Women's Blouse (polyester)
ApparelCarbon Cost Index Score
Per kg
Methodology v1.0 · Last reviewed 2026-04-08
Scope Breakdown
| Scope | kgCO₂e | % of Total | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 3.4 | 8% | |
| Scope 2 | 6.3 | 15% | |
| Scope 3 | 32.3 | 77% | |
| Total | 42 | 100% |
Emission Hotspots
| Emission Hotspot | Scope | Est. % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| use phase washing | S3 | 50% |
| polyester fiber production | S1 | 25% |
| dyeing and finishing | S1 | 15% |
| transportation distribution | S3 | 8% |
| end of life disposal | S3 | 2% |
Manufacturing Geography
- Region
- South Asia
- Grid Intensity
- 632 kgCO2e/MWh (IEA 2023 average for South Asia textile manufacturing)
Material Composition Assumptions
The default polyester women’s blouse consists entirely of polyethylene terephthalate fibers, commonly known as PET. A typical blouse weighs approximately 150 grams and contains 100% synthetic polyester material without natural fiber blends. The garment includes standard components such as buttons, thread, and labels that add minimal weight but contribute to overall manufacturing complexity. This composition reflects mainstream fast fashion and mid-market clothing production where pure synthetic materials dominate due to cost efficiency and durability characteristics.
Manufacturing Geography
Primary production occurs in South Asian textile manufacturing hubs, particularly Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam, where established supply chains and labor cost advantages drive global polyester garment production. These regions operate with grid electricity averaging 632 kgCO2e per megawatt-hour, significantly higher than European manufacturing zones. The concentration of polyester fiber production, textile dyeing facilities, and garment assembly operations within these geographic clusters reduces intermediate transportation but increases carbon intensity due to coal-dependent electricity generation.
Regional Variation
| Manufacturing Region | Grid Intensity | Estimated CCI Score | Adjustment vs Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Asia (default) | 632 kgCO2e/MWh | 42 | 0% |
| Europe | 295 kgCO2e/MWh | 29 | -31% |
| North America | 386 kgCO2e/MWh | 35 | -17% |
| East Asia | 578 kgCO2e/MWh | 39 | -7% |
| Southeast Asia | 695 kgCO2e/MWh | 45 | +7% |
Provenance Override Guidance
- Polyester fiber production certificates showing actual emissions per kilogram of PET material used, including upstream petrochemical processing data
- Textile dyeing and finishing facility energy consumption records with specific electricity source documentation and chemical treatment processes
- Garment assembly facility location with regional grid intensity verification and manufacturing energy consumption per unit
- Transportation logistics documentation covering fiber-to-fabric, fabric-to-garment, and distribution shipping distances and methods
- End-of-life management programs demonstrating concrete recycling or reuse pathways that differ from standard disposal assumptions
Methodology Notes
- The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave emissions including material production, manufacturing, distribution, consumer use phase, and disposal
- Scope 3 emissions dominate due to washing and care throughout garment lifetime, typically spanning 50 wash cycles over two years of active use
- Functional unit assumes standard consumer behavior including weekly washing at 40 degrees Celsius with machine drying
- Transportation emissions include intercontinental shipping from manufacturing region to major consumer markets in North America and Europe
- Data gaps exist around specific dyeing chemistry variations and regional differences in consumer care behaviors
- End-of-life modeling assumes standard municipal waste disposal with minimal recycling recovery of polyester fibers
Related Concepts
Sources
- European Commission 2023 Environmental Sustainability Assessment — Comprehensive lifecycle assessment framework for textile products identifying key environmental impact drivers.
- Parchment et al. 2023 Journal of Environmental Management — Quantitative analysis showing washing frequency reduction can decrease garment environmental impacts by 37 percent.
- van der Velden et al. 2014 International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment — Foundational study establishing that polyester fiber production emits 13.40 tonnes CO2-equivalent per ton of material.
- Beton et al. 2014 Textiles and Clothing LCA Database — Industry database documenting that garment reuse by second consumers reduces environmental impacts by 18 percent.
- Shen et al. 2023 Sustainability Review — Recent analysis demonstrating that textile reuse avoids 70 times more environmental impact than new garment production.