Inline Skates (pair)

Material Composition Assumptions

A typical pair of inline skates weighs approximately 1.8 kilograms and consists of several distinct material components. The plastic or recycled plastic shell and frame represent the largest portion at roughly 650 grams, comprising about 36% of the total weight. Polyurethane wheels contribute approximately 480 grams or 27% of the product mass. The steel or aluminum frame and base components add around 420 grams, accounting for 23% of the weight. Rubber grips and boot materials make up roughly 180 grams or 10% of the total. Steel or ceramic bearings, while critical for functionality, represent a smaller portion at about 70 grams or 4% of the weight. Packaging materials, typically cardboard and paper, are excluded from the product weight calculation but contribute to the overall carbon footprint assessment.

Manufacturing Geography

The majority of inline skates are manufactured in China, where large-scale production facilities benefit from established supply chains for plastic components, metal frames, and polyurethane wheels. Chinese manufacturing regions typically operate on a grid intensity of 555 gCO2e/kWh, which reflects the country’s continued reliance on coal-fired power generation despite recent renewable energy investments. This manufacturing concentration exists due to cost advantages, proximity to raw material suppliers, and established expertise in producing sporting goods and recreational equipment at scale.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2e/kWh	8.0	Baseline
European Union	275 gCO2e/kWh	6.8	-15%
United States	386 gCO2e/kWh	7.2	-10%
India	708 gCO2e/kWh	9.2	+15%
Southeast Asia	620 gCO2e/kWh	8.6	+8%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Submit detailed material composition data specifying the exact types and quantities of plastics, metals, and polyurethane compounds used in production, including any recycled content percentages.

2. Provide manufacturing facility location and local grid electricity sources, including any renewable energy procurement agreements or on-site clean energy generation.

3. Document transportation routes and methods from component suppliers through final assembly and distribution to retail locations.

4. Supply packaging specifications detailing materials used, recycled content, and end-of-life disposal or recycling programs.

5. Furnish production process energy consumption data covering injection molding, metal forming, wheel manufacturing, and final assembly operations.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions covering raw material extraction through manufacturing and packaging, excluding use phase and end-of-life disposal
• Scope 3 emissions dominate at 80% due to materials processing and component manufacturing occurring upstream from final assembly
• Functional unit assumes a standard recreational inline skate pair weighing 1.8 kilograms with typical material composition
• Assessment excludes replacement parts, maintenance activities, and transportation by end users during the product use phase
• Limited data availability for specialized bearing materials and advanced wheel compounds may affect precision of component-level emissions estimates
• Zero operational emissions during use phase reflect the human-powered nature of inline skating as a transportation and recreational activity