Ceramic Dinner Plate

A ceramic dinner plate represents a durable tableware option with significant embodied carbon primarily driven by high-temperature manufacturing processes. The production sequence involves multiple energy-intensive firing stages that create the majority of greenhouse gas emissions associated with these kitchen items.

Material Composition Assumptions

The carbon footprint calculation assumes a standard ceramic dinner plate weighing approximately 300 grams with the following material composition:

• Clay (primary mineral base): 180g (60%)
• Feldspar: 45g (15%)
• Quartz: 30g (10%)
• Kaolin: 30g (10%)
• Glaze materials (glass formers, fluxes, opacifiers, colorants): 15g (5%)

These raw materials undergo extensive processing before reaching the final firing stages where ceramic transformation occurs through vitrification at temperatures exceeding 1000°C.

Manufacturing Geography

China dominates global ceramic tableware production due to abundant raw material deposits, established manufacturing infrastructure, and cost-effective production capabilities. The national electricity grid relies heavily on coal-fired power generation, contributing 555 gCO2/kWh to the manufacturing carbon footprint. This grid intensity significantly influences the Scope 2 emissions from electricity consumption during production processes, particularly during the extended high-temperature firing cycles required for ceramic formation.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2/kWh	600g CO2e	Baseline
India	708 gCO2/kWh	645g CO2e	+7.5%
Germany	366 gCO2/kWh	535g CO2e	-10.8%
Brazil	75 gCO2/kWh	420g CO2e	-30.0%
United States	386 gCO2/kWh	545g CO2e	-9.2%

Provenance Override Guidance

Suppliers can submit the following data types to override the default CCI score:

1. Kiln fuel composition and energy consumption records detailing natural gas versus coal usage during biscuit and glost firing cycles
2. Electricity consumption data with specific grid mix or renewable energy procurement documentation for the manufacturing facility
3. Transportation distance and mode documentation for raw material sourcing including clay, feldspar, and specialized glaze components
4. Production efficiency metrics demonstrating kiln utilization rates, batch sizing optimization, and waste reduction measures
5. Raw material specifications including recycled content percentages and local versus imported mineral sourcing data

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions for a single ceramic dinner plate from raw material extraction through manufacturing completion
• Scope 1 emissions dominate due to direct fuel combustion in kilns during the firing process, which requires sustained high temperatures for ceramic vitrification
• Scope 3 upstream emissions include raw material processing, transportation impacts, and embedded carbon in specialized glaze formulations
• The functional unit assumes a standard 10-inch diameter dinner plate suitable for typical household dining applications
• End-of-life disposal and consumer use phase impacts are excluded from this manufacturing-focused assessment
• Data gaps exist for small-scale artisanal producers and specialty ceramic formulations with non-standard material compositions