Advancing transparency and impact: Chem-X Guidelines evolve with Module 2
The transition towards a more sustainable and circular chemical industry requires one critical enabler: consistent, reliable and comparable data across the value chain.
This is exactly what the Chem‑X initiative is working to achieve—developing harmonised guidelines that define how sustainability and circularity information is measured, structured and exchanged, forming the foundation of a Digital Material Passport (DMP) for chemical products.
Today, we are taking the next step forward.
From v1.0 to v2.0: expanding the scope
Version 2.0 of the Environmental Sustainability and Circularity Guidelines builds on the foundation established in v1.0, with the introduction of Module 2, adding critical new dimensions to the assessment of chemical products.
Environmental Sustainability Guideline – new impact categories
Module 2 expands environmental assessment by introducing additional impact categories:
- Eutrophication (terrestrial, freshwater, marine)
- Particulate matter
- Ionising radiation
These additions complement the existing framework for assessing environmental impacts, strengthening the ability to capture a broader range of life cycle impacts of chemical products.
Circularity Guideline – new metrics
On the circularity side, Module 2 introduces:
- CO₂-based content (Carbon Capture and Utilisation – CCU)
- Waste disposal metrics
These metrics further enhance the ability to measure how materials are used, recovered and reintegrated—key elements in the shift from linear to circular value chains.
Shaped by industry: the value of consultation
An important feature of the Chem‑X approach is its open, pre-competitive collaboration model.
The updates in v2.0 are not developed in isolation. They are the result of a broad public consultation conducted in April–May, gathering input from across industry, academia and other stakeholders.
This inclusive approach ensures that the guidelines:
- reflect real industry needs
- remain practical and implementable
- benefit from diverse perspectives
Ultimately, this is what enables scalable adoption across value chains.
Looking ahead: Module 3 in development
The work does not stop here.
The Chem‑X consortium and TfS are already advancing Module 3, which will further expand the set of metrics and methodological detail.
In line with the established approach, stakeholders will again be invited to provide feedback—ensuring that the guidelines continue to evolve as a shared industry standard.
Why this matters
As regulatory requirements such as Digital Product Passports accelerate, and customer expectations for transparency increase, the chemical industry faces a clear challenge:
👉 How do we ensure that sustainability and circularity information is consistent, credible and usable across global value chains?
Chem‑X provides a concrete answer—by establishing:
- harmonised methodologies
- standardised metrics
- a common data language
This enables companies to exchange sustainability data seamlessly, support compliance, and unlock new circular business models.
Stay connected
You can follow the latest developments and access the full set of guidelines here:
