Paper and Cardboard

Material Composition Assumptions

The default material profile for paper and cardboard products covers a blended mix of:

• Virgin kraft linerboard: Produced from softwood pulp via the kraft process, approximately 100-200 g/m2 basis weight
• Corrugated medium (fluting): Semi-chemical or recycled fiber fluting, 100-150 g/m2
• Recycled containerboard: Post-consumer recycled fiber content typically 40-60% for industry average
• Chemical additives: Starch (2-5% by weight for bonding), sizing agents, retention aids, and bleaching chemicals (for white grades)
• Water: Pulp and paper manufacturing is water-intensive, using 10-20 liters per kg of finished product

The CCI score of 1.1 kgCO2e per kg represents a conservative estimate for mixed virgin and recycled content paper/cardboard, positioned between the DEFRA virgin cardboard factor (0.80 kgCO2e/kg) and the Carbonfact virgin corrugated mean (1.14 kgCO2e/kg), reflecting a predominantly virgin default.

Manufacturing Geography

The default assumes a global blended manufacturing region, with primary production in the EU, China, USA, and Brazil.

• Grid intensity: 400 gCO2e/kWh (blended estimate). Actual values vary significantly: Scandinavian mills operate at ~30-50 gCO2e/kWh, Chinese mills at ~565 gCO2e/kWh, and US mills at ~390 gCO2e/kWh.
• Rationale: Pulp and paper production is geographically distributed. The EU (including Scandinavia) and North America have large integrated mills with significant biomass energy use, which reduces Scope 1 fossil fuel dependency. Chinese production relies more heavily on coal-fired power. The blended average is conservative.

The pulp and paper industry is unusual in that many mills generate a substantial portion of their energy from biomass (black liquor, bark, wood waste), which reduces the fossil fuel component of Scope 1 emissions but does not eliminate it.

Regional Variation

Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated Score Adjustment
Scandinavia (Sweden/Finland)	~30-50 gCO2e/kWh	-50% on Scope 2, high biomass energy (saves ~0.2 kgCO2e)
EU average	~300 gCO2e/kWh	-25% on Scope 2 (saves ~0.06 kgCO2e)
USA average	~390 gCO2e/kWh	Approximately baseline
China	~565 gCO2e/kWh	+40% on Scope 2 (adds ~0.10 kgCO2e)
Brazil	~80 gCO2e/kWh	-80% on Scope 2 (saves ~0.20 kgCO2e); eucalyptus plantations also affect Scope 3

Note: Regional variation in grid intensity has a significant effect because Scope 2 (purchased electricity) represents approximately 22% of the total footprint. However, the dominant factor is Scope 1 (on-site fuel combustion for steam), which varies based on the mill’s biomass energy share rather than the regional grid.

Provenance Override Guidance

A supplier or manufacturer may override the default CCI score by submitting:

1. Mill-specific carbon footprint data certified per ISO 14067 or EN 15804 (for construction-grade products).
2. Recycled content verification with chain-of-custody certification (FSC Recycled, SFI, or equivalent).
3. Energy source disclosure including biomass energy percentage, CHP (combined heat and power) efficiency, and any renewable electricity procurement.
4. FEFCO or CEPI member data for European corrugated board production, which is benchmarked annually.

Mills with high biomass energy shares (e.g., Scandinavian integrated kraft mills) may legitimately claim scores 40-60% below the default.

Methodology Notes

• CCI score of 1.1 kgCO2e per kg is a conservative estimate for mixed paper and cardboard, defaulting to predominantly virgin content. DEFRA reports 0.80-0.91 kgCO2e/kg for virgin grades; Carbonfact meta-analysis of 17 studies shows 1.14 kgCO2e/kg for virgin corrugated cardboard. The score balances these sources.
• Scope breakdown: Scope 1 dominates at 41% (0.45 kgCO2e/kg), reflecting the energy-intensive nature of pulp cooking, drying, and steam generation. Scope 2 is 23% (0.25 kgCO2e/kg) from purchased electricity for paper machine drives, pumps, and auxiliaries. Scope 3 is 36% (0.40 kgCO2e/kg) covering forestry, chemical inputs, and transport. The US EPA GHGRP data confirms that 24% of US pulp and paper industry emissions are from purchased electricity (Scope 2), with the remainder from on-site combustion (Scope 1).
• Recycled content effect: Recycled paper and cardboard typically has 15-30% lower emissions than virgin equivalents. DEFRA reports recycled cardboard at 0.70 kgCO2e/kg versus 0.80 kgCO2e/kg for virgin. The default assumes virgin content for conservatism.
• Biogenic carbon: Carbon sequestered in wood fiber during tree growth is not credited in the CCI score, consistent with the GHG Protocol approach of reporting biogenic carbon separately.
• Functional unit: One kilogram of paper or cardboard product, cradle-to-gate, excluding use-phase and end-of-life.
• Data gaps: Significant variation exists between paper grades (tissue vs. newsprint vs. corrugated vs. coated printing paper). The score represents a mid-range uncoated grade. Coated papers and specialty grades may be 20-40% higher due to additional coating chemicals and energy.