Adhesives and Sealants
Chemicals Low Confidence
Carbon Cost Index Score
3 kgCO₂e / per kg
Per kg
3 kgCO₂e / kg
Methodology v1.0 · Last reviewed 2026-04-08
Scope Breakdown
| Scope | kgCO₂e | % of Total | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 0.4 | 13% | |
| Scope 2 | 0.3 | 10% | |
| Scope 3 | 2.3 | 77% | |
| Total | 3 | 100% |
Emission Hotspots
| Emission Hotspot | Scope | Est. % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Polymer resin production (PU, epoxy, acrylic, silicone feedstocks) | S3 | 45% |
| Petrochemical and chemical precursor manufacturing | S3 | 22% |
| Mixing, compounding, and filling | S2 | 13% |
| Solvent production (for solvent-based adhesives) | S3 | 10% |
| Packaging (cartridges, tubes, drums) and transport | S3 | 10% |
Manufacturing Geography
- Region
- USA, EU (Germany), China, Japan
- Grid Intensity
- 390 gCO2e/kWh (IEA 2024, USA); 565 gCO2e/kWh (IEA 2024, China)
Material Composition Assumptions
The default reference product is 1 kg of general-purpose construction adhesive or sealant, representative of the market-weighted average across major adhesive types:
- Polymer base resin: Polyurethane (PU), silicone, acrylic, epoxy, or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) depending on application. Resin content typically 20-60% of formulated product mass.
- Fillers: Calcium carbonate, silica, or clay to provide body and reduce cost. 20-50% of mass for sealants.
- Solvents: For solvent-based adhesives, typically 20-40% volatile organic solvents (toluene, acetone, MEK). Water-based adhesives use water as the carrier.
- Additives: Plasticizers, thickeners, UV stabilizers, colorants, curing agents. 5-15% of mass.
- Packaging: Cartridges (HDPE or PP), tubes (aluminum or plastic), or bulk containers.
The adhesives market is extremely diverse — from consumer wood glue to industrial structural epoxies. Emission intensity varies from ~1.5 kgCO2e/kg for simple PVA/water-based glues to ~6-8 kgCO2e/kg for specialty epoxy or silicone adhesives. The default score represents a market-weighted average.
Manufacturing Geography
Adhesives manufacturing is globally distributed, near end markets:
- USA: Henkel, H.B. Fuller, 3M, Bostik. Major production in the Midwest and Gulf Coast.
- EU (Germany): Henkel (Düsseldorf), Sika (Switzerland), Bostik (France).
- China: Growing domestic production for construction and packaging adhesives.
- Japan: Nitto Denko, ThreeBond. High-specialty grades.
Regional Variation
| Manufacturing Region | Estimated Score (per kg) | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| USA (default) | 3.0 kgCO2e | Baseline |
| EU | 2.7 kgCO2e | -10% |
| China | 3.4 kgCO2e | +13% |
| Japan | 2.9 kgCO2e | -3% |
Provenance Override Guidance
- Product-level EPD or PCF for the specific adhesive product.
- Formulation data: Resin type and content percentage. Water-based adhesives typically have lower emissions than solvent-based equivalents.
- Supplier PCF for resins: MDI, epoxy, or silicone supplier carbon data.
- Bio-based adhesive data: Starch-based, soy-based, or lignin-based adhesives may have different emission profiles.
Methodology Notes
- CCI score of 3 kgCO2e/kg is a conservative market-weighted estimate based on EPA USEEIO sector data and PlasticsEurope resin eco-profiles. The score reflects a mix of PU, acrylic, and silicone adhesive types.
- Scope breakdown: Scope 3 at 77% (2.3 kgCO2e/kg) from polymer resin and chemical precursor production. Scope 1 at 13% (0.4 kgCO2e/kg). Scope 2 at 10% (0.3 kgCO2e/kg).
- Confidence: Low because the adhesives category is extremely heterogeneous and has limited published peer-reviewed LCA data. USEEIO sector-level data is the primary basis.
- Functional unit: 1 kg of formulated adhesive/sealant, cradle to gate.
Related Concepts
Related Categories
Sources
- EPA USEEIO (2020) — US Environmentally-Extended Input-Output Model v2.0. Sector 'Adhesive manufacturing' (NAICS 325520). Provides economy-wide emissions intensity of approximately 2.5-3.5 kgCO2e per dollar of output, translating to approximately 2-4 kgCO2e/kg for typical adhesive products.
- Pizzi & Mittal (2018) — Handbook of Adhesive Technology, 3rd Edition. CRC Press. Documents adhesive chemistry, formulations, and manufacturing processes including energy and chemical inputs.
- PlasticsEurope (2014) — Eco-profiles for polyurethane precursors (MDI, polyols) and epoxy resins. MDI at approximately 3.5-4.5 kgCO2e/kg; liquid epoxy resin at approximately 4.5-6.0 kgCO2e/kg.
- GHG Protocol (2014) — Scope 3 Calculation Guidance. Generic emission factors for chemical products.
- IEA (2024) — Emissions Factors 2024. Grid intensities for major chemical manufacturing countries.