Carbon Footprint Analysis:
At Ucomposites, sustainability is at the core of our business. To substantiate our commitment and ensure transparent reporting Ucomposites partnered with Rambøll, a renowned consultancy in sustainability, to conduct a comprehensive Carbon Footprint Analysis. This analysis, based on ISO 14067 standards, provides an in-depth evaluation of the carbon footprint of our recycled materials.
Key Findings of the Product Carbon Footprint Analysis (PCF) cradle-to-Ucomposites’ Gate
The study assessed all of Ucomposites’ products. Among these Umatic Nonwoven Sustainable E-Glass Fiber (UMAFO-01) serves as a representative example. The production of 1 ton of UMAFO-01 results in emissions equivalent to as little as 94 kg of CO₂ depending on the geographical location of the sourcing.
The primary sources of these emissions are:
- Upstream transportation of raw materials: 56 kg CO₂ (approx. 60% of total emissions)
- Electricity: 154 kWh per ton of recycled glass fiber which equals to 32.56 kg CO₂ equivalents
- Waste mainly due to poor sorting by waste supplier: Around 1.8 kg CO₂ equivalents per ton
- Packaging materials: 3.42 kg CO₂ equivalents per ton of product
The Impact of Circular Economy Practices
One of the most compelling insights from the PCF analysis is the significant emission reduction achieved through our use of secondary glass fiber. Compared to the traditional production of virgin glass fibers, our circular economy approach results in up to a 95% reduction in carbon emissions. This not only underscores the environmental benefits of using recycled materials but also positions Ucomposites as a leader in sustainable manufacturing.