Non-alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms, and semi-finished products of non-alloy steel

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR applies to non-alloy crude steel delivered at the producing steelworks gate as an ingot, another primary form, or a semi-finished billet, bloom, or slab. It supports foreground packages for integrated blast-furnace/basic-oxygen-furnace (BF-BOF) and electric-arc-furnace (EAF) routes, including secondary metallurgy and solidification when those operations occur before the declared gate.

The PCR excludes alloy and stainless steel, direct-reduced iron sold before steelmaking, pig iron sold before conversion to steel, steel powders, remelting scrap ingots classified as waste or scrap, and downstream rolling, forging, drawing, coating, machining, or fabrication. A data package must select one actual product form and one production route; the representative slab UUID below must not be relabelled as an ingot, billet, bloom, liquid steel, or alloy steel.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.metal-products-machinery-and-equipment.basic-metals.non-alloy-steel-in-ingots-or-other-primary-forms-and-semi-finished-products-of-non-alloy-steel
classification_refs	CPC 3.0: 41121, exact classification reference
covered_products	Non-alloy steel ingots; other primary forms of non-alloy steel; non-alloy steel billets, blooms, and slabs before downstream rolling or fabrication
excluded_products	Alloy steel and stainless steel; pig iron; direct-reduced iron sold as such; steel powders; scrap ingots; rolled, forged, drawn, coated, machined, or fabricated steel products
representative_product	Continuously cast non-alloy steel slab for flat rolling
production_route	Declared BF-BOF or EAF route, with actual iron-bearing charge, secondary metallurgy, and ingot or continuous-casting state disclosed
market_state	Unrolled, uncoated non-alloy crude steel at the producing steelworks gate; temperature, dimensions, grade, and surface-conditioning state declared

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	Supply a declared non-alloy crude-steel primary or semi-finished form suitable for subsequent metal processing
How much	1,000 kg net saleable product at the producing steelworks gate
How well	Meets the declared non-alloy grade, chemistry, dimensions, surface condition, and acceptance specification
How long or cycle	One production campaign represented by the data package's stated temporal coverage
reference_flow_link	The reference amount equals the net mass of the declared saleable product; exclude attached dunnage and separately supplied packaging

Field	Value
Reference amount	1,000 kg
Reference product flow	Continuously cast steel slab for flat rolling fa93b446-0340-4d7b-9f4d-e3f78789ea94
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	actual product form; non-alloy grade or chemistry specification; BF-BOF or EAF route; iron-bearing charge shares; casting route; hot or cold delivery state; surface-conditioning state; plant geography; production technology; temporal coverage; recycled-content accounting approach; co-product treatment approach

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

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
reference_mass	reference product	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Report 1,000 kg of net saleable steel, excluding dunnage, external packaging, scale removed before the gate, and separately reported residues.
wet_dry_mass	ores, coke, fluxes, dust, sludge, scale, and slag	Mass	kg	State whether each mass is wet or dry; retain moisture observations and convert to dry mass only with measured moisture content.
gas_reference_state	oxygen and gaseous natural gas	Volume	m3	State temperature and absolute pressure for every gas volume; do not mix normal-volume and actual-volume records without an explicit conversion.
electricity_energy	alternating-current electricity	Energy	MJ	Preserve metered kWh and convert only by the exact identity 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ; disclose voltage and treatment of transmission and distribution losses.
internal_flow_consistency	molten steel and return scrap	Mass	kg	Use identical flow identities and quantities at the sending and receiving process boundaries; do not count an internal transfer as an external input or output.

5. System Boundary

The intended inventory is cradle-to-factory-gate. Foreground records cover steelworks-controlled operations for the declared route, while purchased materials, fuels, electricity, oxygen, and water retain linked upstream provider datasets. Downstream rolling and product fabrication are outside the boundary.

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Supplier-gate iron-bearing materials, reductants, fluxes, gases, electricity, and water entering the first steelworks-controlled operation, linked to appropriate upstream datasets
starting_condition_role	foreground steelworks gate with upstream provider linkage
product_classification_scope	Non-alloy crude steel in ingot, other primary, billet, bloom, or slab form before downstream rolling or fabrication
recursive_input_rule	Purchased input already within this PCR category is recorded once as a product input with its own upstream provider dataset; its production is not recursively reconstructed inside the receiving foreground system.
upstream_dataset_requirement	Link each purchased material and energy input to a geography-, technology-, and state-compatible upstream dataset, or disclose the unresolved provider gap.
disclosure	Declare route, product form, grade, charge mix, casting state, site geography, temporal coverage, internal recycling, exported energy, co-product status, and any excluded steelworks operation.

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
sb_cradle_to_gate	complete product system	Include upstream resource and energy provision through the producing steelworks factory gate; do not include downstream rolling or fabrication unless it occurs before the declared reference-product gate.	worldsteel-life-cycle-thinking
sb_route_operations	foreground steelworks	Include the actual route operations among ironmaking, BF-BOF or EAF steelmaking, ladle metallurgy, slag handling, and ingot or continuous casting; disclose every omitted operation.	eu-jrc-iron-steel-bref-2013
sb_inventory_coverage	foreground and linked upstream inventory	Record all measured material, non-mass energy, water, direct emission, by-product, and waste exchanges without substituting a route-average carrier bundle.	worldsteel-life-cycle-thinking

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
bf_bof_route	Integrated BF-BOF ironmaking and steelmaking	conditional	Include only when the declared product is made through an integrated blast-furnace/basic-oxygen-furnace route.	foreground ironmaking, steelmaking, and secondary metallurgy	molten non-alloy steel transferred to casting
eaf_route	Electric-arc-furnace steelmaking	conditional	Include only when the declared product is made through an electric-arc-furnace route; record DRI only when actually charged.	foreground melting, steelmaking, and secondary metallurgy	molten non-alloy steel transferred to casting
casting	Ingot or continuous casting and product handling	conditional	Include when the product is solidified before the declared gate; identify ingot, billet, bloom, or slab casting and exclude continuous-casting mould powder for ingot casting.	foreground solidification and factory-gate preparation	1,000 kg declared saleable product

Process: Integrated BF-BOF ironmaking and steelmaking (bf_bof_route)

Inputs

Product flows

Iron ore pellets charged to the integrated route (bf_iron_ore_pellets)

Iron ore pellets charged to the integrated route is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Iron ore pellets
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured dry mass of blast-furnace-grade pellets crossing the supplier-to-site boundary
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_bf_bof_balance
• Sources:

Metallurgical coke charged to the integrated route (bf_metallurgical_coke)

Metallurgical coke charged to the integrated route is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Metallurgical coke
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured dry mass of metallurgical coke charged
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_bf_bof_balance
• Sources:

Prepared ferrous scrap charged to the BOF (bf_steel_scrap)

Prepared ferrous scrap charged to the BOF is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Prepared ferrous scrap
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass of external prepared scrap charged; internal returns are recorded separately
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_bf_bof_balance
• Sources:

Burnt lime flux charged to steelmaking (bf_burnt_lime)

Burnt lime flux charged to steelmaking is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Burnt lime
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured dry mass of burnt lime charged
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_bf_bof_balance
• Sources:

Industrial oxygen supplied to ironmaking and BOF (bf_oxygen)

Industrial oxygen supplied to ironmaking and BOF is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Industrial oxygen bd4b0f96-2090-4806-a648-335ab20ff401
• Flow property / unit: Volume 93a60a56-a3c8-22da-a746-0800200c9a66 / m3 (Units of volume 93a60a57-a3c8-12da-a746-0800200c9a66)
• Amount rule: metered normal-volume oxygen supplied; disclose purity, reference conditions, pressure, and on-site generation boundary
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_bf_bof_balance
• Sources:

Alternating-current electricity consumed by the integrated route (bf_electricity)

Alternating-current electricity consumed by the integrated route is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Alternating-current electricity
• Flow property / unit: Energy / MJ
• Amount rule: metered purchased and on-site electricity consumed, net of separately reported exports
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_bf_bof_balance
• Sources:

Process-water make-up supplied to the integrated route (bf_process_water)

Process-water make-up supplied to the integrated route is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Process water
• Flow property / unit: Volume / m3
• Amount rule: metered fresh and externally supplied make-up water; exclude recirculated internal water
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_bf_bof_balance
• Sources:

Waste flows

No atomic exchanges are prescribed in this flow-type group.

Elementary flows

No atomic exchanges are prescribed in this flow-type group.

Outputs

Product flows

Molten non-alloy steel transferred to casting (bf_molten_steel)

Molten non-alloy steel transferred to casting is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Molten non-alloy steel
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass transferred from the BF-BOF route to the declared casting process
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_bf_bof_balance
• Sources:

Waste flows

BF-BOF slag sent to treatment (bf_slag)

BF-BOF slag sent to treatment is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: BF-BOF steelmaking slag
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured wet or dry mass leaving the steelmaking process; disclose moisture and whether later recovered as a co-product
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_bf_bof_balance
• Sources:

Collected BF-BOF dust and sludge (bf_dust)

Collected BF-BOF dust and sludge is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: BF-BOF dust and sludge
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured dry solids collected by off-gas and water-treatment systems
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_bf_bof_balance
• Sources:

Elementary flows

Direct fossil carbon dioxide to air (bf_co2_fossil)

Direct fossil carbon dioxide to air is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: carbon dioxide (fossil) 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-923d-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg (Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66)
• Amount rule: measured or carbon-balance-calculated direct fossil CO2 released to air; keep the compartment as air, unspecified unless stack conditions justify a more specific flow
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_bf_bof_balance
• Sources:

Process: Electric-arc-furnace steelmaking (eaf_route)

Inputs

Product flows

Prepared ferrous scrap charged to the EAF (eaf_steel_scrap)

Prepared ferrous scrap charged to the EAF is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Prepared ferrous scrap
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass of external prepared scrap charged; disclose grade and residual-element controls
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Direct-reduced iron charged to the EAF (eaf_direct_reduced_iron)

Direct-reduced iron charged to the EAF is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Direct-reduced iron
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass charged when this iron-bearing feed is used
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Burnt lime flux charged to the EAF (eaf_burnt_lime)

Burnt lime flux charged to the EAF is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Burnt lime
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured dry mass of burnt lime charged
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Graphite electrodes consumed by the EAF (eaf_graphite_electrode)

Graphite electrodes consumed by the EAF is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Graphite electrode
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: stock-change or purchase-and-inventory-balance mass consumed
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Industrial oxygen supplied to the EAF (eaf_oxygen)

Industrial oxygen supplied to the EAF is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Industrial oxygen bd4b0f96-2090-4806-a648-335ab20ff401
• Flow property / unit: Volume 93a60a56-a3c8-22da-a746-0800200c9a66 / m3 (Units of volume 93a60a57-a3c8-12da-a746-0800200c9a66)
• Amount rule: metered normal-volume oxygen supplied; disclose purity, reference conditions, pressure, and on-site generation boundary
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Alternating-current electricity consumed by the EAF route (eaf_electricity)

Alternating-current electricity consumed by the EAF route is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Alternating-current electricity
• Flow property / unit: Energy / MJ
• Amount rule: metered purchased and on-site electricity consumed, net of separately reported exports
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Gaseous natural gas consumed by the EAF route (eaf_natural_gas)

Gaseous natural gas consumed by the EAF route is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: natural gas in the gaseous state 4f19ca0e-7b3b-11dd-ad8b-0800200c9a66
• Flow property / unit: Volume 93a60a56-a3c8-22da-a746-0800200c9a66 / m3 (Units of volume 93a60a57-a3c8-12da-a746-0800200c9a66)
• Amount rule: metered gaseous natural gas at the consumption boundary; disclose supplier geography and standard reference conditions
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Process-water make-up supplied to the EAF route (eaf_process_water)

Process-water make-up supplied to the EAF route is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Process water
• Flow property / unit: Volume / m3
• Amount rule: metered fresh and externally supplied make-up water; exclude recirculated internal water
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Waste flows

No atomic exchanges are prescribed in this flow-type group.

Elementary flows

No atomic exchanges are prescribed in this flow-type group.

Outputs

Product flows

Molten non-alloy steel transferred to casting (eaf_molten_steel)

Molten non-alloy steel transferred to casting is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Molten non-alloy steel
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass transferred from the EAF route to the declared casting process
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Waste flows

EAF slag sent to treatment (eaf_slag)

EAF slag sent to treatment is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Electric-arc-furnace slag
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured wet or dry mass leaving the EAF process; disclose moisture and whether later recovered as a co-product
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Collected EAF off-gas dust (eaf_dust)

Collected EAF off-gas dust is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Electric-arc-furnace dust
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured dry solids collected by the EAF off-gas treatment system
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Elementary flows

Direct fossil carbon dioxide to air (eaf_co2_fossil)

Direct fossil carbon dioxide to air is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: carbon dioxide (fossil) 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-923d-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg (Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66)
• Amount rule: measured or carbon-balance-calculated direct fossil CO2 released to air; keep the compartment as air, unspecified unless stack conditions justify a more specific flow
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_eaf_balance
• Sources:

Process: Ingot or continuous casting and product handling (casting)

Inputs

Product flows

Molten non-alloy steel received for solidification (casting_molten_steel)

Molten non-alloy steel received for solidification is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Molten non-alloy steel
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass received from the selected steelmaking route; use the same internal linking flow at both ends
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_casting_balance
• Sources:

Casting mould powder consumed (casting_mould_powder)

Casting mould powder consumed is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Continuous-casting mould powder
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: purchase-and-inventory-balance mass consumed when continuous casting is used
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_casting_balance
• Sources:

Alternating-current electricity consumed in casting (casting_electricity)

Alternating-current electricity consumed in casting is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Alternating-current electricity
• Flow property / unit: Energy / MJ
• Amount rule: metered purchased and on-site electricity consumed by casting and product handling
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_casting_balance
• Sources:

Process-water make-up supplied to casting (casting_process_water)

Process-water make-up supplied to casting is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Process water
• Flow property / unit: Volume / m3
• Amount rule: metered fresh and externally supplied make-up water; exclude recirculated internal water
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_casting_balance
• Sources:

Waste flows

No atomic exchanges are prescribed in this flow-type group.

Elementary flows

No atomic exchanges are prescribed in this flow-type group.

Outputs

Product flows

Declared representative non-alloy steel slab (reference_product)

Declared representative non-alloy steel slab is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Continuously cast steel slab for flat rolling fa93b446-0340-4d7b-9f4d-e3f78789ea94
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg (Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66)
• Amount rule: measured saleable slab output normalized to 1,000 kg; other covered forms require a form-specific product flow rather than relabelling this UUID
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_casting_balance
• Sources:

Waste flows

Iron-oxide scale from casting and handling (casting_scale)

Iron-oxide scale from casting and handling is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Iron-oxide scale from steel casting
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured dry mass leaving the process for treatment or recovery
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_casting_balance
• Sources:

Casting return scrap (casting_return_scrap)

Casting return scrap is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Steel casting return scrap
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass returned internally or transferred to another process; record the destination
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_casting_balance
• Sources:

Wastewater from casting operations (casting_wastewater)

Wastewater from casting operations is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Steel-casting wastewater
• Flow property / unit: Volume / m3
• Amount rule: metered wastewater leaving the casting process before or after treatment, with treatment state disclosed
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_casting_balance
• Sources:

Casting residue slag sent to treatment (casting_slag)

Casting residue slag sent to treatment is recorded as one atomic exchange when it crosses this process boundary.

• Selected flow: Steel-casting residue slag
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass of tundish, ladle, or casting residue leaving the process for treatment
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1,000 kg declared reference product at the factory gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_casting_balance
• Sources:

Elementary flows

No atomic exchanges are prescribed in this flow-type group.

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
allocation_subdivision	independently metered route processes	Avoid allocation by subdividing ironmaking, steelmaking, gas use, casting, and treatment operations wherever their inputs and outputs are separately measured.	worldsteel-life-cycle-thinking
allocation_coproducts	exported slag, process gas, steam, heat, or electricity	Identify whether each output is a co-product or waste. Use system expansion for a functionally equivalent displaced product when the study program permits it; otherwise apply the program-required allocation method and disclose the factor and sensitivity.	worldsteel-life-cycle-thinking
allocation_internal_returns	internally recycled steel, dust, scale, slag, process gas, water, and heat	Keep burdens within the foreground system and record the internal transfer consistently at both process boundaries; do not award an external avoided-product credit for an internal loop.	worldsteel-life-cycle-thinking

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_bf_bof_balance	bf_bof_route	every listed atomic input and output	calibrated meters, weighbridge tickets, stock records, laboratory moisture tests, off-gas monitoring, and waste transfer records	quantity; unit; wet_or_dry; moisture; gas_reference_state; source_or_destination; meter_id; timestamp; batch_id	reconcile purchase, stock-change, charge, transfer, monitoring, and dispatch records by campaign	native record unit plus normalized kg, m3, or MJ	per heat or shift, aggregated monthly	at least 12 consecutive representative months	all BF-BOF units supplying the declared product	sum each atomic exchange separately, remove internal transfers from external totals, then normalize by net saleable output	calibration certificates, laboratory results, stock reconciliation, meter coverage, and signed mass-balance review
cp_eaf_balance	eaf_route	every listed atomic input and output	calibrated meters, weighbridge tickets, charge records, stock records, off-gas monitoring, and waste transfer records	quantity; unit; scrap_grade; DRI_grade; gas_reference_state; source_or_destination; meter_id; timestamp; heat_id	reconcile purchase, stock-change, charge, transfer, monitoring, and dispatch records by heat and campaign	native record unit plus normalized kg, m3, or MJ	per heat or shift, aggregated monthly	at least 12 consecutive representative months	all EAF and ladle-metallurgy units supplying the declared product	sum each atomic exchange separately, remove internal transfers from external totals, then normalize by net saleable output	calibration certificates, charge sheets, stock reconciliation, meter coverage, and signed mass-balance review
cp_casting_balance	casting	every listed atomic input and output	ladle and tundish weights, caster production reports, meters, stock records, quality release records, and waste transfer records	quantity; unit; product_form; grade; dimensions; temperature_state; source_or_destination; meter_id; timestamp; campaign_id	reconcile molten-steel receipts, consumables, saleable product, returns, residues, and wastewater by campaign	native record unit plus normalized kg, m3, or MJ	per heat or campaign, aggregated monthly	at least 12 consecutive representative months	every casting line supplying the declared product	sum each atomic exchange separately and normalize by net saleable product mass	scale calibration, product release records, yield reconciliation, meter coverage, and signed mass-balance review

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
calc_reference_normalization	every inventory row	normalized amount = campaign exchange quantity × 1,000 / campaign net saleable product mass	campaign exchange quantity; campaign net saleable product mass	exchange amount per 1,000 kg reference product	—
calc_dry_mass	wet ore, coke, dust, sludge, scale, or slag records	dry mass = wet mass × (1 - measured moisture mass fraction)	wet mass; measured moisture mass fraction	dry mass in kg	—
calc_electricity_mj	electricity records	electricity MJ = metered kWh × 3.6	metered kWh	electricity in MJ	—
calc_route_mix	multi-route site average	combine only separately complete route inventories using each route's net saleable product mass share; retain route-specific results alongside the average	complete BF-BOF inventory; complete EAF inventory; route output masses	disclosed site-average inventory	—

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
dq_product_identity	reference product	Retain grade or chemistry, form, dimensions, temperature state, surface state, and release specification for every represented product family.	laboratory certificate, product release record, and product master data
dq_route_identity	process system	Demonstrate the represented BF-BOF or EAF route and identify all supplying units and internal transfers.	process map, charge records, meter map, and site flow diagram
dq_measurement	measured exchanges	Use calibrated instruments or reconciled stock records and state wet/dry and gas reference conditions.	calibration certificates, stock reconciliation, moisture tests, and gas conditions
dq_temporal	reporting period	Cover at least 12 consecutive representative months or justify a shorter campaign and its seasonality, outages, and product-mix limitations.	dated production and maintenance records
dq_completeness	inventory	Reconcile product, metallic, carbon, water, and waste balances; document missing meters, estimates, and excluded minor inputs.	signed reconciliation and completeness register
dq_upstream	linked providers	Match geography, technology, product state, and temporal representativeness for major upstream materials and energy.	provider metadata and representativeness review

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
validation_identity	reference product	Reject a package that omits the actual product form, non-alloy grade or chemistry basis, route, plant geography, or factory-gate state, or that relabels the representative slab UUID as another form.	un-cpc-v3-structure-2025
validation_route	process map	Require at least one declared steelmaking route; require casting when the reference product is an ingot, billet, bloom, or slab; prohibit DRI, mould powder, or another conditional row when the declared route does not use it.	eu-jrc-iron-steel-bref-2013
validation_internal_links	molten steel and internal returns	Require equal sending and receiving quantities and identical linking-flow identities after normalization; report any unmatched internal transfer.	—
validation_mass_balance	metallic inputs and outputs	Reconcile metallic charge with saleable steel, internal returns, slag metal, dust, scale, and other measured losses; investigate and disclose every imbalance rather than forcing closure.	—
validation_coproducts	slag and exported energy carriers	Require declared product-or-waste status, destination, allocation or substitution method, factor, and sensitivity where material.	worldsteel-life-cycle-thinking
validation_data_quality	complete package	Require traceable raw records, temporal coverage, site coverage, calibration or reconciliation evidence, and explicit unresolved provider or UUID gaps.	worldsteel-life-cycle-thinking

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	secondary_dataset or background_dataset derived from a reviewed foreground steelworks package
downstream_use	Product systems requiring non-alloy crude steel ingot, primary-form, billet, bloom, or slab inputs, with route and form compatibility checked
allowed_use	Attributional cradle-to-gate modelling and route-specific supply-chain modelling where geography, technology, grade, product form, allocation, and recycled-content conventions are compatible
excluded_use	Direct comparison of steel routes or materials without harmonized boundaries; substitution for alloy or stainless steel; substitution for downstream rolled or fabricated steel; undisclosed relabelling of the representative slab UUID
required_metadata	Product form; grade or chemistry; dimensions; temperature and surface state; steelmaking and casting route; charge shares; site geography; technology; reference period; provider geography; co-product method; recycled-content convention; data-quality evidence
required_quality_disclosure	Meter and stock-record coverage; wet/dry conversions; gas reference conditions; internal transfer reconciliation; metallic, carbon, water, and waste balances; missing data; estimates; unresolved UUIDs; upstream representativeness
update_trigger	Material change in route, furnace, charge mix, product form, grade family, energy supply, co-product treatment, provider data, site coverage, or reference period

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
un-cpc-v3-structure-2025	official_guidance	United Nations Statistics Division, CPC Ver. 3.0 Structure, 30 June 2025, https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Download/In%20Text/CPC_Ver_3.0_Structure_30Jun2025.csv	CPC 41121 classification identity and distinction from alloy steel
eu-jrc-iron-steel-bref-2013	official_guidance	European Commission Joint Research Centre, Iron and Steel Production BREF, published January 2013, https://bureau-industrial-transformation.jrc.ec.europa.eu/reference/iron-and-steel-production	BF-BOF and EAF process decomposition, ladle metallurgy, slag processing, and continuous casting
worldsteel-life-cycle-thinking	official_guidance	World Steel Association, About life cycle thinking, https://worldsteel.org/wider-sustainability/life-cycle-thinking/about-lca-lci/	Cradle-to-gate boundary, upstream inventory coverage, foreground data quality, recycling, and co-product system expansion
chinaisa-steel-products-pcr-2022	standard	中国钢铁工业协会，《钢铁产品产品种类规则》中文文件，https://www.chinaisa.org.cn/gxportalFile/attach/2022/01/12/0000000000065419.pdf	Professional Chinese terminology for UNCPC 41121 only; no methodology or numeric values copied