Cotton Pads (pack)

Material Composition Assumptions

Cotton pads consist primarily of natural cotton fibers extracted from cotton plants through industrial processing. A standard pack of cotton pads weighing approximately 80 grams contains roughly 70 grams of cotton fibers, representing 87.5% of the total product weight. Chemical treatments including bleaching agents account for approximately 5 grams or 6.25% of the composition, applied during manufacturing to enhance absorbency and achieve the characteristic white appearance. Some commercial varieties incorporate synthetic additives to improve durability and texture, though these typically represent less than 2% of the total weight. Plastic packaging materials, commonly polyethylene or polypropylene films, contribute the remaining 3.25% of the total product weight at approximately 2.6 grams per pack.

Manufacturing Geography

China serves as the primary manufacturing region for cotton pads, accounting for the largest share of global production capacity. The country operates extensive textile processing facilities that convert raw cotton into finished personal care products through specialized manufacturing lines. China’s manufacturing infrastructure benefits from proximity to major cotton-producing regions and established supply chains for chemical processing materials. The national electricity grid operates at an average carbon intensity of 555 gCO2e per kilowatt-hour, reflecting the country’s continued reliance on coal-fired power generation. This relatively high grid intensity significantly influences the carbon footprint of energy-intensive manufacturing processes including bleaching, drying, and packaging operations.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2e/kWh	52	Baseline
India	708 gCO2e/kWh	58	+12%
Turkey	387 gCO2e/kWh	47	-10%
United States	386 gCO2e/kWh	46	-12%
Germany	311 gCO2e/kWh	43	-17%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Submit detailed cotton sourcing data including geographic origin, cultivation methods, and fertilizer application rates to replace default agricultural emission factors.

2. Provide facility-specific energy consumption records and local electricity grid carbon intensity measurements for manufacturing operations.

3. Document actual transportation distances and modes from cotton farms through processing facilities to final packaging locations.

4. Submit laboratory analysis of chemical treatments and processing aids used in bleaching and absorbency enhancement procedures.

5. Provide waste stream data for production byproducts and packaging materials including recycling rates and disposal methods.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions encompassing cotton cultivation, textile processing, manufacturing, and packaging through distribution ready state.

• Scope 3 emissions dominate the carbon footprint due to intensive agricultural inputs and chemical processing requirements in upstream cotton production.

• The functional unit covers one standard retail pack containing approximately 80 pieces of cotton pads weighing 80 grams total.

• Consumer use phase emissions are excluded as cotton pads require no additional energy or water during application.

• End-of-life disposal impacts are included only for synthetic components that persist beyond typical biodegradation timeframes.

• Regional variations in water availability and irrigation energy requirements create significant uncertainty in agricultural emission factors.