Carbon Footprint of Acetal

Acetal, also known as polyoxymethylene (POM), is a durable engineering plastic commonly used in apparel and footwear for components like zipper sliders, buckles, snap fasteners, and eyelets due to its strength and low friction properties. The carbon footprint of acetal averages approximately 6.8 kg CO₂e per kg, making it a relatively carbon-intensive plastic compared to some alternatives, though its longevity and performance can offset impacts in demanding applications.

What’s are the CO2e emissions of Acetal

What’s are the CO2e emissions of Acetal?

The carbon footprint of Acetal averages 6.8 kg CO2e per kg, with a median of 7.2 kg CO2e per kg. These CO2 emissions from Acetal production are primarily driven by the energy-intensive polymerization process and formaldehyde synthesis, making greenhouse gas emissions from Acetal notably higher than many conventional plastics.
  • Average footprint per kg: 6.8 kgCO2e
  • Median footprint per kg: 7.2 kgCO2e

Emissions by Process Step in Acetal Production

The footprint of Acetal includes emissions from multiple processing stages. The following process steps were identified as carbon hotspots for Acetal production:
  • Raw Materials: 77.0%
  • Molding And Curing: 14.5%
  • Mixing And Preparation: 8.5%
Emissions by Process Step in Acetal Production
How Does Acetal Compare to Alternatives?

How Does Acetal Compare to Alternatives?

Virgin acetal production generates 6.8 kg CO2e per kg, while recycled acetal produces significantly higher emissions at 20.8 kg CO2e per kg, making virgin material the lower-carbon option.
  • Virgin Acetal per kg: 6.8 kgCO2e
  • Recycled Acetal per kg: 20.8 kgCO2e

Acetal Water Consumption

Water usage Acetal averages 11.5 m3 per kg for virgin production, while the water footprint Acetal per kg from recycled sources is 17.0 m3, making Acetal water consumption notably higher when using recycled material.
  • Average water use per kg: 11.5 m3
  • Median water use per kg: 12.4 m3
Acetal Water Consumption

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References

Data sourced from Carbonfact’s proprietary database, powered by over 50 million LCAs run on textile, fashion, and footwear products. The methodology is aligned with the EU Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and adapted for product category specificity.

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