Yoga Mat

Material Composition Assumptions

Standard yoga mats measure 173 x 61 cm (68” x 24”) with 6mm thickness and weigh approximately 3.4 kg (7.5 lbs). The default reference product assumes: 48% of yoga mats are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

• the most common material comprising 85% of total weight (2.9 kg), with the remainder consisting of additives including plasticizers such as phthalates for flexibility, stabilizers (heavy metals like lead and organotins), and colorants (chromium and cadmium compounds). Modern PVC mats use dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) as a phthalate substitute, though data gaps remain regarding its hormonal interference potential.

Manufacturing Geography

China’s grid carbon intensity averages 580 gCO2e/kWh in 2024, significantly higher than global averages. Manufacturing is concentrated in China and Southeast Asia due to cost advantages and established PVC production infrastructure. China has struggled to meet carbon intensity reduction targets, achieving only 12% reduction by 2024 against an 18% target by 2025. PVC production is highly energy-intensive, requiring cancer-causing chemicals and producing high volumes of toxic waste including dioxins. The region’s coal-heavy electricity mix drives the high manufacturing emissions, though renewable capacity additions are accelerating.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	580 gCO2e/kWh	4.0 kg CO2e	Baseline
Southeast Asia	520 gCO2e/kWh	3.7 kg CO2e	-7%
India	650 gCO2e/kWh	4.4 kg CO2e	+10%
Europe	280 gCO2e/kWh	2.8 kg CO2e	-30%
North America	320 gCO2e/kWh	3.1 kg CO2e	-22%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) - Third-party verified LCA studies following ISO 14040/14044 standards with cradle-to-gate boundaries
2. Manufacturing energy data - Actual electricity and heat consumption records from production facilities with renewable energy certificates where applicable
3. Material sourcing documentation - Supplier-specific PVC resin carbon footprints and alternative material specifications (TPE, natural rubber, cork)
4. Transportation records - Actual shipping distances, modes, and fuel consumption data from manufacturing to distribution centers
5. Production efficiency metrics - Waste reduction programs, yield rates, and process optimization measures that reduce per-unit emissions

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate embodied carbon including raw material extraction, production, and transportation to retail distribution

PVC demonstrates poor biodegradability and high carbon emissions during production compared to alternative materials like cork forests that can absorb over 20 million tons of CO2 annually

• Scope 3 dominates at 50% due to PVC polymer production requiring vinyl chloride monomer and extensive chemical processing

• Use-phase emissions are excluded as yoga mats are passive products, though 910,000 tons of PVC waste are generated annually with less than 0.25% recovery for recycling

• End-of-life disposal impacts are excluded per CCI methodology, despite PVC mats taking hundreds of years to decompose in landfills

• Key data gaps include variability in manufacturing processes and limited transparency in proprietary TPE and PU formulations used in alternative materials