Find a lower-carbon alternative
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To discover materials with a lower carbon footprint, utilize the "Find Equivalent Materials" button in the Carbon Footprint module. A window will open with options to help find an alternative material. This feature allows you to explore better alternatives in two key ways:
Cross Reference Table: Identify equivalent materials using Horizon's Cross Reference tables, which provide a curated list of equivalencies recommended by Standard Development Organizations and other reputable sources.
Equivalence Finder: Search for equivalent materials by adjusting key criteria settings across various properties for a personalized match.
For a detailed explanation of how these tools work, please refer to the following sections.
Accessing the Cross Reference Tool: Click the "Find Equivalent Materials" icon next to the material whose carbon footprint you wish to reduce. A window will appear providing the options for the alternative paths including the Cross-Reference Table. Clicking the Cross Reference Table button, allows access to the customization options for the search that will help generate a tailored list of cross-referenced materials.
Country/Standard Drop-Down: Use this list to filter replacement materials by specific country standards, making it easier to find a suitable replacement that complies with your local regulations.
Generate Alternative Materials List: The Cross Reference tool generates a list of potential lower-carbon alternatives. These materials will have the same calculation parameters (e.g., manufacturing route, transportation) as the original material, ensuring a consistent comparison.
Hint: There is also an option of selecting and adding the material instead of replacing it.
When selecting materials in the Cross Reference pop-up window, the list of materials can be extensive, so users can refine their search by analyzing the synthetic values of specific properties. Property selection is available by clicking the icon in the table header on the left. Additionally, users can add multiple materials to the Carbon Footprint tool for comparison and decide later, similar to the process in Compliance Assessor.
Comparing materials
Before adding or replacing a material in cross-referencing, users can compare potential alternatives based on chemical composition, mechanical properties, and physical properties of the target material. This comparison helps in selecting the most suitable alternative with greater accuracy.
The comparison in the Cross Reference can be added to the Report Builder or downloaded as a PDF file, allowing for easier review and analysis of the results.
Accessing the Equivalents Finder Tool: Click the "Find Equivalent Materials" icon next to the material whose carbon footprint you wish to reduce. A window will appear providing the options for the alternative paths including the Equivalents Finder. Clicking the Equivalents Finder button, allows access to the customization options for the search that will help generate a tailored list of equivalent materials.
Select Equivalency Criteria: Choose an alternative material based on properties (Mechanical Properties, Physical Properties, as well as, Chemical Composition). The search can be refined by selecting multiple properties, depending on the level of equivalency you need for the replacement material. This ensures the alternative has similar properties to the original material.
Country/Standard Drop-Down: Use this dropdown list to filter equivalent materials by specific country standards, making it easier to find a suitable replacement that complies with your local regulations.
Generate Alternative Materials List: The material list generated from the selected property parameters includes materials either from a different group than the original, matching the selected criteria, or from the same group as the original, also matching the criteria. It's possible to filter the results to view either of these two groups separately or see the entire list, which includes materials from both the same and different groups.
It is important to note that processing parameters are excluded from the CO2 calculations for equivalent materials from different material groups listed in the table, as these materials may not always share the same applicable processes.
Materials generated from Equivalents finder, can be used as a replacing material or compared with the original, as well as added to the existing Carbon Footprint list or Material List Builder.
Select Equivalency Criteria: Choose an alternative material based on equivalency categories such as Identical, Official, Composition 100%, Implicit, or SmartCross. You can also choose to search through All Categories, depending on the level of equivalency you need for the replacement material. This ensures the alternative has similar properties to the original material (See for more details).
