Carbon Footprint Report for Etos Brilpoets Doekjes

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Product Carbon Footprint Analysis Report

Etos Brilpoets Doekjes

Protocol Data (Accounting Standard): GHG Protocol

Senior Sustainability Consultant: Remko Weingarten

Disclaimer: This report is generated based on available data and industry standards, supplemented by plausible assumptions where primary data specific to Etos Brilpoets Doekjes was not publicly accessible. The calculations aim to provide a high-detail estimate of the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) within the defined scope and boundaries.

Product Carbon Footprint Analysis: Etos Brilpoets Doekjes

Generated Date: April 17, 2026

Executive Summary

This report presents a high-detail Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) analysis for one functional unit of “Etos Brilpoets Doekjes,” conducted by Remko Weingarten, Senior Sustainability Consultant. The analysis strictly adheres to the GHG Protocol standards, incorporating the latest 2026 updates, including the Land Sector and Removals (LSR) Standard and the 95% coverage requirement for Scope 3 emissions. The system boundary is defined as \'factory-gate\' (cradle-to-gate), focusing on a European supply chain with final production in the Netherlands. The primary objective is to quantify greenhouse gas emissions (expressed in CO2e) associated with the product\'s lifecycle up to the point it leaves the manufacturing facility, identify key emission hotspots, and provide insights for potential reduction strategies.

1. Define Scope

1.1 Functional Unit

The functional unit for this Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) analysis is defined as 1.0 unit of Etos Brilpoets Doekjes. This unit includes one individual pre-moistened cleaning wipe, its single-use sachet, and a pro-rata share of the outer cardboard box packaging for a standard retail pack (e.g., 1/30th of a 30-count box).

1.2 System Boundary

The system boundary adopted is \'factory-gate\' (cradle-to-gate). This encompasses all emissions from raw material extraction and processing, through manufacturing of components, their transportation to the final production facility, and the assembly and packaging processes at the factory up to the point the finished product is ready for shipment. It explicitly excludes emissions from downstream activities such as distribution to retail, consumer use, and end-of-life disposal.

1.3 Geographic Scope

The Final Production Country is assumed to be the Netherlands. The supply chain focus is predominantly Europe-Focused, meaning that raw material sourcing and component manufacturing are assumed to take place within Europe where feasible, with transportation distances and energy mixes reflecting European averages or specific country data where available.

1.4 Accounting Standard

This PCF analysis strictly adheres to the GHG Protocol standards, including:

Corporate Standard: For classifying direct (Scope 1), indirect from purchased energy (Scope 2), and other indirect (Scope 3) emissions.

Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard: Ensuring comprehensive coverage of value chain emissions.

2026 Land Sector and Removals (LSR) Standard Update: Although Etos Brilpoets Doekjes is not primarily an agricultural product, the LSR Standard, effective January 1, 2027, has been considered. For this product, direct land-use change emissions are considered negligible as the primary materials are synthetic fibers and chemicals. However, any upstream agricultural inputs for minor solution components or cellulose-based packaging (if applicable) would fall under its purview. The standard aims to provide clarity on quantifying land-sector emissions and removals.

2026 Scope 3 Compliance (95% Coverage): As per the proposed revisions to the Scope 3 Standard, this report aims for at least 95% coverage of total required Scope 3 emissions. This is achieved by including all material upstream activities, with a transparent acknowledgment of data assumptions where specific primary data is unavailable.

1.5 Allocation

Emissions are allocated to the functional unit based on mass for raw materials and energy consumption directly attributable to the production of one unit. For shared processes (e.g., manufacturing of chemicals or films used in multiple products), economic allocation or mass allocation is typically used at the background data level. For multi-product facilities at the final production stage, emissions are allocated based on mass or relevant activity data to the Etos Brilpoets Doekjes product line.

2. Map Lifecycle (LCI Inventory Stages) & 3. Collect Data

The lifecycle of Etos Brilpoets Doekjes, up to the factory gate, involves several key stages. Data collection involved identifying the typical materials and processes for similar products and applying representative industry average data points. Where specific data for Etos Brilpoets Doekjes was not available, plausible assumptions based on common wet wipe formulations and packaging were made.

2.1 Product Composition (Per Functional Unit: 1 Wipe + Sachet + Pro-rata Outer Box)

Based on typical cleaning wipes and available ingredient information (Aqua, Alcohol, Alkyl Polyglucoside, Parfum, Citric Acid), along with common packaging, the following composition is assumed:

Table 1: Material Inputs per Functional Unit

Component	Material	Assumed Mass per FU (g)	Scope	Notes
Wipe Fabric	Polyester Microfiber	0.5	Scope 3, Category 1	Common for durable cleaning wipes; derived from fossil fuels.
Cleaning Solution - Water	Water (demineralized)	1.88 (94%)	Scope 3, Category 1	Primary solvent.
Cleaning Solution - Alcohol	Isopropyl Alcohol	0.10 (5%)	Scope 3, Category 1	Common for streak-free cleaning.
Cleaning Solution - Other Actives	Alkyl Polyglucoside, Parfum, Citric Acid	0.02 (1%)	Scope 3, Category 1	Surfactants, fragrance, pH adjuster.
Individual Sachet	PET/Alu/PE Multilayer Film	0.8	Scope 3, Category 1	Standard laminate for wet wipe sachets to ensure barrier properties.
Outer Box (pro-rata)	Folding Boxboard/Cardboard	0.8	Scope 3, Category 1	For a pack of 30 wipes, 25g box / 30 = ~0.8g/wipe.
Total Mass per Functional Unit	4.1

2.2 Energy Inputs (at Production Facility)

Energy consumption at the manufacturing facility (Netherlands) for mixing solution, impregnating wipes, cutting, sealing sachets, and boxing. These are estimations for a highly automated process.

Table 2: Energy Inputs at Production Facility (per Functional Unit)

Energy Type	Assumed Consumption per FU	Unit	Scope	Notes
Electricity	0.005	kWh	Scope 2	For mixing, machinery, lighting.
Natural Gas (for heat)	0.001	kWh	Scope 1	For minor heating/drying processes.

2.3 Transportation

Transportation emissions cover the journey of raw materials and components from their point of production to the final manufacturing facility in the Netherlands. Assuming a Europe-focused supply chain, average road freight distances are used.

Table 3: Transportation Data (Upstream, per Functional Unit)

Component/Material	Assumed Mass (kg)	Assumed Distance (km)	Mode	Scope	Notes
Polyester Fiber	0.0005	1000	Road Freight (Lorry, >16t)	Scope 3, Category 4	From a European chemical supplier.
Isopropyl Alcohol	0.0001	800	Road Freight (Lorry, >16t)	Scope 3, Category 4	From a European chemical supplier.
Other Solution Components	0.00002	800	Road Freight (Lorry, >16t)	Scope 3, Category 4	Aggregated for minor chemicals.
PET/Alu/PE Film	0.0008	1200	Road Freight (Lorry, >16t)	Scope 3, Category 4	From a specialized packaging producer.
Cardboard	0.0008	400	Road Freight (Lorry, >16t)	Scope 3, Category 4	From a European paper mill.

4. Calculate Emissions

Emissions are calculated by multiplying the activity data (mass, energy, tkm) by relevant industry-standard emission factors (CO2e/unit). The emission factors used are representative values derived from databases like Ecoinvent and DEFRA, or similar authoritative sources, tailored to a European context for 2026 where possible.

4.1 Representative Emission Factors Used

Table 4: Key Emission Factors

Activity/Material	Emission Factor (EF)	Unit	Source/Basis
Polyester (virgin fiber)	3.12	kg CO2e/kg	Ecoinvent (fossil-based PET)
Isopropyl Alcohol (production)	2.00	kg CO2e/kg	Plausible Industry Average (Ecoinvent data not publicly shown)
Water (demineralized, processed)	0.001	kg CO2e/kg	Industry Average for treated water
Other Solution Components (avg)	2.50	kg CO2e/kg	Plausible Industry Average for fine chemicals
PET/Alu/PE Film (metallized)	6.31	kg CO2e/kg	CarbonCloud (verified for Alu-PET film)
Cardboard (virgin equivalent)	0.80	kg CO2e/kg	DEFRA/Ecoinvent Average for Boxboard
Electricity (Netherlands Grid Mix, 2026)	0.353	kg CO2e/kWh	Milieubarometer (9% decrease from 2025 avg 0.388 kg CO2e/kWh)
Natural Gas (industrial heat)	0.22	kg CO2e/kWh	Plausible EU Average
Road Freight (>16t, Euro 6)	0.09	kg CO2e/tkm	European Average (e.g., EcoTransIT World data basis)

4.2 Calculated Emissions per Functional Unit (1 Etos Brilpoets Doekje)

Table 5: Detailed Emissions Calculation

Category	Activity	Mass/Energy/TKM	Emission Factor	Total CO2e (kg)	Scope
Scope 1: Direct Emissions (from owned/controlled sources)
On-site Energy	Natural Gas Combustion	0.001 kWh	0.22 kg CO2e/kWh	0.00022	Scope 1
Total Scope 1 Emissions	0.00022
Scope 2: Indirect Emissions (from purchased energy)
Purchased Electricity	Electricity Consumption	0.005 kWh	0.353 kg CO2e/kWh	0.00177	Scope 2
Total Scope 2 Emissions	0.00177
Scope 3: Value Chain Emissions (Purchased Goods & Services, Upstream Transport)
Purchased Goods & Services (Category 1)	Polyester (Wipe Fabric)	0.0005 kg	3.12 kg CO2e/kg	0.00156	Scope 3, Cat 1
Isopropyl Alcohol	0.0001 kg	2.00 kg CO2e/kg	0.00020	Scope 3, Cat 1
Water (Demineralized)	0.00188 kg	0.001 kg CO2e/kg	0.000002	Scope 3, Cat 1
Other Solution Components	0.00002 kg	2.50 kg CO2e/kg	0.00005	Scope 3, Cat 1
PET/Alu/PE Film (Sachet)	0.0008 kg	6.31 kg CO2e/kg	0.00505	Scope 3, Cat 1
Cardboard (Outer Box)	0.0008 kg	0.80 kg CO2e/kg	0.00064	Scope 3, Cat 1
Upstream Transportation (Category 4)	Polyester Transport	0.0005 kg * 1000 km	0.09 kg CO2e/tkm	0.000045	Scope 3, Cat 4
Isopropyl Alcohol Transport	0.0001 kg * 800 km	0.09 kg CO2e/tkm	0.000007	Scope 3, Cat 4
Other Solution Components Transport	0.00002 kg * 800 km	0.09 kg CO2e/tkm	0.000001	Scope 3, Cat 4
PET/Alu/PE Film Transport	0.0008 kg * 1200 km	0.09 kg CO2e/tkm	0.000086	Scope 3, Cat 4
Cardboard Transport	0.0008 kg * 400 km	0.09 kg CO2e/tkm	0.000029	Scope 3, Cat 4
Total Scope 3 Emissions	0.00793
TOTAL PRODUCT CARBON FOOTPRINT (per functional unit)	0.00992

The total Product Carbon Footprint for one functional unit of Etos Brilpoets Doekjes (cradle-to-gate) is calculated to be approximately 0.00992 kg CO2e. This can also be expressed as 9.92 grams CO2e.

5. Review & Report

5.1 Emission Hotspots

The analysis reveals the following key emission hotspots within the defined system boundary:

PET/Alu/PE Multilayer Film (Sachet): This material contributes the largest portion of emissions in Scope 3 (Purchased Goods & Services). Its complex multi-layer structure, often including virgin plastics and aluminum, results in a significantly higher emission factor per kilogram compared to other components. This aligns with industry understanding that packaging can be a major contributor to a product\'s PCF.

Polyester Microfiber (Wipe Fabric): The production of virgin polyester, derived from fossil fuels, is another substantial contributor to Scope 3 emissions.

Purchased Electricity (Scope 2): While the Netherlands\' grid mix is decarbonizing, electricity consumption at the manufacturing site still represents a notable direct operational emission source.

Upstream Transportation: Although individual contributions are small, the aggregation of transport for various raw materials across Europe adds to the overall footprint.

5.2 Reliability and Data Quality

The reliability of this PCF is considered moderate to good, given the constraints of using secondary data and making plausible assumptions for specific product composition where primary data for "Etos Brilpoets Doekjes" was not publicly available.

Strengths: Adherence to GHG Protocol, use of representative industry-standard emission factors (e.g., Ecoinvent, DEFRA, CarbonCloud), and specific regional energy data for the Netherlands. The explicit inclusion of the 2026 LSR Standard consideration and the 95% Scope 3 coverage objective enhance the robustness of the methodology.

Limitations: The specific formulation details of Etos Brilpoets Doekjes (e.g., exact blend of wipe fabric, precise chemical composition beyond general categories) and specific supplier data for raw materials are assumed. These assumptions introduce uncertainty. Actual primary data from Etos\'s supply chain would improve precision.

5.3 Compliance with 2026 GHG Protocol Updates

2026 LSR Update: The Land Sector and Removals (LSR) Standard was released on January 30, 2026, and takes effect on January 1, 2027. For "Etos Brilpoets Doekjes", which primarily uses synthetic fibers and chemicals, direct land-use change emissions are not a significant factor. However, the standard requires reporting land occupation for Scope 1 and Scope 3 when relevant. In this cradle-to-gate analysis, the upstream impacts of raw materials like cellulose-based components (if any) or agricultural inputs for certain chemicals would fall under LSR, though their contribution is expected to be minor for this specific product. This report acknowledges the standard and its implications for more agriculture-intensive products.

Scope 3 95% Coverage: This report has aimed to meet the proposed 95% coverage for required Scope 3 emissions by diligently identifying and calculating emissions for all major material and transport inputs within the cradle-to-gate boundary. The detailed breakdown in Table 5 reflects this commitment to comprehensive inclusion, with any potential minor exclusions falling well below the 5% threshold.

5.4 Recommendations for Emission Reduction

Based on the hotspots identified, the following recommendations are provided to Etos for reducing the PCF of their Brilpoets Doekjes:

Material Innovation for Sachet Packaging: Investigate alternative sachet materials with lower carbon footprints. This could include monomaterial films that are easier to recycle, or materials with a higher recycled content, which can significantly reduce emissions compared to virgin materials.

Sustainable Wipe Fabric: Explore options for the wipe material, such as incorporating recycled polyester or switching to plant-based, biodegradable fibers (e.g., viscose from sustainably managed forests). This would address the emissions associated with virgin synthetic fiber production.

Renewable Energy Procurement: If not already implemented, transition to 100% renewable electricity at the manufacturing facility through direct procurement (e.g., Power Purchase Agreements) or purchase of high-quality energy attribute certificates. This would reduce Scope 2 emissions to near zero.

Supply Chain Engagement: Work with key suppliers (especially for high-impact materials like film and polyester) to understand and improve their production processes, encouraging them to adopt renewable energy and resource efficiency measures.

Transportation Optimization: Optimize logistics for inbound raw materials to reduce distances, improve load factors, and explore lower-emission transport modes where feasible (e.g., rail over road for longer distances within Europe).

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