Surfboard (foam/fiberglass)

Material Composition Assumptions

The CCI score assumes a standard 6-foot shortboard weighing approximately 2.6 kg with the following material composition:

• Polyurethane foam core blank (1,800g, 69%) or Expanded Polystyrene foam alternative
• Polyester resin laminate coating (400g, 15%) applied during hand-laying process
• E-glass fiberglass cloth reinforcement (300g, 12%) providing structural integrity
• Wood stringer internal support structure (80g, 3%) typically made from redwood or balsa
• Hardware including fin boxes and leash plugs (20g, 1%) made from plastic and metal components

Traditional polyurethane foam cores paired with polyester resin represent the highest-emission configuration, while expanded polystyrene cores with epoxy resin systems offer improved environmental performance at higher material costs.

Manufacturing Geography

Surfboard production is concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, Thailand, and Taiwan, which collectively manufacture approximately 75% of global foam-blank surfboards. These facilities benefit from established petrochemical supply chains for foam and resin production, lower labor costs, and proximity to major surfboard brand headquarters.

The regional grid intensity of 0.57 kg CO2/kWh reflects China’s coal-heavy electricity mix, significantly impacting the manufacturing energy footprint. Traditional surfboard shaping and lamination processes require substantial facility heating, ventilation systems for volatile organic compound management, and energy-intensive foam cutting equipment.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China/Thailand	0.57 kg CO2/kWh	18 kg CO2e	Baseline
California, USA	0.25 kg CO2/kWh	15 kg CO2e	-17%
Queensland, Australia	0.45 kg CO2/kWh	17 kg CO2e	-6%
Portugal/France	0.35 kg CO2/kWh	16 kg CO2e	-11%
Hawaii, USA	0.65 kg CO2/kWh	19 kg CO2e	+6%

Provenance Override Guidance

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

1. Foam blank material specification with supplier-specific emission factors for polyurethane, EPS, or bio-based alternatives including recycled content percentages
2. Resin system documentation detailing polyester versus epoxy formulations, bio-content ratios, and volatile organic compound emission profiles
3. Manufacturing facility energy consumption data with local grid intensity factors and renewable energy procurement agreements
4. Production waste stream analysis quantifying material losses, off-cuts recycling rates, and disposal methods for contaminated materials
5. Transportation logistics for raw materials including foam blank shipping distances and modal split between ocean freight and trucking

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions for a finished surfboard ready for retail distribution, excluding end-of-life disposal impacts
• Scope 2 emissions dominate due to energy-intensive manufacturing processes including foam cutting, resin curing, and facility ventilation requirements for worker safety
• Scope 3 upstream emissions reflect the petrochemical-intensive nature of foam and resin production supply chains
• The functional unit assumes a standard recreational surfboard with 10-year lifespan under typical usage patterns
• Manufacturing waste represents a significant emission hotspot due to material losses during shaping and the non-recyclable nature of cured resin-fiberglass composites
• Regional variations primarily reflect electricity grid carbon intensity differences, as material transportation distances have minimal impact on total footprint
• Bio-based and recycled material alternatives can substantially reduce emissions but require supplier-specific data for accurate quantification