Carbon Footprint of Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is a versatile plastic material widely used in apparel and footwear for applications like waterproof membranes, elastic components, and durable shoe soles due to its flexibility and abrasion resistance. The carbon footprint of Thermoplastic Polyurethane averages 9.75 kg CO₂e per kg, making it a relatively carbon-intensive material compared to many textile alternatives.

What’s are the CO2e emissions of Thermoplastic Polyurethane

What’s are the CO2e emissions of Thermoplastic Polyurethane?

The carbon footprint of Thermoplastic Polyurethane averages 9.8 kg CO2e per kg (median 10.2 kg CO2e), with CO2 emissions from Thermoplastic Polyurethane primarily driven by energy-intensive polymerization processes and petroleum-based raw materials. Greenhouse gas emissions from Thermoplastic Polyurethane production reflect the material's complex chemical synthesis and fossil fuel dependency.
  • Average footprint per kg: 9.8 kgCO2e
  • Median footprint per kg: 10.2 kgCO2e

Emissions by Process Step in Thermoplastic Polyurethane Production

The footprint of Thermoplastic Polyurethane includes emissions from multiple processing stages. The following process steps were identified as carbon hotspots for Thermoplastic Polyurethane production:
  • Raw Materials: 70.8%
  • Molding And Curing: 25.3%
  • Mixing And Preparation: 4.0%
Emissions by Process Step in Thermoplastic Polyurethane Production
How Does Thermoplastic Polyurethane Compare to Alternatives?

How Does Thermoplastic Polyurethane Compare to Alternatives?

Recycled thermoplastic polyurethane production generates 4.9 kg CO2e per kg, representing a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to virgin material production at 9.8 kg CO2e per kg.
  • Virgin Thermoplastic Polyurethane per kg: 9.8 kgCO2e
  • Recycled Thermoplastic Polyurethane per kg: 4.9 kgCO2e

Thermoplastic Polyurethane Water Consumption

The water footprint Thermoplastic Polyurethane per kg averages 8.6 m3 for virgin material, while Thermoplastic Polyurethane water consumption drops significantly to 0.7 m3 when recycled, demonstrating substantial water usage Thermoplastic Polyurethane reduction benefits.
  • Average water use per kg: 8.6 m3
  • Median water use per kg: 9.2 m3
Thermoplastic Polyurethane 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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