Plasticisers: Emissions
Why most plasticiser carbon comes before the reactor
What this tab covers The greenhouse-gas footprint per tonne, split by lifecycle phase (feedstock, production, movement, use, end of life), the global total, other environmental impacts, levers and low-carbon routes, India's position, and where the investment opportunity lies. Emission intensity 2.50 t CO2e per t range about 2-3.5 · indicative: 0.38 t anhydride and 0.67 t 2-EH, each roughly 1.5-2.5 t CO2e/t cradle-to-gate, plus esterification steam Global emissions per year 24.0 Mt CO2e per year 2024 · about 9.5 Mt x 2.5 t CO2e/t (indicative)Per t of plasticiser, cradle-to-gate. Intensity: indicative (basis: stoichiometry and typical petrochemical intermediate footprints). Global total: indicative.
Share of footprint by lifecycle phase
Feedstock 75% Production / process 20% Movement 5%Footprint by lifecycle phase
| Phase | Intensity | Share | Main sources of emissions | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feedstock | about 1.9 t CO2e per t (indicative) | 75% | oxo-alcohol and anhydride production from propylene and xylenes | Share indicative. | indicative |
| Production / process | about 0.5 t (indicative) | 20% | steam for esterification and stripping | Share indicative. | indicative |
| Movement | about 0.1 t (indicative) | 5% | tanker and ISO-tank freight | Share indicative. | indicative |
| Use | not applicable for CO2 | – | migration and leaching from products | Human exposure to phthalates through food packaging, toys and medical devices. | indicative |
| End of life | about 2.7 t CO2 per t of DOP if incinerated (74% carbon by weight, stoichiometric) | – | landfill or incineration of PVC | Plasticisers leach in landfill; mechanical recycling of PVC carries legacy phthalates. | indicative |
Other environmental impacts
Endocrine disruption concerns for DEHP and other low phthalates; plasticisers are among the most common indoor and environmental contaminants.
Levers to cut emissions
- Bio-based plasticisers (ESBO, citrates, isosorbide esters)
- Bio-propylene or bio-naphtha-based oxo-alcohols (mass balance)
- Lower-carbon steam for esterification
- Polymeric plasticisers that do not migrate
India
India's plasticiser use is DOP-heavy and import-reliant for 2-EH; no Indian LCA figures found.
Emission figures are indicative global averages from the life-cycle studies named; actual footprints vary widely by site, energy mix and method.Low-carbon routes
| Route | Intensity | Cost premium | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bio-based plasticisers from vegetable oils | not published | not published | commercial at small scale (ESBO widely used as co-plasticiser) | indicative |