CarbonQuota

Core Features

CarbonQuota's calculators use a methodology that is aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Life Cycle Standard and informed by ISO life-cycle assessment and product carbon footprint standards, with models tailored to the realities of substrates, presses, inks, finishing and logistics in print and packaging supply chains. Building on that methodology, some of its main features are:

• Activity-based product footprints. Calculates carbon at job level from specific materials, formats, run lengths, energy use and logistics, rather than spend-based estimates, to generate footprints that reflect how products are actually made.

• Sector-specific data models. Uses a proprietary database built from verified data across hundreds of production environments in print, packaging and media, covering substrates, ink coverage, coatings, finishing, transport and end-of-life assumptions.

• Embedded workflow integrations. Connects its carbon calculation engine into MIS and ERP platforms such as Esko’s S2, PrintVis, ePS Technique, Clarity and printIQ, so users can access footprint data inside existing estimating and production workflows.

• Automated calculators and plug-ins. Offers tools such as CarbonConnect and CarbonEssentials for instant footprints on every quote, plus options to feed data via integrations, CSV upload or web forms, with dashboards for customer-level reporting.

• Advisory and certification services. Provides consulting, life-cycle assessments and certification of products or operations to help clients design reduction roadmaps and communicate verified performance to customers and stakeholders.

Closing Insights

CarbonQuota grew out of its founders’ long experience in print and their frustration with sustainability claims that relied on averages rather than measurable data. CEO Dominic Harris has described how requests from major brands for more granular carbon information on printed products led to the development of a platform combining life-cycle assessment with a print-specific emissions database. The platform now focuses on packaging, print, media and logistics, and participates in cross-industry initiatives such as the Manifesto for More Sustainable Print and the PrintGreen programme. The platform has also attracted investment from Codex Capital and Innovate UK grants and collaborates with software providers including Esko and PrintVis to embed carbon analysis into production systems.

As packaging EPR schemes make brand owners financially responsible for packaging waste and require detailed reporting by material, format and recyclability, the same data that underpins product-level carbon footprints is becoming a regulatory necessity. CarbonQuota’s activity-based calculators use this packaging data to generate product footprints, and the company offers its platform and consulting services to help organisations understand their packaging portfolios and prepare submissions for EPR and other reporting requirements.