Meaningful avenues for allocating bio-based/circular materials sustainability characteristics through the supply chain

Abstract: When it is impractical, today, to entirely replace conventional, fossil-derived materials with bio-based/circular substitutes at all stages of the detergent supply chain, material providers can turn to mass balance accounting, in conjunction with third-party verification, to support investment into a greener economy.  Options for attributing proportions of green outputs from inputs and for allocating sustainability characteristics (e.g., CO2 emissions), from precursor material acquisition all the way through final product manufacturing, will be demonstrated.  Concepts and specifics of chain of custody traceability will also be covered, to illustrate how an accurate representation of the bio-based/circular material quantity, source, and identity is communicated between parties.  Potential on-product advertising examples will be shared, with consideration of necessary labeling and/or restrictions from claims when minimal concentration thresholds are not met. 
A wide variety of sustainability claims – and both common and divergent opportunities and rigors connected to third-party certification (e.g., ISCC+, RSPO, BioPreferred) – are available to detergent brand owners/finished product producers, intermediate ingredient manufacturers, and providers of bio-based/circular feedstocks (e.g., naphtha, ethylene).  This presentation is intended to provoke discussion of what certifications could be most translatable to (and desired by) commercial buyers and consumers and what could be most implementable for providers, while upholding utmost integrity to sustainability and transparency concerns.