Carbon Footprint of Polytetrafluoroethylene

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known by the brand name Teflon, is a synthetic fluoropolymer plastic used in apparel and footwear for waterproof membranes, durable water repellent (DWR) finishes, and high-performance technical fabrics. The carbon footprint of polytetrafluoroethylene averages approximately 133 kg CO₂e per kg, making it one of the most carbon-intensive materials in the textile industry due to its complex chemical manufacturing process.

What’s are the CO2e emissions of Polytetrafluoroethylene

What’s are the CO2e emissions of Polytetrafluoroethylene?

The carbon footprint of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) ranges from 133.0 kg CO2e per kg (average) to 145.2 kg CO2e per kg (median), driven by energy-intensive fluorination processes and fluorocarbon precursors. These substantial CO2 emissions and greenhouse gas emissions from Polytetrafluoroethylene make it one of the most carbon-intensive polymers.
  • Average footprint per kg: 133.0 kgCO2e
  • Median footprint per kg: 145.2 kgCO2e

Emissions by Process Step in Polytetrafluoroethylene Production

The footprint of Polytetrafluoroethylene includes emissions from multiple processing stages. The following process steps were identified as carbon hotspots for Polytetrafluoroethylene production:
  • Raw Materials: 98.9%
  • Molding And Curing: 0.7%
  • Mixing And Preparation: 0.4%
Emissions by Process Step in Polytetrafluoroethylene Production

Polytetrafluoroethylene Water Consumption

Water usage Polytetrafluoroethylene averages 14.9 m3 per kg for virgin production. Understanding the water footprint Polytetrafluoroethylene per kg helps industries assess Polytetrafluoroethylene water consumption impacts in manufacturing processes.
  • Average water use per kg: 14.9 m3
  • Median water use per kg: 29.0 m3

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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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