Carbon Footprint of Resin: LCA Benchmark (10,000 Simulations)
Last updated: 2026-07-24
Based on 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations using Ecoinvent 3.9.1 and a range of published LCA data sources, the median carbon footprint of resin is 7.1 kg CO₂e per kilogram. Results span from 4.9 kg CO₂e/kg at the 10th percentile to 11.5 kg CO₂e/kg at the 90th percentile, reflecting the significant variability in resin types, feedstocks, and production processes. Raw material extraction and manufacturing together account for over 95% of lifecycle emissions, making these the primary focus for emissions reduction efforts.
How Much CO₂ Does Resin Produce?
Impact Score Scale (A to E)
| Score | Rating | Range |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | 0.00 – 5.66 kg CO₂e/kg |
| B | Good | 5.66 – 6.63 kg CO₂e/kg |
| C | Average | 6.63 – 7.54 kg CO₂e/kg |
| D | Below Average | 7.54 – 9.37 kg CO₂e/kg |
| E | High Impact | 9.37 – + kg CO₂e/kg |
Phase Contribution Overview
LCA Phase Breakdown: Where Do the Emissions Come From?
| Phase | Median (kg CO₂e) | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Materials | 3.61 | |
| Manufacturing | 3.00 | |
| Packaging | 0.12 | |
| Transport | 0.21 | |
| Use Phase | 0.00 | |
| End of Life | 0.03 |
Key Findings
- The median carbon footprint of resin is 7.1 kg CO₂e per kg, with a mean of 7.6 kg CO₂e/kg, indicating a right-skewed distribution driven by higher-impact resin variants.
- There is substantial variability across resin types: the 10th–90th percentile range spans 4.9 to 11.5 kg CO₂e/kg, a spread of 6.6 kg CO₂e/kg, reflecting differences in feedstock origin and production technology.
- Raw material extraction is the largest contributor to the carbon footprint, accounting for 54.7% of total emissions, followed closely by manufacturing processes at 40.8%.
- End-of-life and use-phase emissions are negligible, together contributing less than 0.5% of total lifecycle emissions, while transport (2.5%) and packaging (1.6%) play minor but non-trivial roles.
How This Benchmark Compares to Published Data
| Product / Study | Source | CO₂e |
|---|---|---|
| Recycled HDPE / PP vs Virgin — Franklin Associates APR LCI (lower bound estimate) | Franklin Associates / APR LCI Report (2018, updated 2020) | 0.50 per kg |
| Polyethylene (PE) Resin Virgin — Industry LCA Range (lower bound) | PolyExpert / Industry LCA Databases (Apr 2026) | 1.70 per kg |
| Bio-PET Resin Cradle-to-Gate Range — Walker & Rothman Review (lower bound) | ScienceDirect / Walker & Rothman (2020) — review of 56 studies | 2.00 per kg |
| Virgin vs. Recycled Plastic Life Cycle Assessment Energy ... | NAPCOR / Franklin Associates via APR (2020) | 2.23 per kg |
| EnviPOXY Bio-Based Epoxy Resin EPD (SPOLCHEMIE) — implied standard epoxy baseline (lower) | SPOLCHEMIE / Barcelonesa (2025) / Environdec EPD Program | 6.00 per kg |
| Techno-economic and life cycle assessment of lignin-based blended resin for 3D printing - ScienceDirect | ScienceDirect | 6.64 kg CO2e/kg |
Methodology: ISO 14040 Monte Carlo Simulation
This benchmark is derived from 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations using background inventory data from Ecoinvent 3.9.1, cross-referenced with published EPDs and peer-reviewed LCA studies, in alignment with ISO 14040/44 principles for life cycle assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the carbon footprint of resin?
Based on our benchmark of 10,000 simulations, the median carbon footprint of resin is 7.1 kg CO₂e per kilogram. The mean is 7.6 kg CO₂e/kg. The range is wide: lower-impact resins fall around 4.9 kg CO₂e/kg (P10), while higher-impact variants can reach 11.5 kg CO₂e/kg (P90). This variability reflects the diversity of resin chemistries, feedstocks, and manufacturing processes in the market.
How is this benchmark calculated?
We run 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations drawing on Ecoinvent 3.9.1 background data, published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and peer-reviewed LCA studies. Each simulation samples from probability distributions for key input parameters, producing a statistical distribution of outcomes rather than a single point estimate. This approach, consistent with ISO 14040/44, captures real-world uncertainty and variability across resin types and supply chains.
Which life cycle phase contributes the most?
Raw material extraction is the dominant phase, contributing 54.7% of the total carbon footprint of resin. Manufacturing is the second largest contributor at 40.8%. Together, these two upstream phases account for over 95% of lifecycle emissions. Transport contributes 2.5%, packaging 1.6%, and end-of-life just 0.4%. The use phase contributes effectively zero emissions, which is typical for a material product.
How can I reduce the carbon footprint of my resin?
Since raw materials (54.7%) and manufacturing (40.8%) dominate emissions, those are the highest-leverage areas. On the raw materials side, consider sourcing resins made from recycled feedstocks, bio-based inputs, or suppliers with lower-carbon supply chains. For manufacturing, resins produced using renewable energy or more energy-efficient processes will generally have a lower footprint. At the margin, optimizing logistics can reduce the transport contribution (2.5%), and selecting minimal or recycled-content packaging addresses the packaging share (1.6%).
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