Wet Pet Food Pouch

Material Composition Assumptions

This analysis assumes a standard 120-gram wet pet food pouch with multi-layer flexible packaging construction. The primary structural layer consists of polypropylene film representing approximately 75% of the packaging weight or roughly 9 grams. An aluminum foil barrier layer comprises 20% of the material composition at 2.4 grams, providing essential oxygen and light protection for product preservation. The remaining 5% consists of polyethylene terephthalate film weighing 0.6 grams for additional structural integrity. Emerging sustainable alternatives include mono-material polypropylene designs and carton-based formats containing up to 73% renewable fiber content, though these represent a small market share currently.

Manufacturing Geography

Primary manufacturing occurs across China, Thailand, and the United States, with China representing the largest production volume due to established flexible packaging infrastructure and cost advantages. The carbon intensity of China’s electrical grid at 554 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per megawatt-hour significantly influences the manufacturing emissions profile. Thailand serves as a key regional hub for Southeast Asian markets with moderate grid intensity, while United States facilities primarily supply domestic demand with varied regional grid characteristics. The geographic distribution reflects proximity to both raw material suppliers and major pet food manufacturing centers.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	554 kgCO2e/MWh	52	Baseline
Thailand	423 kgCO2e/MWh	49	-6%
United States (Average)	386 kgCO2e/MWh	47	-10%
Germany	366 kgCO2e/MWh	46	-12%
Brazil	88 kgCO2e/MWh	38	-27%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Specific ingredient sourcing data including protein source locations, processing methods, and transportation distances for all food components within the pouch.

2. Detailed packaging material specifications with actual polymer grades, layer thicknesses, barrier coating types, and recycled content percentages used in production.

3. Manufacturing facility energy consumption profiles including renewable energy procurement, process heating fuel sources, and sterilization equipment efficiency ratings.

4. Transportation logistics documentation covering inbound raw material shipping modes, finished product distribution networks, and packaging density optimization measures.

5. End-of-life management data including local recycling infrastructure capabilities, material recovery rates, and waste treatment pathways in target markets.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions for a single 120-gram wet pet food pouch including all upstream ingredients, packaging materials, and manufacturing processes.

• Scope 3 emissions dominate at 80% primarily due to animal protein ingredient production and associated land use impacts from livestock farming operations.

• The functional unit captures one complete pouch as typically purchased and consumed, excluding consumer transportation and disposal phases.

• Regional regulatory differences affecting recycled content mandates and packaging design requirements are not reflected in the baseline assessment.

• Data limitations exist around emerging bio-based barrier materials and novel protein sources that may significantly alter future emission profiles.

• The assessment excludes potential carbon sequestration benefits from sustainable agriculture practices in ingredient supply chains.