification_refs	CPC 3.0:41211 (exact classification scope; accepted mapping is governed separately)
covered_products	Uncoated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel, width at least 600 mm, in coil, sheet, or plate form, not further worked than hot-rolled; as-rolled or pickled surface state
excluded_products	Cold-rolled steel; stainless or other alloy steel; width below 600 mm; clad, plated, galvanized, painted, polymer-coated, or otherwise coated products; downstream fabricated components
representative_product	Production-mix hot-rolled non-alloy steel coil at the steelworks gate; plate or sheet delivery remains in scope when its delivery form is declared and a matching product-flow identity is used
production_route	Declare BF-BOF, scrap-EAF, DRI-EAF, another reviewed route, or purchased-slab hot rolling; identify continuous or ingot casting where material and do not aggregate routes without a documented production-weighted basis
market_state	Net product ready for dispatch at the steelworks gate, as coil or cut sheet/plate, with grade, thickness, width, surface state, edge condition, and pickling/oiling status declared

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	Provision at the steelworks gate of flat-rolled non-alloy steel, width at least 600 mm, not further worked than hot-rolled
How much	1 metric tonne (1,000 kg) net product mass, excluding packaging
How well	Conforms to the declared steel grade and dimensional specification; delivery form, surface state, production route, recycled-input categories, and pickling/coating boundary are declared
How long or cycle	One identified production campaign or a production-weighted period normally covering 12 consecutive months
reference_flow_link	ref_hot_rolled_non_alloy_steel

Field	Value
Reference amount	1,000 kg net product at the steelworks gate
Reference product flow	Steel hot rolled coil 2126a80d-1cd0-46e4-8f30-341bd20a1d64
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 specification; thickness; finished width; coil or sheet/plate delivery; as-rolled or pickled surface state; edge condition; BF-BOF, scrap-EAF, DRI-EAF, other reviewed route, or purchased-slab route; external pre-consumer and post-consumer scrap shares; internally recirculated home scrap; pickling included or excluded; coating absent; geography; production period

The selected UUID is the default representative identity for production-mix hot-rolled coil because its verified Tiangong row is CPC 41211, uses Mass as its quantitative reference, and does not restrict the steelmaking route to one named technology. A plate or sheet data package shall use a verified plate-specific CPC 41211 product flow when available and shall not reuse the coil UUID merely to fill a required field. The narrower BF-route flow 4f1a1835-7b3b-11dd-ad8b-0800200c9a66 and the metadata-conflicted flow ce3ac926-5d6f-4558-9edc-67179d93dde4 are candidates only, not defaults.

When constructing a foreground data package, every item in Required qualifiers must appear in dataset metadata, the process description, the reference-flow comment, the product description, or an equivalent field. Missing qualifiers make the reference flow incomplete.

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
reference_mass	final reference product	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Use measured net product mass at the steelworks gate; exclude pallets, straps, wrappers, and other packaging from the reference amount and inventory packaging separately.
product_dimensions	final reference product	declared dimensions	mm	Record finished thickness and width and verify width is at least 600 mm; retain the applicable specification and measurement basis.
delivery_surface_state	final reference product	declared attribute	n/a	Record coil or sheet/plate delivery, as-rolled or pickled state, edge condition, and temporary oiling; reject any product whose declared state includes cold rolling or a clad, plated, painted, polymer, metallic, or other coating.
route_and_recycled_input	steel and slab supply	mass and declared route	kg and % by mass	Report steelmaking route and externally supplied pre-consumer and post-consumer scrap separately from internally recirculated home scrap; state the recycled-content method and denominator.
energy_accounting	fuels, electricity, steam, and recovered process gases	energy or mass/volume with energy conversion	MJ, kWh, kg, or m3	Preserve measured billing or meter units and document net-calorific-value and other conversion factors; prevent double counting of internally generated and reused process gases.
water_accounting	water withdrawal, recirculation, and discharge	volume	m3	Record withdrawal, make-up, recirculated, evaporated, and discharged water separately; do not treat closed-loop recirculation as a new withdrawal.

5. System Boundary

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Declare whether the foreground starts with integrated raw-material and steelmaking operations or with purchased continuously cast or ingot-cast non-alloy steel slab; identify slab grade, route, supplier geography, recycled-input basis, and upstream dataset.
starting_condition_role	The starting condition prevents an undefined mixture of cradle-to-gate steel production and gate-to-gate hot rolling.
product_classification_scope	CPC 3.0:41211, restricted to uncoated non-alloy flat products at least 600 mm wide and not further worked than hot-rolled.
recursive_input_rule	A purchased product already in this PCR category remains a visible product input with a separate upstream dataset; do not recursively reapply this PCR or relabel it as unprocessed slab.
upstream_dataset_requirement	Every purchased slab, hot metal, DRI, or same-category steel input requires a geographically, temporally, technologically, and recycled-input-representative upstream dataset or an explicit documented proxy.
disclosure	State cradle-to-gate or gate-to-gate scope, steelmaking route, casting route, product form, grade, dimensions, surface state, pickling and oiling, coating exclusion, recycled-input categories, co-product treatment, packaging, geography, and production period.

Normative boundary rules:

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
boundary_scope_basis	declared foreground system	A cradle-to-gate package shall include raw-material and energy supply, steelmaking and casting, hot rolling, on-site ancillary services, wastewater and waste treatment, and dispatch preparation; a gate-to-gate package may start with purchased slab only when the upstream slab dataset and boundary are linked and disclosed.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
boundary_hot_rolling_core	hot-rolling foreground	Include input storage and handling, applicable surface conditioning, reheating, descaling, roughing and width reduction, rolling to final dimensions and properties, cooling, coiling for strip, cutting for sheet or plate, trimming, roll-shop burdens, internal transport, utilities, direct emissions, water circuits, and waste management.	eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022; worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
boundary_pickling_state	pickled or oiled delivery	Include pickling, rinsing, acid recovery or neutralisation, associated energy and water, effluent and sludge treatment, direct emissions, and temporary oiling only when the dispatched product is declared pickled or pickled-and-oiled; otherwise exclude these operations.	eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022; worldsteel-hrc-eco-profile-2022
boundary_product_exclusions	product eligibility	Exclude cold rolling, stainless or other alloy steel, width below 600 mm, cladding, plating, galvanizing, painting, polymer or other coating, and downstream slitting below the category width, forming, machining, welding, assembly, or component fabrication.	unsd-cpc-3-2025; unsd-hs-7208; aisc-steel-construction-pcr-2025
boundary_route_separation	route and product mix	Keep BF-BOF, scrap-EAF, DRI-EAF, and purchased-slab routes separate unless a production-weighted mix is required and the weighting period, product equivalence, geography, and route shares are documented.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017; worldsteel-hrc-eco-profile-2022
boundary_packaging	dispatch preparation	Include packaging that accompanies the product to the gate as a separate inventory input while keeping it outside the net reference-product mass.	worldsteel-lci-study-2021

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
p_slab_supply	Steelmaking and slab supply	conditional	Include as foreground when steelmaking or casting is controlled by the reporting organization; otherwise link a representative upstream slab dataset.	Establish route, metallic charge, recycled inputs, casting, and slab burden.	kg cast slab supplied to hot rolling
p_hot_rolling	Slab reheating, descaling, and hot rolling	required	Always included.	Convert slab to hot-rolled strip or plate while recording yield, energy, water, direct emissions, scale, scrap, and wastes.	kg hot-rolled intermediate leaving the rolling line
p_pickling	Hot-rolled product pickling and temporary oiling	conditional	Include only for a dispatched pickled or pickled-and-oiled surface state.	Remove oxide scale and prepare the declared uncoated surface without cold rolling or coating.	kg pickled hot-rolled product
p_finishing_dispatch	Finishing and dispatch preparation	required	Always included.	Cool, coil or cut, trim, inspect, package, and release the qualifying product at the steelworks gate.	1,000 kg net qualifying product dispatched

Process: Steelmaking and slab supply (p_slab_supply)

Inputs

Product flows

Metallic charge and reductants (metallic_charge)

Record ore-based metallics, hot metal, DRI/HBI, purchased scrap, ferro-materials, carbon sources, and fluxes used for the declared route. Keep external pre-consumer and post-consumer scrap separate from home scrap.

• Selected flow: Route-specific metallic charge and reductant flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured receipts and stock-adjusted consumption attributable to slab production
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Route-specific (route_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg cast slab supplied to hot rolling
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_route_and_slab_supply

Steelmaking energy and utilities (steelmaking_energy)

Record purchased electricity, fuels, oxygen, steam, and other utilities, with internally generated process gases reported separately to prevent double counting.

• Selected flow: Route-specific energy-carrier and utility flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Energy, mass, or volume / MJ, kWh, kg, or m3
• Amount rule: metered use or reconciled site energy balance attributable to slab production
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Route-specific (route_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg cast slab supplied to hot rolling
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_and_fuels

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Cast non-alloy steel slab (cast_slab_output)

Record qualifying non-alloy steel slab transferred to the hot-rolling line and retain grade, casting route, and batch or campaign linkage.

• Selected flow: Non-alloy steel slab; Tiangong UUID unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured cast slab transferred to hot rolling
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg cast slab supplied to hot rolling
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_route_and_slab_supply

Steelmaking co-products and recovered materials (steelmaking_coproducts)

Record each exported co-product or recovered material separately with destination, quality, market demand, and allocation treatment; internally reused material remains an internal transfer.

• Selected flow: Co-product-specific product flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass or energy / kg or MJ
• Amount rule: measured net export by co-product after internal reuse
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg cast slab supplied to hot rolling
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_coproducts_and_recovery

Waste flows

Steelmaking residues sent to treatment (steelmaking_residues)

Record slags, dusts, sludges, spent refractories, and other residues by treatment destination after subtracting verified internal reuse or external recovery.

• Selected flow: Residue-specific waste flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: weighed or reconciled net residue sent to treatment
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg cast slab supplied to hot rolling
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_mass_outputs_and_waste

Elementary flows

Direct steelmaking emissions (steelmaking_direct_emissions)

Record measured or permitted direct releases to air and water at the point they cross the site boundary; do not substitute regulatory limits for measured inventory values.

• Selected flow: Substance- and compartment-specific elementary flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: monitored release or calculation from documented concentration and flow measurements
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg cast slab supplied to hot rolling
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_direct_emissions

Process: Slab reheating, descaling, and hot rolling (p_hot_rolling)

Inputs

Product flows

Non-alloy steel slab feed (slab_feed)

Record the slab mass entering the rolling line with grade, casting route, supplier or internal batch, route, and upstream dataset link.

• Selected flow: Non-alloy steel slab; Tiangong UUID unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured slab charged to the reheating or direct-charging line
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg hot-rolled intermediate output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_route_and_slab_supply

Reheating fuels and recovered gases (reheating_energy)

Record purchased fuels and internally generated process gases consumed by reheating, including measured quantity and net calorific value, with internal gas transfers reconciled once.

• Selected flow: Fuel- and gas-specific product flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Energy, mass, or volume / MJ, kg, or m3
• Amount rule: metered or reconciled reheating-furnace consumption
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg hot-rolled intermediate output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_and_fuels

Rolling-line electricity (rolling_electricity)

Record electricity for descaling pumps, stands, drives, cooling, coilers, cutting, extraction, water treatment, and attributable ancillary equipment.

• Selected flow: Geography-specific electricity product flow; Tiangong UUID unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Energy / kWh
• Amount rule: metered electricity or documented allocation from a reconciled site meter hierarchy
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg hot-rolled intermediate output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_and_fuels

Rolling and descaling water (rolling_water)

Record make-up and withdrawn water separately from recirculated water for descaling, roll cooling, strip or plate cooling, and scale transport.

• Selected flow: Source-specific water product or elementary flow; Tiangong UUID unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Volume / m3
• Amount rule: metered withdrawal and make-up water; report recirculation separately
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg hot-rolled intermediate output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water_balance

Rolling consumables (rolling_consumables)

Record lubricants, hydraulic fluids, roll consumption, water-treatment chemicals, and other material consumables that cross the system boundary.

• Selected flow: Consumable-specific product flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: stock-adjusted issued quantity attributable to the rolling line
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg hot-rolled intermediate output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_materials_and_packaging

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Hot-rolled intermediate (hot_rolled_intermediate)

Record the on-spec hot-rolled coil or plate intermediate leaving rolling and cooling before optional pickling or dispatch finishing.

• Selected flow: Hot-rolled non-alloy steel intermediate; Tiangong UUID unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured on-spec intermediate output
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg hot-rolled intermediate output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_identity_and_output

Recovered rolling scrap and mill scale (rolling_recovered_material)

Record crop scrap, cobbles, and mill scale as separate recovered material outputs when they have a verified internal or external recovery route; internal returns do not count as external recycled input.

• Selected flow: Recovery-route-specific steel scrap or mill-scale product flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured net quantity transferred to recovery after internal reconciliation
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg hot-rolled intermediate output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_coproducts_and_recovery

Waste flows

Rolling residues and wastewater to treatment (rolling_waste)

Record non-recovered scale, sludge, spent lubricants, refractory or roll-shop wastes, and wastewater sent to on-site or off-site treatment by destination.

• Selected flow: Treatment-route-specific waste and wastewater flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass or volume / kg or m3
• Amount rule: measured net transfer to treatment after recovery and recirculation
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg hot-rolled intermediate output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_mass_outputs_and_waste

Elementary flows

Direct reheating, rolling, and water emissions (rolling_direct_emissions)

Record direct air releases from reheating and mechanical operations and final water releases after treatment using substance- and compartment-specific flows.

• Selected flow: Substance- and compartment-specific elementary flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: monitored release or calculation from documented concentration and flow measurements
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg hot-rolled intermediate output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_direct_emissions

Process: Hot-rolled product pickling and temporary oiling (p_pickling)

Inputs

Product flows

Hot-rolled product for pickling (pickling_feed)

Record the hot-rolled product entering the pickling line and link it to its rolling batch and surface state.

• Selected flow: Hot-rolled non-alloy steel intermediate; Tiangong UUID unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass entering pickling
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg pickled hot-rolled product
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_identity_and_output

Pickling materials, water, and energy (pickling_inputs)

Record acid by type and concentration, inhibitors, rinse water, neutralisation chemicals, temporary oil, electricity, steam, and fuel used by the pickling line.

• Selected flow: Material-, water-, and energy-specific product flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass, volume, or energy / kg, m3, kWh, or MJ
• Amount rule: metered use and stock-adjusted consumption attributable to pickled output
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg pickled hot-rolled product
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_pickling_operation

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Pickled hot-rolled product (pickled_product)

Record the on-spec pickled or pickled-and-oiled uncoated hot-rolled product leaving the line.

• Selected flow: Pickled hot-rolled non-alloy steel; Tiangong UUID unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured on-spec product leaving pickling
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg pickled hot-rolled product
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_identity_and_output

Waste flows

Spent acid, sludge, and pickling wastewater (pickling_waste)

Record regenerated or exported spent acid, neutralisation sludge, scale, rinse-water purge, and other wastes separately by recovery or treatment route.

• Selected flow: Treatment-route-specific pickling waste flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass or volume / kg or m3
• Amount rule: measured net waste and wastewater leaving the pickling system after internal recovery
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg pickled hot-rolled product
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_pickling_operation

Elementary flows

Direct pickling emissions (pickling_direct_emissions)

Record acid mist and other direct releases to air and final treated releases to water where they cross the site boundary.

• Selected flow: Substance- and compartment-specific elementary flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: monitored release or calculation from documented concentration and flow measurements
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per kg pickled hot-rolled product
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_direct_emissions

Process: Finishing and dispatch preparation (p_finishing_dispatch)

Inputs

Product flows

Qualifying hot-rolled product before dispatch (dispatch_feed)

Record as-rolled or pickled product entering final inspection and dispatch preparation with batch linkage preserved.

• Selected flow: Hot-rolled non-alloy steel intermediate; Tiangong UUID unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass entering dispatch finishing
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net dispatched product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_identity_and_output

Packaging materials (dispatch_packaging)

Record straps, wrappers, edge protectors, pallets, and other packaging that accompanies the product, separately from net product mass.

• Selected flow: Packaging-material-specific product flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured or stock-adjusted packaging issued to qualifying shipments
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net dispatched product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_materials_and_packaging

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Final qualifying hot-rolled steel (reference_product_output)

Record the final net mass released at the steelworks gate and retain all required product and route qualifiers. Coil uses the selected representative UUID; sheet or plate requires a verified state-matching flow.

• Selected flow: Steel hot rolled coil 2126a80d-1cd0-46e4-8f30-341bd20a1d64
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: exactly 1,000 kg net qualifying product per reference flow
• Value mode: Fixed value (fixed_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Identity reference (identity_reference)

Trimming scrap sent to recovery (finishing_scrap)

Record trimming and crop scrap by internal return or external recovery destination without counting internal return as external recycled input.

• Selected flow: Recovery-route-specific steel scrap flow; Tiangong UUID unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured net scrap transferred from finishing
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net dispatched product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_coproducts_and_recovery

Waste flows

Finishing and packaging waste (finishing_waste)

Record non-recovered edge material, rejected packaging, and other dispatch waste by treatment destination.

• Selected flow: Treatment-route-specific waste flows; Tiangong UUIDs unresolved
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured net waste sent to treatment
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg net dispatched product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_mass_outputs_and_waste

Elementary flows

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
allocation_subdivision_first	separable routes, lines, and products	Avoid allocation by using route-, line-, process-, and product-specific meters and mass balances and by subdividing independently measured operations before assigning shared burdens.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
allocation_internal_recycling	home scrap, mill scale, process gases, water, and other internal loops	Model internal transfers once as an output from the producing process and an input to the receiving process; use the net site balance and do not claim an external recycling credit or external recycled-content input for internally recirculated material.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
allocation_coproducts	co-products with a verified external function and market demand	Prefer system expansion or substitution using the documented equivalent external function; if this cannot be applied, use a justified physical relationship and disclose the rationale and sensitivity to alternatives.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
allocation_shared_hot_rolling	shared reheating, rolling, utilities, and finishing	After subdivision, assign directly metered burdens to the relevant product; allocate only the residual shared burden using a documented physical relationship that reflects the process, with product mass used only when products receive equivalent processing and no better relation is available.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
allocation_scrap_reporting	external scrap input and future recycling scenarios	Report external pre-consumer and post-consumer scrap input separately from home scrap; if an end-of-life recycling method is applied downstream, disclose it separately from cradle-to-gate results and prevent double counting.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017; aisc-steel-construction-pcr-2025

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_product_identity_and_output	p_hot_rolling; p_pickling; p_finishing_dispatch	product identity and output	production, laboratory, inspection, and dispatch records	grade/specification; heat/batch; width; thickness; coil/plate; surface state; edge condition; pickling; oiling; coating status; gross mass; packaging mass; net product mass	Reconcile certified scales, production execution records, inspection certificates, and dispatch records.	kg; mm	per batch and shipment; monthly reconciliation	normally 12 consecutive months	each included rolling, pickling, and finishing line	Sum conforming net output by declared product state; keep off-grade, rework, and scrap separate.	scale calibration, inspection certificate, batch genealogy, and dispatch reconciliation
cp_route_and_slab_supply	p_slab_supply; p_hot_rolling	route, recycled input, and slab supply	purchasing, melt-shop, casting, supplier, and transfer records	steelmaking route; casting route; slab grade; slab mass; supplier; external pre-consumer scrap; external post-consumer scrap; home scrap; DRI/HBI; hot metal; upstream dataset id	Reconcile receipts, stock changes, melt-shop charge sheets, casting records, internal transfers, and supplier declarations.	kg; % by mass	per heat or batch; monthly reconciliation	normally 12 consecutive months	all sites and suppliers feeding included output	Attribute slab and charge records by traceable heat/batch or documented production-weighted route mix.	weighbridge and inventory reconciliation, charge sheets, supplier evidence, and route-share calculation
cp_energy_and_fuels	p_slab_supply; p_hot_rolling; p_pickling	purchased and internally transferred energy	meters, invoices, fuel analyses, and gas-balance records	electricity; fuel quantity; steam; oxygen; process-gas generation and use; net calorific value; meter hierarchy; allocation driver	Read calibrated meters and invoices and reconcile internal gas and steam transfers to the site energy balance.	kWh; MJ; kg; m3	continuous or per batch; monthly close	normally 12 consecutive months	each included process and shared utility	Sum measured use; assign direct meters first and allocate residual shared use with the declared physical driver.	calibration records, invoices, fuel certificates, and energy-balance closure
cp_water_balance	p_hot_rolling; p_pickling	withdrawal, make-up, recirculation, and discharge	flow meters, water treatment logs, and discharge records	source; withdrawal; make-up; recirculation; evaporation; blowdown; discharge; destination	Reconcile calibrated source, process-loop, and final-discharge meters.	m3	continuous or daily; monthly close	normally 12 consecutive months	each included water circuit and final discharge point	Report gross withdrawal, make-up, recirculation, and final discharge separately; allocate shared loops by measured make-up or another documented physical driver.	meter calibration, water-balance closure, and treatment/discharge logs
cp_materials_and_packaging	p_hot_rolling; p_finishing_dispatch	rolling consumables and dispatch packaging	purchasing, stores, issue, and stock records	material identity; opening stock; receipts; closing stock; issued quantity; return; product assignment	Use stock-adjusted consumption and shipment-specific packaging records where available.	kg	per issue or shipment; monthly close	normally 12 consecutive months	each included process and dispatch operation	Opening stock plus receipts minus closing stock and documented returns, assigned first by direct issue.	inventory reconciliation, issue ticket, and packaging specification
cp_pickling_operation	p_pickling	pickling materials, recovery, energy, water, and wastes	bath analysis, meters, production logs, acid regeneration, waste, and treatment records	acid type/concentration; inhibitor; rinse water; energy; oil; input mass; output mass; spent acid; regenerated acid; sludge; wastewater; emission monitoring	Reconcile bath additions and withdrawals, meters, line production, acid recovery, and waste manifests.	kg; m3; kWh; MJ	per batch or continuous line; monthly close	normally 12 consecutive months	every included pickling and acid-recovery line	Normalize only to pickled output and preserve regenerated acid as an internal loop or verified external recovery.	bath laboratory results, meter calibration, mass balance, and waste manifests
cp_mass_outputs_and_waste	p_slab_supply; p_hot_rolling; p_finishing_dispatch	product, scrap, scale, sludge, and waste destinations	scales, production logs, transfer tickets, and waste manifests	input mass; product mass; crop scrap; cobbles; mill scale; sludge; off-grade; rework; waste mass; recovery/treatment destination	Reconcile process and site mass balances with calibrated scales and verified transfer records.	kg	per batch where available; monthly close	normally 12 consecutive months	each included process and treatment boundary	Keep internal return, external recovery, treatment, disposal, and stock change separate; investigate unexplained imbalance.	scale calibration, transfer ticket, waste manifest, and signed balance review
cp_coproducts_and_recovery	p_slab_supply; p_hot_rolling; p_finishing_dispatch	co-products and recovered materials	scales, sales/transfer records, specifications, and destination evidence	material; mass; quality; internal use; external use; destination; market demand; substituted function; allocation method	Verify net export after internal reuse and retain evidence of the receiving function or treatment.	kg; MJ	per transfer; monthly close	normally 12 consecutive months	site boundary and each receiving route	Net internal transfers before reporting export; keep each material and destination separate.	weighbridge record, specification, contract or transfer evidence, and allocation review
cp_direct_emissions	p_slab_supply; p_hot_rolling; p_pickling	direct releases to air and water	continuous monitors, periodic tests, wastewater analyses, and flow meters	substance; compartment; concentration; flow; operating time; test method; detection limit; treatment status	Use applicable continuous or periodic monitoring and calculate mass release from documented concentration and flow data.	kg; mg/Nm3; mg/L; Nm3; m3	continuous or permit-defined periodic frequency	same production period as activity data	every included emission point and final discharge point	Integrate or multiply matched concentration and flow over the operating period; retain non-detect treatment and uncertainty.	calibration, accredited test report, laboratory result, and calculation trace

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
calc_reference_normalization	every inventory amount	normalized amount = attributable amount × 1,000 kg / conforming net dispatched product mass	attributable flow amount; conforming net dispatched product mass	amount per 1,000 kg reference product
calc_net_product_mass	dispatch output	net product mass = certified shipped gross mass minus separately weighed or documented packaging mass	gross shipped mass; packaging mass	kg net qualifying product
calc_hot_rolling_yield	hot rolling and finishing	yield = conforming net product mass / qualifying slab input mass; report crop scrap, cobbles, scale, off-grade, rework, and stock change separately	slab input; conforming product; scrap; scale; off-grade; rework; stock change	mass-balance and yield disclosure	eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
calc_recycled_input	steel route disclosure	external recycled-input share = (external pre-consumer scrap + external post-consumer scrap) / total metallic charge × 100; report home scrap separately and state any alternative governing method	external pre-consumer scrap; external post-consumer scrap; total metallic charge; home scrap	% by mass and category disclosure	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
calc_energy_conversion	fuels and process gases	energy = measured mass or standard volume × documented net calorific value; reconcile internal generation and consumption once	fuel or gas quantity; net calorific value; internal transfer balance	MJ attributable energy	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
calc_direct_release	monitored emissions	mass release = matched concentration × normalized dry or wet gas flow, or concentration × water discharge volume, with unit conversion and operating time documented	concentration; flow or discharge volume; operating time; measurement basis	kg substance released	eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
dq_identity	final product and all production lots	Demonstrate non-alloy grade, finished width at least 600 mm, hot-rolled-only state, coil or sheet/plate delivery, surface state, and absence of coating; segregate nonconforming products.	specifications, inspection certificates, and batch genealogy
dq_route	steel and slab supply	Identify steelmaking and casting route, geography, supplier or site, external pre-consumer and post-consumer scrap, and home scrap; do not use an unexplained production mix.	charge sheets, route records, supplier declarations, and production-weighted calculation
dq_temporal	foreground activity data	Use a representative period normally covering 12 consecutive months; data older than five years or a shorter period require a documented representativeness justification.	reporting-period register and deviation justification
dq_measurement	material, energy, water, and emissions	Prefer measured data, then calculated data; identify estimates explicitly and retain meter, scale, laboratory, conversion-factor, and calculation evidence.	calibration, invoices, laboratory reports, and calculation trace
dq_completeness	all included processes	Cover all required and triggered conditional processes and reconcile input, product, co-product, recovered material, waste, stock change, and direct-emission records; document exclusions and cut-offs.	signed completeness checklist and mass/energy/water balances
dq_upstream	purchased slab and other significant upstream inputs	Use representative upstream datasets for geography, time, technology, route, and recycled-input basis; document every proxy and sensitivity relevant to the study goal.	dataset metadata, supplier evidence, and proxy register
dq_reproducibility	complete foreground package	Preserve sufficient raw-field definitions, aggregation logic, allocation decisions, and source links for an independent practitioner with authorized access to reproduce the normalized inventory.	data dictionary, calculation workbook or script, and review record

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
validate_product_identity	reference product	Fail conformance if the grade is stainless or other alloy steel, width is below 600 mm, the product is cold-rolled or further fabricated, or any cladding, plating, galvanizing, paint, polymer, metallic, or other coating is present.	unsd-cpc-3-2025; unsd-hs-7208
validate_reference_flow	reference flow and output	Require exactly 1,000 kg net qualifying product per reference flow, Mass as the quantitative property, packaging outside net product mass, and all required qualifiers; coil may use the selected UUID, while plate or sheet requires a verified state-matching flow.	worldsteel-hrc-eco-profile-2022
validate_route_and_scrap	route disclosure	Require a declared steelmaking and casting route, external pre-consumer and post-consumer scrap values, separately reported home scrap, route shares for a mix, and the recycled-content method and denominator.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
validate_process_coverage	process map	Require p_hot_rolling and p_finishing_dispatch; require either foreground p_slab_supply or a linked representative upstream slab dataset; require p_pickling exactly when dispatched product state is pickled or pickled-and-oiled.	eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022; worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
validate_surface_boundary	surface state	Reject a dataset that declares pickled product but omits pickling burdens, or as-rolled product but includes unassigned pickling; reject coating burdens and downstream fabrication within this PCR result.	unsd-hs-7208; eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
validate_balances	mass, energy, and water	Require reconciled product and process mass balances, one-time accounting of internal energy and material loops, and separate water withdrawal, recirculation, and discharge; investigate and disclose unexplained imbalance.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
validate_allocation	shared burdens, co-products, and recovery	Require subdivision before allocation, a documented physical driver for residual shared burdens, disclosed co-product treatment, net internal-recycling accounting, and no double counting of scrap or future recycling credits.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017; aisc-steel-construction-pcr-2025
validate_data_quality	foreground package	Require the declared period, site and supplier coverage, calibration and laboratory evidence, upstream dataset metadata, proxy register, and reproducible calculation trail; report deviations rather than silently filling missing values.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	Foreground production data package for a hot-rolled non-alloy steel mill product; may be published as a secondary_dataset or background_dataset after review.
downstream_use	Supports product, process, and lifecyclemodel construction for electrical equipment, photovoltaic support systems, buildings, and manufacturing where the declared grade, dimensions, delivery form, surface state, geography, period, and route are compatible.
allowed_use	Cradle-to-gate steel product modelling or gate-to-gate hot-rolling modelling with a linked upstream slab dataset; product-footprint and EPD work when the governing programme rules and additional life-cycle modules are applied separately.
excluded_use	Cold-rolled, stainless, alloy, coated, narrow-width, or fabricated steel products; direct comparison of products with different functions or incompatible boundaries; legal compliance claims; use of a coil identity for plate without verification.
required_metadata	PCR id; CPC context; product-flow, flow-property, and unit-group UUIDs; grade/specification; thickness; width; coil or sheet/plate; surface and edge state; pickling and oiling; coating absence; steelmaking and casting route; route shares; recycled-input categories; slab source; geography; sites; production period; boundary; allocation; upstream datasets; packaging.
required_quality_disclosure	Foreground versus upstream data; meter and scale coverage; 12-month representativeness or deviation; route and supplier coverage; mass, energy, and water reconciliation; measured/calculated/estimated shares; proxy use; cut-offs; co-product and recycling method; unresolved UUIDs; review status.
update_trigger	Change in steel grade boundary, width or delivery state, steelmaking/casting route or route shares, external scrap basis, slab supplier, pickling or oiling, coating status, process technology, energy or water system, allocation or recycling method, geography, production period, or a newly verified reference-flow/unit-group identity.

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
unsd-cpc-3-2025	Official guidance (official_guidance)	United Nations Statistics Division, CPC Ver. 3.0 Explanatory Notes, 30 June 2025, p. 207, https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Download/In%20Text/CPC_Ver_3.0_Exp_Notes_30Jun2025.pdf (retrieved 2026-08-07)	Official CPC 41211 identity, hierarchy, width, material, and hot-rolled-only scope
unsd-hs-7208	Official guidance (official_guidance)	United Nations Statistics Division, HS 2012 heading 7208 classification detail, https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Detail/EN/32/7208 (retrieved 2026-08-07)	Coil/non-coil and thickness variants, pickled coil inclusion, and exclusion of clad, plated, or coated products
worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017	Official guidance (official_guidance)	World Steel Association, Life Cycle Inventory Methodology Report, 2017, https://worldsteel.org/wp-content/uploads/Life-cycle-inventory-methodology-report.pdf (retrieved 2026-08-07)	Cradle-to-gate and gate-to-gate boundaries, route diagrams, primary-data quality, internal recovery, co-products, scrap, allocation, and recycling rules
worldsteel-lci-study-2021	Dataset (dataset)	World Steel Association, Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Study: 2021 Data Release, https://worldsteel.org/wp-content/uploads/2021-LCA-Study-Report.pdf (retrieved 2026-08-07)	Product list, plant data context, and separate accounting for packaging such as steel strap
worldsteel-hrc-eco-profile-2022	Dataset (dataset)	World Steel Association, Global Hot Rolled Coil — Construction Eco-profile, May 2022, https://worldsteel.org/wp-content/uploads/worldsteel_eco-profiles_global-HRC-2022_Construction-1.pdf (retrieved 2026-08-07)	One-metric-tonne declared product, hot-rolled-coil state, cradle-to-gate plus end-of-life scope, BOF/EAF production routes, and separate co-product/recycling reporting context
eu-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, https://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-12/FMP_BREF_2022.pdf (retrieved 2026-08-07)	Hot-rolling process decomposition, reheating, descaling, rolling, cooling, coiling/cutting, pickling, water circuits, residues, and emissions monitoring
aisc-steel-construction-pcr-2025	Standard (standard)	American Institute of Steel Construction, Product Category Rule overview for Smart EPD Part B PCR 1000-008 v3.0, 3 April 2025, https://www.aisc.org/sustainability/product-category-rule/ (retrieved 2026-08-07)	Mill-product boundary for unfabricated plate and coil, distinction from manufacturing/fabrication, declared tonne, modules, and recycling disclosure