Hair Brush (plastic/nylon)

Material Composition Assumptions

This assessment covers conventional hair brushes constructed primarily from synthetic materials. The bristle array consists of nylon fibers derived from polyamide polymers sourced from petroleum feedstocks, comprising approximately 15 grams or 15% of total product weight. The handle structure uses polypropylene or similar thermoplastic materials, representing roughly 75 grams or 75% of the brush mass. A cushioned base section incorporates rubber or flexible plastic compounds, contributing about 8 grams or 8% of weight. Minor metallic components such as ferrules or fasteners account for the remaining 2 grams or 2% of material composition, bringing total estimated weight to 100 grams per unit.

Manufacturing Geography

Hair brush production concentrates heavily in China, which processes the majority of global plastic personal care items through established petrochemical and manufacturing infrastructure. Chinese facilities benefit from integrated supply chains connecting nylon fiber producers with brush assembly operations, reducing transportation costs between production stages. The country’s electricity grid operates at an intensity of 555 gCO2/kWh according to International Energy Agency data, reflecting substantial reliance on coal-fired power generation. This carbon-intensive energy mix significantly elevates the manufacturing emissions profile compared to regions powered by renewable electricity sources.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2/kWh	38	Baseline
Germany	366 gCO2/kWh	34	-11%
Costa Rica	35 gCO2/kWh	26	-32%
India	708 gCO2/kWh	42	+11%
Poland	778 gCO2/kWh	44	+16%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Submit verified electricity consumption data and renewable energy certificates from the specific manufacturing facility where brush assembly occurs.

2. Provide detailed material composition specifications including exact nylon grade, plastic resin types, and any recycled content percentages with third-party verification.

3. Document transportation modes and distances for nylon fiber shipments from polymer production facilities to brush manufacturing locations.

4. Supply energy intensity measurements for nylon polymerization processes if vertically integrated, including process heat and chemical reaction energy requirements.

5. Present packaging material specifications with weight data and recycled content verification for primary and secondary packaging components.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions through completed manufacturing, excluding consumer use phase and end-of-life disposal impacts.

• Scope 3 emissions dominate the footprint due to energy-intensive nylon polymer production and the chemical processes required for petroleum-derived plastic materials.

• Functional unit covers one complete hair brush suitable for typical consumer grooming applications over an expected multi-year service life.

• Assessment excludes specialized brush variants with electronic components, natural bristle materials, or biodegradable handle constructions.

• Limited availability of manufacturer-specific process data creates uncertainty in regional adjustment factors for facilities using non-standard production methods.