Shower Curtain (PEVA)

Shower curtains manufactured from polyethylene vinyl acetate represent a chlorine-free alternative to traditional polyvinyl chloride bathroom barriers. These products eliminate dioxin emissions during both production and end-of-life disposal while maintaining water resistance and durability for residential bathroom applications.

The material requires fossil fuel feedstocks for polymer synthesis and demands significant energy inputs during manufacturing processes. Extrusion and processing operations consume substantial electricity, contributing to the overall carbon footprint of the finished product.

Material Composition Assumptions

The assessment assumes a typical shower curtain weighing approximately 300 grams with the following material breakdown:

• Polyethylene base polymer: 180-270 grams (60-90%)
• Vinyl acetate copolymer: 30-120 grams (10-40%)
• Processing aids and stabilizers: 15 grams (5%)

The polymer composition provides flexibility and water resistance while avoiding chlorinated compounds found in traditional vinyl alternatives.

Manufacturing Geography

Production concentrates primarily in China’s petrochemical manufacturing regions, leveraging established polymer processing infrastructure and proximity to raw material suppliers. The Chinese electrical grid operates at 555 gCO2e per kilowatt-hour, directly influencing the carbon intensity of energy-dependent manufacturing processes including polymerization and extrusion operations.

This geographic concentration reflects cost advantages in polymer processing capabilities and integration with upstream petrochemical supply chains serving global markets.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2e/kWh	3.2	Baseline
United States (Texas)	390 gCO2e/kWh	2.8	-12.5%
Germany	310 gCO2e/kWh	2.5	-21.9%
India	650 gCO2e/kWh	3.6	+12.5%
France	85 gCO2e/kWh	1.9	-40.6%

Provenance Override Guidance

Suppliers can submit the following data types to override the default CCI score:

1. Facility-specific electricity consumption data with renewable energy certificates or grid emission factors
2. Transportation distance and mode documentation from manufacturing facility to distribution centers
3. Raw material supplier carbon intensity data for polyethylene and vinyl acetate feedstocks
4. End-of-life recycling program participation rates and processing facility locations
5. Process efficiency metrics including energy consumption per unit of material processed

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave emissions for a standard residential shower curtain including material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, and end-of-life disposal
• Scope 3 emissions dominate the assessment due to upstream petrochemical impacts and landfill persistence assumptions
• Functional unit defined as one complete shower curtain suitable for standard residential bathroom installation
• Assessment excludes packaging materials, retail storage, and consumer transportation from point of sale
• Limited recycling infrastructure creates uncertainty in end-of-life impact calculations across different geographic markets
• Microplastic formation potential during use phase requires additional research for comprehensive impact quantification