Dish Soap (500ml)

Material Composition Assumptions

This assessment assumes a typical 500ml liquid dish soap product weighing approximately 500 grams. The formulation consists of sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate serving as the primary surfactant component, representing roughly 15-20% of the total weight. Water forms the bulk carrier medium at approximately 70-75% by weight. Sodium chloride acts as a viscosity modifier at 2-3% concentration. Fragrance compounds, preservatives like methylisothiazolinone, and synthetic dyes such as Blue 1 or Yellow 5 collectively comprise less than 2% of the formulation. The container utilizes either PET or HDPE plastic construction weighing approximately 25-30 grams, representing 5-6% of the total product weight.

Manufacturing Geography

Global dish soap production concentrates primarily in China, which accounts for the largest share of international detergent manufacturing capacity. Chinese facilities benefit from established petrochemical supply chains that provide surfactant precursors and integrated manufacturing infrastructure. The electrical grid intensity averages 555 gCO2/kWh, reflecting the country’s continued reliance on coal-fired power generation for industrial operations. Manufacturing energy requirements include chemical processing equipment, mixing systems, and packaging line operations that collectively drive the direct emissions profile.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2/kWh	38	Baseline
Germany	366 gCO2/kWh	35	-8%
United States	386 gCO2/kWh	36	-5%
India	708 gCO2/kWh	42	+11%
France	57 gCO2/kWh	28	-26%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Submit detailed surfactant sourcing documentation specifying whether fatty alcohol sulfates derive from petroleum or renewable feedstocks, including supplier-specific production emission factors.

2. Provide manufacturing facility energy consumption data with actual electricity source breakdown and any renewable energy procurement agreements that reduce grid dependency.

3. Supply packaging specifications detailing recycled content percentages for plastic containers and alternative packaging materials that may reduce upstream emissions.

4. Document transportation logistics including shipping distances, modal splits between ocean freight and trucking, and distribution center locations to refine supply chain emissions.

5. Furnish product formulation details highlighting any bio-based surfactant alternatives or concentrated formulations that alter the typical emission intensity assumptions.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions including raw material extraction, chemical processing, manufacturing, and packaging but excludes consumer use phase impacts
• Scope 3 emissions dominate the profile due to upstream surfactant production processes and petrochemical feedstock requirements
• Functional unit reflects one 500ml container of standard-strength liquid dish soap suitable for typical household dishwashing applications
• Assessment excludes end-of-life disposal scenarios, consumer transportation from retail locations, and variable use patterns across different household types
• Data gaps exist around specific surfactant production pathways and regional variation in chemical manufacturing emission factors
• Use phase water heating represents the largest total life cycle impact but falls outside the cradle-to-gate boundary applied for this assessment