To enable footprint calculations, Pickler relies on the IDEMAT database, developed by Sustainability Impact Metrics, a spinoff of Delft Technical University.
This database contains environmental data for thousands of materials and processes, based on recent scientific publications and industry data.
Why the need for a secondary data in LCA
Primary data is the product specific data, coming directly from the source. For example the material, the weight, or the energy used in your own production.
In an ideal world, you would also know all the environmental data behind their raw materials and upstream processes. In reality, this is impossible. You would need detailed information about:
the energy and emissions from producing each raw material
chemical and processing steps in polymer or paper production
electricity generation
transport and logistics emissions
recycling and waste treatment
Basically no company has access to this level of upstream detail.
This is why secondary data exists
Secondary data provides the environmental impact behind materials and processes so you don’t need to collect this information yourself. Pickler uses IDEMAT as the single source of this secondary data.
Frequent updates and how these affect your data
Because TU Delft regularly updates IDEMAT (roughly every three months) with new data based on ew research. This can be new materials, updated energy mixes for regions, etc.
Pickler pushes these updates to keep your impact results accurate and compliant with current standards.
When a new IDEMAT version is available, you’ll see a notification in your account. You have 30 days to accept the update. If you don’t take action, Pickler applies it automatically so your calculations don’t become outdated.
These updates don’t change your inputs—only the scientific background data behind them. As a result, you may see small shifts in your footprint results. This is normal and a good thing: it means your data reflects the latest science and stays reliable for customers, audits and regulation.
Why Pickler uses IDEMAT
Pickler chose IDEMAT because it reflects current industrial practice, especially for plastics, electricity, and transport — the main drivers of packaging footprints. It provides up-to-date data for modern production and logistics, making it well-suited for product-level decisions and for meeting EU regulatory requirement
Key characteristics of IDEMAT:
Aligned with major LCA standards, including ISO 14040/44, EN 15804, and the ILCD handbook.
Developed by the Sustainable Impact Metrics Foundation (TU Delft), using academic research and recent industry data.
Regularly updated, especially for plastics, energy mixes, and transport — critical for packaging LCAs.
Transparent modelling rules with clear references for each dataset.
Designed for product-level use, making it a strong fit for packaging comparisons and Fast-Track LCA.
By using IDEMAT as a single, up-to-date source of scientific data, Pickler ensures every product is calculated consistently and accurately. This gives you a reliable foundation for understanding your true footprint and comparing packaging options with confidence.