Tennis Balls (can of 3)

Material Composition Assumptions

The material composition for a standard can of three tennis balls totaling approximately 90 grams is estimated as follows:

• Natural rubber core material comprises roughly 77 grams or 85 percent of total ball weight
• Wool and nylon felt covering accounts for approximately 13 grams or 15 percent of total ball weight
• Pressurized plastic or aluminum cylindrical container with hermetic sealing mechanism
• Chemical adhesives and processing solvents used during manufacturing assembly

The natural rubber serves as the primary structural component providing ball bounce characteristics, while the felt covering delivers surface texture and aerodynamic properties essential for gameplay performance.

Manufacturing Geography

Tennis ball production is heavily concentrated in East Asian countries, particularly China, Thailand, and Malaysia, which collectively account for the vast majority of global output. This manufacturing concentration reflects established rubber processing capabilities, textile production infrastructure, and cost-competitive labor markets in the region.

The carbon intensity of electricity generation in these manufacturing hubs significantly influences the overall emissions profile, with China’s grid intensity averaging 576 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour. Energy-intensive processes including rubber vulcanization, felt production, and pressurization systems directly contribute to the manufacturing carbon footprint through this grid-connected electricity consumption.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
East Asia (China)	576 gCO2/kWh	62	Baseline
Southeast Asia (Thailand)	423 gCO2/kWh	57	-8% lower
Europe (Germany)	366 gCO2/kWh	45	-27% lower
North America (USA)	386 gCO2/kWh	48	-23% lower
India	708 gCO2/kWh	69	+11% higher

Provenance Override Guidance

Suppliers can submit the following data types to override the default CCI score with facility-specific information:

1. Manufacturing facility electricity consumption data with renewable energy certificates or power purchase agreements demonstrating clean energy sourcing
2. Natural rubber sourcing documentation including plantation location, processing methods, and transportation distances to manufacturing facility
3. Wool felt production specifications detailing fiber origins, chemical processing inputs, and dyeing or treatment procedures
4. Transportation and logistics records showing shipping routes, modal splits, and packaging efficiency metrics from raw material suppliers through final distribution
5. End-of-life management programs including take-back initiatives, recycling partnerships, or alternative disposal methods that avoid conventional landfilling

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave emissions including raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and end-of-life disposal for one pressurized can containing three tennis balls
• Scope 3 emissions dominate the footprint due to material-intensive rubber and wool production processes combined with extensive global supply chain transportation requirements
• The functional unit accounts for the complete retail package as typically purchased by consumers rather than individual ball units
• Manufacturing energy consumption estimates exclude facility overhead and focus on direct production processes including vulcanization and pressurization equipment
• Packaging emissions include both the protective cylindrical container and any secondary retail packaging materials
• Data gaps exist for specialized chemical additives used in rubber processing and felt treatment applications