Polyester Fleece Jacket

Material Composition Assumptions

The assessment assumes a standard polyester fleece jacket weighing approximately 500 grams with the following material breakdown:

• Polyethylene terephthalate fabric: 450g (90%)
• Ethylene glycol residuals: 15g (3%)
• Terephthalic acid components: 20g (4%)
• Dispersed dyes and colorants: 10g (2%)
• Chemical finishes and flame retardants: 5g (1%)

The polyester construction provides insulation through brushed synthetic fibers that trap air while maintaining lightweight properties typical of outdoor apparel.

Manufacturing Geography

China dominates global polyester fleece production, accounting for over 60% of worldwide synthetic textile manufacturing capacity. The country’s extensive petrochemical infrastructure enables integrated production from crude oil refining through fiber spinning and garment assembly. Manufacturing predominantly occurs in eastern provinces including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong, where textile industrial clusters benefit from established supply chains and skilled workforce availability. The grid intensity of 555 gCO2e/kWh reflects China’s continued reliance on coal-fired power generation, though renewable energy adoption is gradually increasing in major manufacturing regions.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2e/kWh	43	Baseline
Turkey	387 gCO2e/kWh	37	-14%
European Union	275 gCO2e/kWh	31	-28%
Vietnam	465 gCO2e/kWh	40	-7%
India	708 gCO2e/kWh	49	+14%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Factory-specific electricity consumption data showing actual kWh usage per kilogram of finished fleece fabric production
2. Renewable energy certificates or power purchase agreements demonstrating clean electricity sourcing for manufacturing operations
3. Chemical inventory documentation listing specific dyes, finishing agents, and processing chemicals with corresponding usage quantities
4. Transportation records detailing shipping methods, distances, and logistics pathways from raw material sources through final distribution
5. Recycled content verification showing percentage of post-consumer or post-industrial polyester incorporated into the final product

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave lifecycle emissions including raw material extraction, manufacturing, use phase impacts, and end-of-life disposal assumptions
• Scope 3 emissions dominate the footprint due to energy-intensive polyester production processes and ongoing laundering requirements throughout garment lifespan
• Functional unit encompasses one complete fleece jacket assuming 50 wash cycles over typical product lifetime
• Assessment excludes packaging materials, retail infrastructure, and consumer transportation to purchase location
• Microfiber shedding environmental impacts during washing cycles remain unquantified due to limited characterization factors for aquatic ecosystem effects