Cardboard Beverage Carton (1L)

Material Composition Assumptions

A typical one-liter aseptic beverage carton weighs approximately 40 grams and consists of multiple laminated layers serving different barrier functions. The primary component is FSC-certified cardboard or paperboard accounting for 30 grams or 75 percent of total weight. Polyethylene plastic forms the liquid barrier and heat-sealable layers at 8 grams representing 20 percent by weight. A thin aluminum foil layer provides oxygen and light barrier properties at 2 grams or 5 percent of total mass. The plastic closure cap adds approximately 3 grams of additional polyethylene material. Food-grade adhesives and printing inks contribute minimal weight but are essential for structural integrity and consumer information display.

Manufacturing Geography

European manufacturing facilities dominate global beverage carton production due to concentrated technical expertise and proximity to major food and beverage brands. The region operates with a relatively clean electricity grid at 0.295 kg CO2e per kWh compared to global averages. Major production centers in Sweden, Germany, and Italy benefit from established forestry supply chains for sustainable paperboard sourcing. Manufacturing consolidation in Europe also enables efficient distribution networks serving both regional markets and export channels. The combination of renewable energy adoption and advanced waste treatment infrastructure makes European production the baseline for carbon footprint calculations.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
Sweden	0.045 kg CO2e/kWh	28	-33%
Germany	0.310 kg CO2e/kWh	41	-2%
Italy	0.420 kg CO2e/kWh	58	+38%
China	0.550 kg CO2e/kWh	67	+60%
United States	0.390 kg CO2e/kWh	52	+24%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Manufacturing facility electricity data - Provide specific grid emission factors or renewable energy certificates for the converting plant where paperboard is laminated into finished cartons.

2. Paperboard source verification - Submit documentation of forestry origin, transportation distances, and pulping facility energy sources for the cardboard component.

3. Plastic resin specifications - Provide carbon footprint data for polyethylene layers including any bio-based content or recycled material incorporation.

4. Aluminum foil provenance - Supply primary versus recycled aluminum content percentages and smelting facility energy sources for the barrier layer.

5. Distribution logistics optimization - Document transportation modes, distances, and packaging efficiency improvements from manufacturing to beverage filling facilities.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions through manufacturing completion before beverage filling operations
• Scope 3 dominates at 80 percent due to raw material production intensity and end-of-life treatment considerations
• Functional unit assumes standard one-liter Tetra Brik Aseptic format with aluminum barrier layer
• Beverage content, filling operations, and consumer refrigeration requirements are excluded from boundaries
• Regional recycling rate variations create significant uncertainty in end-of-life emission calculations
• Data gaps exist for emerging bio-based plastic alternatives and novel barrier coating technologies