Back to Case StudiesTextiles
Sustainable Textile Production
LCA of organic cotton vs. synthetic polyester in garment production.
Executive Summary
A detailed comparison of natural and synthetic fibers, analyzing water consumption, pesticide use, and microplastic shedding during the use phase.
Key Impact Indicators
Carbon Footprint
12.8kg CO2 eq
Water Footprint
2500Liters
Eutrophication
0.045kg P eq
Key Findings
- 1
Organic cotton reduces toxicity impact by 60% due to the elimination of synthetic pesticides.
- 2
Synthetic polyester has a significantly lower water footprint but contributes to microplastic pollution.
- 3
Dyeing and finishing processes represent the primary chemical hotspot in the textile life cycle.
Impact Breakdown
Fiber Production70%
Yarn & Fabric15%
Dyeing & Finishing10%
Consumer Use5%
* Breakdown represents the percentage contribution to the primary environmental hotspot.
Run this analysis for your product
NovaLCA provides the tools to replicate these assessments with your specific data.
Get Started