Plant models by sector

Build your iron & steel plant in the Balance Twin

Step by step, and which of the 8 routes to pick.

1. Open Model your plant (/twin) → “New plant model”: a name and the CN code of your good → “Create and open the editor” (from an EU buyer's invitation, open their link instead).
2. Pick “Iron & steel”, then the route below that matches your site.
3. Work through “To do”: click each field, enter it in “Edit selection” in the unit shown, Save. Amber = please confirm.
4. Precursors you buy in: ask that supplier for data (Supplier data / sub-supplier request) — their figure is then linked in, never typed.
5. “Reports & submit”: submit for review, then download the PDF, registry XML and audit bundle.

Sintered ore — choose when: Your plant sinters or pelletises iron ore. Pick this only for a stand-alone sinter plant — if the sinter feeds your own blast furnace, model it as a step inside the pig-iron route instead. You enter: Iron ore / fines in t; Coke breeze in GJ; Fluxes (limestone / dolomite) in t (optional); Grid electricity in MWh. For CBAM, direct AND indirect emissions count for this good. Reference: Annex II §3.11; guidance §5.6.3.1.

Ferro-alloys (FeMn / FeCr / FeNi) — choose when: You produce FeMn, FeCr or FeNi in a submerged-arc furnace. Not for stainless or alloy steel — that is a crude-steel route. You enter: Mn / Cr / Ni ore in t; Sinter / pellets in t (optional); Coke / coal reductant in GJ; Graphite electrodes in t; Fluxes in t (optional); Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: sintered ore. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.12; guidance §5.6.3.2.

Pig iron — Blast furnace — choose when: You run a blast furnace charged with coke and sinter/pellets. The classic integrated route — look for coke ovens and hot-blast stoves on site. You enter: Sintered ore / pellets in t; Coke in GJ; Pulverised coal (PCI) in GJ (optional); Fluxes (limestone / dolomite) in t; Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: sintered ore, ferro manganese, ferro chrome, ferro nickel. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.13; guidance §5.6.3.3.

Pig iron — Smelting reduction — choose when: You reduce ore without a coke oven or conventional blast furnace (Corex, Finex, HIsarna). Coal is charged directly. You enter: Iron ore / pellets in t; Coal in GJ; Fluxes in t (optional); Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: sintered ore. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.13; guidance §5.6.3.4.

Direct reduced iron (DRI) — choose when: You reduce ore in the solid state with gas or hydrogen (Midrex, Energiron, HYL) to make DRI/HBI — usually feeding an electric arc furnace. You enter: Iron ore pellets in t; Reductant (natural gas / H₂) in GJ; Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: ferro manganese, ferro chrome, ferro nickel. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.14; guidance §5.6.3.5.

Crude steel — Basic oxygen steelmaking — choose when: You blow oxygen through hot metal. Choose when liquid iron from a blast furnace is your main input and scrap is the minor one. You enter: Hot metal (blast furnace) in t; Steel scrap in t; Lime / fluxes in t (optional); Oxygen in t (optional); Fuel (natural gas / coke) in GJ (optional); Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: hot metal, pig iron, DRI (direct reduced iron), ferro manganese, ferro chrome, ferro nickel, crude steel. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.15; guidance §5.6.3.6 / §7.2.2.

Crude steel — Electric arc furnace — choose when: You melt scrap and/or DRI with electrodes. Choose when electricity and scrap dominate — your grid emission factor will drive the SEE. You enter: Steel scrap in t; DRI / HBI in t (optional); Pig iron in t (optional); Lime / fluxes in t (optional); Graphite electrodes / carbon in t (optional); Natural gas / oxy-fuel in GJ (optional); Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: DRI (direct reduced iron), pig iron, ferro manganese, ferro chrome, ferro nickel, crude steel. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.15; guidance §5.6.3.7.

Iron or steel products — choose when: You buy in crude steel or semis and only roll, form, coat or galvanise. Choose when you do not make steel yourself. You enter: Crude steel (semi-finished) in t; Reheat furnace fuel in GJ; Grid electricity in MWh; Coating materials in t (optional). Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: crude steel, pig iron, DRI (direct reduced iron), ferro manganese, ferro chrome, ferro nickel. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.16; guidance §5.6.3.8.

Note: Every emission figure is computed by the engine from what you enter — the guide never states one.

Open the Balance Twin →

Build your cement plant in the Balance Twin

Step by step, and which of the 4 routes to pick.

1. Open Model your plant (/twin) → “New plant model”: a name and the CN code of your good → “Create and open the editor” (from an EU buyer's invitation, open their link instead).
2. Pick “Cement”, then the route below that matches your site.
3. Work through “To do”: click each field, enter it in “Edit selection” in the unit shown, Save. Amber = please confirm.
4. Precursors you buy in: ask that supplier for data (Supplier data / sub-supplier request) — their figure is then linked in, never typed.
5. “Reports & submit”: submit for review, then download the PDF, registry XML and audit bundle.

Cement clinker — choose when: You operate a kiln that calcines limestone. Choose if you have a rotary kiln — process emissions from calcination will dominate your SEE. You enter: Limestone / raw meal in t; Kiln fuel (fossil) in GJ; Alternative / waste fuels in GJ (optional); Grid electricity in MWh. For CBAM, direct AND indirect emissions count for this good. Reference: Annex II §3.4; guidance §5.3.3.2 / §7.1.

Cement (grinding) — choose when: You only grind clinker with gypsum and additions. Choose for a grinding station that buys clinker in. You enter: Cement clinker in t; Calcined clay in t (optional); Gypsum / SCMs in t (optional); Drying fuel in GJ (optional); Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: clinker, calcined clay. For CBAM, direct AND indirect emissions count for this good. Reference: Annex II §3.5; guidance §5.3.3.3 / §7.1.

Calcined clay — choose when: You calcine clay as a supplementary cementitious material, not clinker. You enter: Raw clay in t; Calcination fuel in GJ; Grid electricity in MWh. For CBAM, direct AND indirect emissions count for this good. Reference: Annex II §3.3; guidance §5.3.3.1.

Aluminous cement — choose when: You make calcium-aluminate / high-alumina cement from bauxite and limestone — a different CN heading from Portland cement. You enter: Bauxite in t; Limestone in t; Kiln fuel in GJ; Grid electricity in MWh. For CBAM, direct AND indirect emissions count for this good. Reference: Annex II §3.6; guidance §5.3.3.4.

Note: Every emission figure is computed by the engine from what you enter — the guide never states one.

Open the Balance Twin →

Build your aluminium plant in the Balance Twin

Step by step, and which of the 3 routes to pick.

1. Open Model your plant (/twin) → “New plant model”: a name and the CN code of your good → “Create and open the editor” (from an EU buyer's invitation, open their link instead).
2. Pick “Aluminium”, then the route below that matches your site.
3. Work through “To do”: click each field, enter it in “Edit selection” in the unit shown, Save. Amber = please confirm.
4. Precursors you buy in: ask that supplier for data (Supplier data / sub-supplier request) — their figure is then linked in, never typed.
5. “Reports & submit”: submit for review, then download the PDF, registry XML and audit bundle.

Unwrought aluminium — Primary (electrolytic) — choose when: You run Hall-Héroult electrolysis potlines on alumina with carbon anodes. Electricity and PFCs from anode effects dominate. You enter: Alumina in t; Carbon anodes in t; Electricity in MWh. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.17; guidance §5.7.3.1 / §7.4.

Unwrought aluminium — Secondary (recycling) — choose when: You remelt scrap in a melting or refining furnace. Choose when your feed is scrap rather than alumina. You enter: Aluminium scrap in t (optional); Melting fuel in GJ; Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: primary aluminium. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.17; guidance §5.7.3.2.

Aluminium products — choose when: You extrude, roll or form bought-in unwrought aluminium. Choose when you neither smelt nor remelt. You enter: Unwrought aluminium in t; Process fuel in GJ (optional); Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: primary aluminium. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.18; guidance §5.7.3.

Note: Every emission figure is computed by the engine from what you enter — the guide never states one.

Open the Balance Twin →

Build your fertiliser plant in the Balance Twin

Step by step, and which of the 5 routes to pick.

1. Open Model your plant (/twin) → “New plant model”: a name and the CN code of your good → “Create and open the editor” (from an EU buyer's invitation, open their link instead).
2. Pick “Fertilisers”, then the route below that matches your site.
3. Work through “To do”: click each field, enter it in “Edit selection” in the unit shown, Save. Amber = please confirm.
4. Precursors you buy in: ask that supplier for data (Supplier data / sub-supplier request) — their figure is then linked in, never typed.
5. “Reports & submit”: submit for review, then download the PDF, registry XML and audit bundle.

Ammonia — Haber-Bosch + steam reforming — choose when: You make ammonia from natural gas by steam reforming — the most common route. Choose if your feedstock is gas. You enter: Natural gas (feedstock + fuel) in GJ; Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: hydrogen smr. For CBAM, direct AND indirect emissions count for this good. Reference: Annex II §3.7; guidance §5.5.3.1 / §7.3.

Ammonia — Haber-Bosch + gasification — choose when: You make ammonia by gasifying coal, petcoke or heavy oil. Choose if your feedstock is solid or heavy rather than gas. You enter: Coal / hydrocarbons (feedstock) in GJ; Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: hydrogen coal. For CBAM, direct AND indirect emissions count for this good. Reference: Annex II §3.7; guidance §5.5.3.2.

Nitric acid (Ostwald) — choose when: You oxidise ammonia over a platinum-gauze catalyst. N2O abatement efficiency materially changes the result. You enter: Ammonia in t; Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: ammonia. For CBAM, direct AND indirect emissions count for this good. Reference: Annex II §3.8; guidance §5.5.3.3.

Urea — choose when: You react ammonia with CO2. Note that the CO2 you bind into the urea is treated separately — see the route notes before entering quantities. You enter: Ammonia in t; CO₂ feedstock in t (optional); Process fuel in GJ (optional); Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: ammonia. For CBAM, direct AND indirect emissions count for this good. Reference: Annex II §3.9; guidance §5.5.3.4.

Mixed fertilizers (NPK / AN / CAN) — choose when: You blend or granulate NPK, AN or CAN from bought-in or own ammonia and nitric acid. Choose for the blending plant. You enter: Ammonia in t (optional); Nitric acid in t (optional); Urea in t (optional); K / P materials in t; Grid electricity in MWh. Precursors that can carry your supplier's linked data: ammonia, nitric acid, urea. For CBAM, direct AND indirect emissions count for this good. Reference: Annex II §3.10; guidance §5.5.3.5.

Note: Every emission figure is computed by the engine from what you enter — the guide never states one.

Open the Balance Twin →

Build your hydrogen plant in the Balance Twin

Step by step, and which of the 4 routes to pick.

1. Open Model your plant (/twin) → “New plant model”: a name and the CN code of your good → “Create and open the editor” (from an EU buyer's invitation, open their link instead).
2. Pick “Hydrogen”, then the route below that matches your site.
3. Work through “To do”: click each field, enter it in “Edit selection” in the unit shown, Save. Amber = please confirm.
4. Precursors you buy in: ask that supplier for data (Supplier data / sub-supplier request) — their figure is then linked in, never typed.
5. “Reports & submit”: submit for review, then download the PDF, registry XML and audit bundle.

Hydrogen — Steam reforming — choose when: You reform natural gas with steam — grey or blue hydrogen, the most common industrial route. You enter: Natural gas (feedstock + fuel) in GJ; Grid electricity in MWh. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.19; guidance §5.4.3.1 / §7.5.

Hydrogen — Partial oxidation (gasification) — choose when: You gasify coal, petcoke or heavy residues to produce hydrogen. You enter: Hydrocarbons / coal in GJ; Grid electricity in MWh. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.19; guidance §5.4.3.2.

Hydrogen — Electrolysis of water — choose when: You split water with electricity. Your grid or PPA emission factor is essentially the whole answer. You enter: Water in t (optional); Electricity in MWh. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.19; guidance §5.4.3.3.

Hydrogen — Chlor-alkali (by-product) — choose when: Hydrogen arises as a by-product of chlorine/caustic production. Choose only when hydrogen is not your main product — allocation rules apply. You enter: Brine in t (optional); Electricity in MWh. For CBAM, only DIRECT emissions count for this good (Annex II); still enter electricity — indirect emissions are reported. Reference: Annex II §3.19; guidance §5.4.3.4.

Note: Every emission figure is computed by the engine from what you enter — the guide never states one.

Open the Balance Twin →

Build your power plant (generation for export) in the Balance Twin

Step by step for the electricity route.

1. Open Model your plant (/twin) → “New plant model”: a name and the CN code of your good → “Create and open the editor” (from an EU buyer's invitation, open their link instead).
2. Pick “Electricity”, then the route below that matches your site.
3. Work through “To do”: click each field, enter it in “Edit selection” in the unit shown, Save. Amber = please confirm.
4. Precursors you buy in: ask that supplier for data (Supplier data / sub-supplier request) — their figure is then linked in, never typed.
5. “Reports & submit”: submit for review, then download the PDF, registry XML and audit bundle.

Electricity — choose when: You generate electricity as a CBAM good for export to the EU. Do NOT choose this for electricity you consume — that is an input flow inside your own product route. You enter: Fuel in GJ. For CBAM, direct AND indirect emissions count for this good. Reference: Annex I; guidance §7.6.

Note: Every emission figure is computed by the engine from what you enter — the guide never states one.

Open the Balance Twin →