The development of standards in the silicone industry is fundamental, guiding, and constraining for low-carbon transformation. It is a core support for shifting the industry from “passive emission reduction” to “systematic decarbonization.” The impact is reflected in four key areas:
Currently, carbon emission calculations vary among companies; some only account for direct combustion emissions and neglect embedded carbon in raw materials (e.g., industrial silicon) and indirect emissions from electricity. By establishing industry standards such as the Technical Specification for Carbon Footprint Accounting and Reporting of Silicone Products, a full life-cycle evaluation system covering “Cradle-to-Gate” can be built. This ensures that carbon data is accurate, comparable, and verifiable, providing a basis for carbon trading, green procurement, and export compliance (e.g., EU CBAM).
The government has issued the mandatory standard Energy Consumption Limits per Unit Product of Silicone Monomers, specifying entry values, limits, and benchmark values. In the future, these will be further refined for products such as DMC and silicone rubber. Compliance is required for project approval, financing, and export certification, prompting high-energy small plants to accelerate technological upgrades or exit, optimizing overall production capacity.
Recommended standards such as Technical Specifications for Green Design Product Evaluation – Silicone Polymers set indicators for raw material selection (e.g., bio-based silicon sources), process optimization (low by-products, closed systems), and recyclability, integrating low-carbon concepts into the product development stage. Companies designing to these standards can simultaneously meet ESG supply chain requirements of downstream customers (e.g., PV module manufacturers, new energy vehicle companies).
International brands generally require suppliers to provide carbon footprint statements compliant with ISO 14067, PAS 2050, etc. Domestic standards aligned with international norms can avoid duplicate testing and reduce compliance costs. At the same time, certifications such as “Green Factory” and “Zero-Carbon Products” are based on standards, serving as a “pass” for companies to obtain green financing, participate in government procurement, and enter high-end markets in Europe and the U.S.
Standards are not constraints; they are the “navigation map” and “measuring tool” for low-carbon transformation in the industry. As standards for carbon accounting, energy efficiency, and green products are rapidly improved, the industry will leave behind the “each on its own” approach to decarbonization and enter a new stage of high-quality, low-carbon development that is verifiable, traceable, and certifiable.
