The proof behind the change.
Better by measure.
The figures behind Colorplan's move to biomethane - including manufacturing, transport to Hull and GF Smith's own operational emissions.
We believe environmental claims should be specific, understandable and open to scrutiny. The figures below show what is included, what is excluded and where the biggest change has occurred.
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Three routes. One comparable boundary.
To compare the previous and current manufacturing routes fairly, we include manufacturing emissions, transport to Hull and GF Smith’s Scope 1+2 emissions up to our despatch gate. Onward shipping to customers is excluded because it varies by destination, mode, distance and cargo.
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Frequently asked questions.
Where is Colorplan manufactured?
Colorplan is designed and developed by GF Smith in Hull and is now manufactured in Italy. The move has enabled a significant change to the energy used in manufacturing while preserving Colorplan’s colour, quality and creative performance.
What is biomethane?
Biomethane is a renewable gas produced from organic matter. It can be used in place of conventional fossil gas in industrial processes.
What does "around 60% lower" mean?
It refers to manufacturing emissions for a typical Colorplan specification. The comparison is 1.50 kg CO₂e/kg previously and 0.60 kg CO₂e/kg with biomethane. Results vary by specification.
Does transport from Italy cancel out the benefit?
No. Transport emissions to Hull are higher, but the manufacturing reduction is much larger. Including inbound transport, the current Colorplan figure is 0.728 tCO₂e/t versus 1.648 tCO₂e/t for the previous UK manufacturing route—about 56% lower.
What is included in the dispatch gate figure?
Manufacturing emissions, inbound transport to Hull and 0.040 tCO₂e/t from Scope 1+2 activities up to our despatch gate. It excludes shipping to the customer.
Why is onward customer shipping excluded?
Its impact varies materially by destination, distance, transport mode, vessel and cargo. Excluding it allows the manufacturing routes to be compared at the same GF Smith dispatch-gate boundary.
Does B Corp certification verify this product claim?
No. B Corp recertification is a company-wide measure of social, environmental and governance performance. The Colorplan emissions claim is supported separately by product life-cycle assessment data.
Is Colorplan carbon neutral?
No such claim is being made. The campaign describes measured reductions within clearly stated boundaries; it does not claim that Colorplan is carbon-neutral, carbon-free, or zero-carbon.