How to Report CO₂ Emissions in Plastics Manufacturing and Meet ESG Compliance

of Dr. Magdalena Laabs April 9, 2025

Author: Dr. Magdalena Laabs
Plastics Processing Industry Expert | Rolbatch Academy

What is the best way to report CO₂ emissions in plastic production?

If you're a plastics manufacturer, you’ve probably already noticed: environmental reporting is no longer limited to big corporations. Today, even small plastics processors must provide CO₂ data to remain part of industrial supply chains.

Whether or not you fall under CSRD obligations, your clients are under pressure to account for emissions across their entire supplier network. That means they need figures — not assumptions. Knowing how to report CO₂ emissions in plastics manufacturing is quickly becoming a competitive advantage.

How to calculate CO₂ emissions per kg of plastic product

Plastics companies are increasingly asked to provide the carbon footprint per kilogram of product. For example:

Virgin LDPE: ~1.9–2.2 kg CO₂ per kg
Recycled LDPE: ~0.7–0.9 kg CO₂ per kg
PP: ~1.6–1.9 kg CO₂ per kg
PET: ~2.3–2.8 kg CO₂ per kg

These values depend on production methods, geographic origin, and energy source. Companies using this data correctly are able to provide consistent, auditable numbers that align with customer ESG strategies.

Understanding how to calculate CO₂ emissions per kg is the first step to reporting them effectively.

How to respond to ESG and Scope 3 emissions requests

Large customers — especially those in automotive, FMCG, or packaging — now expect their suppliers to contribute Scope 3 data. That includes you, even if you’re a small processor.
To respond professionally, you need to know the difference between:

Scope 1: direct emissions from fuel use on-site (e.g. forklifts, heating)
Scope 2: indirect emissions from purchased electricity
Scope 3: emissions from upstream materials, transportation, packaging, waste

Learning how to track Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in plastics manufacturing is now essential for your company’s credibility.

How to report CO₂ emissions using supplier-specific data

To report emissions effectively, you need a system. That doesn't mean expensive software. A spreadsheet or dedicated calculator is enough — as long as you follow these steps:

Identify material types and weight in each batch (e.g. LDPE regranulate – 3,000 kg)
Assign a CO₂ value to each material based on verified datasets (e.g. PlasticsEurope)
Include emissions from energy use – by multiplying kWh by national CO₂ factors
Add transport data – based on weight and kilometers

Most importantly, you need consistency. If a client asks twice, your answer should not change.

Companies using our CO₂ emissions calculator for plastics processors get results that are clear, logical, and easy to explain to procurement teams.

How to prepare for CBAM and CSRD without consultants

You don’t need to hire consultants or ESG firms to begin reporting. What you do need is basic competence in the following areas:

How to calculate CO₂ emissions per kWh of electricity used in processing
How to convert raw data into emission values
How to store and present emission data for audits or client reviews
How to apply reporting formats that match CBAM/CSRD logic

Our training offers video-based lessons, real-world examples from extrusion and injection molding, and editable templates for your internal records.

How to report carbon footprint data in supplier declarations

Many companies now require supplier declarations with environmental data. If you don’t deliver, you’re marked as non-compliant.

You need to know:

What counts as sufficient data
What format to present it in
What level of precision is expected
How often to update it

That’s why we built our online course for plastics companies on how to report CO₂ emissions — with videos, worksheets, and sample declarations.

ESG compliance is now a customer expectation, not just a regulation

Whether you're extruding profiles, blow molding bottles, or producing technical parts — your clients expect you to know your numbers. If you don’t, they might move to someone who does.

And if you're waiting for a legal obligation — you’ll be too late.
Knowing how to report CO₂ emissions in plastics manufacturing is becoming the new standard.

If you're looking for a simple way to calculate your emissions and meet client expectations, explore our CO₂ calculator designed specifically for plastics processors. It helps you track materials, energy use, and transport data — even if you've never reported before.

CO₂ Emissions Course and Calculator for Plastics Processing Companies

For companies that want to build real competence in ESG-related reporting, we offer a full online course: “CO₂ Emissions in Plastics Processing – How to Calculate, Report, and Reduce Them”. The course includes:

video lessons with real-life manufacturing examples,
case studies based on extrusion, blow molding and injection,
templates for internal and client-facing documents,
and an audiobook that explains the entire process step by step.

You can also visit our blog to read more on topics such as:

how to respond to ESG questionnaires,
CBAM and supplier obligations,
or the difference between Scope 1, 2 and 3 in industrial reporting.

Also check out:
on CO₂ footprint, ESG, and sustainability
– Online courses: [Read more here →]
– Our blog articles: [Read more here →]

By Dr. Magdalena Laabs
Plastics Processing Industry Expert
Rolbatch Academy